Kickoff and Punt Returners in Draft

Originally posted by Ninefan56:
My summary is that the following are the potential draft picks that would help us:

1. Spiller
2. Owusu-Ansa
3. Shipley

Interestingly enough, Arenas also looks like a solid returner with TD abilities who could be had in the third or fourth, too.

We do have options other than Spiller. That said, I don't think that anyone comes real close to Spiller from a RS production perspective.

I wonder how Spiller's college stats compares to Maclin, Harvin, Jackson, etc. as these were players who we wanted as RS specialists in the past.

Spiller is still my #1 choice...just after him is Trent Williams. I would love for both of those to be our choices. At least one, please.

By the way, Kudos to the noob who has his act together...refreshing!

Originally posted by ninertico:

Originally posted by Ninefan56:
My summary is that the following are the potential draft picks that would help us:

1. Spiller
2. Owusu-Ansa
3. Shipley

Interestingly enough, Arenas also looks like a solid returner with TD abilities who could be had in the third or fourth, too.

We do have options other than Spiller. That said, I don't think that anyone comes real close to Spiller from a RS production perspective.

I wonder how Spiller's college stats compares to Maclin, Harvin, Jackson, etc. as these were players who we wanted as RS specialists in the past.

Spiller is still my #1 choice...just after him is Trent Williams. I would love for both of those to be our choices. At least one, please.

By the way, Kudos to the noob who has his act together...refreshing!

Takeo Spikes on live chat on nfl.com yesterday talking about his first round druthers:
"Hector, Visalia, California
If you were in charge of the two first rounds picks of this year’s draft, what would be your strategy for the 49ers?

Spikes: I would say offensive line and I would go for a two-for-one special — someone who is a return specialist who can also play running back."

Now I'm not saying Takeo has McCloughan's ear, but there is some serious Spiller handwriting on the wall of the '9ers board. I think Williams/Spiller or Spiller/Williams/Bulaga/Iupati/Davis is what they're hoping for. Might not fall their way and they'll go to Plan B (Graham, trade back, DE maybe), but this sure seems like Plan A to me. I'm ready for the draft now!

if we don't address the need for a Return Specialist this off season............ A reliable return man is PRICELESS!!! I'm still pissed we cut Rossum with no backup plan. Cost us at least a couple games.

Well done, ColdFan.

It's all about finding the PR guy. KR will take care of itself.

I'm still not sure that Singletary wants to trust turnover-prone PR duties to a rookie, but if he does, the 3 PR guys who caught my attention in these stats are:

CB Owusu-Ansah (also good height for a CB)
CB Arenas (may be too small for McCloughan, but so many PR reps!)
WR Roberts of The Citadel (have never heard of him before this thread)

All 3 of these guys have noteworthy yards per punt return.

Would have to study film to determine the PR fumble and/or muff performance of these guys.