Potential Punt Returners 2014 Draft Class

There is a possibility that we will be looking for a punt return option in the draft.

It seems almost certain that we will be looking for defensive backs and wide receivers.

Here are players that offer skills at punt returning as well as at their skill positions.

Some of these players are short and light. I included their body mass measurements as well as their heights and weights. I think, but I am not certain, that body mass gives us a better sense of how well they can take hits.



Marcus Williams CB North Dakota St 5-11 195 38.16

Interceptions 18 405 22.50 5
PR 3 78 26.00 0
KR 36 1036 28.78 2

Rashad Green WR Florida St 6-0 175 35.23

Receptions 95 1337 14.07 13
PR 23 308 13.39 2
KR 3 65 21.67 0

Corey Brown WR Ohio St 5-11 190 34.65

Receptions 82 979 11.94 5
PR 24 281 11.71 2
KR 2 44 22.00 0

Ryan Smith WR North Dakota St 5-7 175 34.52

Receptions 93 1080 11.61 3
PR 74 783 10.58 2
KR 25 561 22.44 0

Tramaine Thompson WR Kansas 5-7 170 34.52

Receptions 77 1122 14.57 5
PR 39 535 13.72 1
KR 28 682 24.36 0

Jonathan Kruse WR Vanderbilt 5-11 180 35.23
Receptions 56 483 8.63 0
PR 45 362 8.04 2

This list does not pretend to be all inclusive. I am sure I missed some possibilities.

BJ Daniels /Thread

Buck--have you listed them in any particular order? Or they just all top tier?

Not really.

I listed the defensive back first, because he was the only one
.
He only has a couple of punt returns but his kick off returns and interception returns indict some return skill.

I used this site to look for punt returners.

I did not include running backs as we seem stacked at running back.

http://www.cfbstats.com/2012/leader/national/player/split01/category04/sort01.html

Originally posted by Frisco69ers:
BJ Daniels /Thread

Thanks!

Originally posted by buck:

Originally posted by Frisco69ers:
BJ Daniels /Thread

I think Daniels could be the answer, as a slash player. He has the abilities, so why not give him a shot if Kyle doesn't work out.

Justin Gilbert from Oklahoma State 6' 194 lbs. His highlight reel looked good on returns.

Originally posted by AB83Rules:

Originally posted by buck:

Originally posted by Frisco69ers:
BJ Daniels /Thread

I think Daniels could be the answer, as a slash player. He has the abilities, so why not give him a shot if Kyle doesn't work out.

I never even hinted at not giving giving B.J. Daniels, or anyone else a shot at returning punts.

I said there was a possibility we would be looking for a punt returner in the draft next year.

If B.J. Daniels can return punts, that decrease the possibility.

In 47 games at South Florida, Daniels returned 0 punts and he had 1 kick off return for 0 yards.

It looks like Kyle Williams and LaMichael James will be returning punts this year.

Williams will be a free agent after this year.

Reports indicate that James looks more comfortable fielding punts this year, but we do not know how he will do returning punts.

Originally posted by tohara3:
Justin Gilbert from Ohio State 6' 194 lbs. His highlight reel looked good on returns.

He plays for Oklahoma St.

He returned 8 punts for 55 yards--6.875 yard average.

He returned 84 kick off for 2,228 yards--26.52 yard average. That is pretty impressive.

Black Mamba

Originally posted by 49ers808:
Black Mamba

I did not include running backs, but Thomas has the skills.

De'Anthony Thomas

Rush 127 1296 10.2 18
Receptions 91 1050 11.53 14
PR 16 274 17.125 1
KR 52 1372 26.38 3

AB--They may find a gem from this years crop but it's always good to avoid assumption. The STs really suffered last year, from the kicking game to the return game. The blessing was that they did not fall completely apart and turn the ball over. I'm just as worried about the coverage teams that looked so last at times last year. I'm glad to start with a return specialist though as the other ST units are difficult to analyze, player to player--Costanzo seemed to be greatly missed.

This also may be the only weak spot going into next year's draft if the WRs, CBs and Safeties play well and can be extended.

Originally posted by buck:

Originally posted by tohara3:

Justin Gilbert from Ohio State 6' 194 lbs. His highlight reel looked good on returns.

He plays for Oklahoma St.

He returned 8 punts for 55 yards--6.875 yard average.

He returned 84 kick off for 2,228 yards--26.52 yard average. That is pretty impressive.

Thanks. Was typing and not looking. Haha. Would be a nice addition to the 49ers.