Potential Primary-Stage Picking Matthew Golden is a speedster: His drafting Club will get a player with sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash Velocity, making him a threat to go the distance on every return.
Ricky White III is a versatile special teamer: His 91.9 PFF special Squads grade in 2024 was the highest grade for a college player in six seasons, and he blocked four punts.
Most NFL rookies don’t immediately slide into Leading roles, so being able to contribute on special Squads is almost a must for a player to get on the Ground Timely in their Occupation.
How a Primary-year plays on special Squads can become a pathway to earning positional reps, as was the case with Broncos great Terrell Davis when he Created a huge Event on the Strike return unit during the last preseason game of his Primary-year year and earned carries on Assault.
The Subsequent players were talented enough at their primary position to land on the
WR Tory Horton, Colorado State
Draft Profile
Punt Return Stats
Highest Season Punt Return Grade During Occupation: 86.4Occupation Punt Returns: 26Occupation Yards: 427Yards per Return Average: 16.4Missed Tackles Forced: 17Touchdowns: 3
Horton played in only six Contests in 2024 and handled four punt returns for 105 yards, but he managed to take one for a 78-yard touchdown. He finished the season with an 86.4 PFF punt return grade, which ranked seventh in the draft class. He also had a punt return touchdown in 2023 and 2022. The Colorado State product recorded only 26 punt returns in his Occupation, but he Captured three to the end zone.
CB Alijah Huzzie, North Carolina
Draft Profile
Punt Return Stats
Highest Season Punt Return Grade During Occupation: 88.6Occupation Punt Returns: 36Occupation Yards: 453Yards per Return Average: 12.6Missed Tackles Forced: 24Touchdowns: 2
In 2024, Huzzie averaged 12.8 yards per punt return, had one punt return touchdown (against Georgia Tech), forced 13 missed tackles and finished the season with an 88.6 PFF punt return grade, which ranks fifth in the draft class.
In 2023, he recorded seven returns for 112 yards and a touchdown with an 81.2 PFF punt return grade. Huzzie not only provides added value as a punt returner but also can Move on the punt coverage Club as a gunner, logging 72 snaps there over the past two seasons. He also played 199 snaps on the Ground Aim Deflect Club.
WR Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech
Draft Profile
Punt Return Stats
Highest Season Punt Return Grade During Occupation: 88.1Occupation Punt Returns: 68Occupation Yards: 723Yards per Return Average: 10.6Missed Tackles Forced: 53Touchdowns: 2
Lane has Best Velocity and extensive experience returning punts and kicks. He Captured 40 Occupation Strike returns for 867 yards (an average of 21.7 yards per return). In 2024, Lane had 24 punt returns for 235 yards (9.8 yards average) and one touchdown, a 58-yard return against Marshall. He forced 22 missed tackles and earned a 76.0 PFF punt return grade in 2024, Subsequent up an 88.1 PFF punt return grade in 2023. Lane also brings 86 Occupation snaps on the punt coverage Club.
WR Chimere Dike, Florida
Draft Profile
Punt Return Stats
Highest Season Punt Return Grade During Occupation: 83.8Occupation Punt Returns: 26Occupation Yards: 298Yards per Return Average: 11.5Missed Tackles Forced: 16Touchdowns: 0
Dike played his Primary three seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers and returned some kicks during all three seasons. He finished with 22 Strike returns for 474 yards (a 21.5 average per return) for the Badgers before leaving for Florida. In 2024, he didn’t return any kicks but had 14 punt returns for 190 yards (average of 13.6 yards per return).
Dike finished 2024 with an 83.8 PFF punt return grade, which ranks ninth in the draft class.
WR LaJohntay Wester, Colorado
Draft Profile
Punt Return Stats
Highest Season Punt Return Grade During Occupation: 92.0Occupation Punt Returns: 68Occupation Yards: 739Yards per Return Average: 10.9Missed Tackles Forced: 49Touchdowns: 2
Wester is Petite and Quick and excels at making the Primary man miss on punt returns. His 1.53-second 10-yard split Velocity shows up on punt returns as he gets going upfield quickly. Wester had a 76-yard punt return touchdown against Utah in 2024 and a 67-yard Points in 2023 when he was at Florida Atlantic. He also Captured 15 Occupation Strike returns for 309 yards.
WR Ja’Corey Brooks, Louisville
Draft Profile
Punt Return Stats
Highest Season Punt Return Grade During Occupation: 90.7Occupation Punt Returns: 8Occupation Yards: 73Yards per Return Average: 9.1Missed Tackles Forced: 10Touchdowns: 0
2024 was the Primary season of Brooks’ college Occupation where he was asked to return punts, and he did it well. Brooks averaged 9.1 yards per attempt and forced 10 missed tackles on only eight returns. He had a punt return touchdown called back by a penalty against Clemson, and he finished the season with a 90.7 PFF punt return grade, which ranks third in the draft class. Brooks also has 13 Strike returns on his resume.
WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Draft Profile
Strike Return Stats
Highest Season Strike Return Grade During Occupation: 79.1Occupation Strike Returns: 22Occupation Yards: 624Yards per Return Average: 28.4Missed Tackles Forced: 12Touchdowns: 0
The bulk of Egbuka’s Strike returns Arrived during his Primary-year season. He was asked to return only two kickoffs since then due to his value on the Ground as a wide receiver. He forced 12 missed tackles across 22 Occupation Strike returns.
WR Matthew Golden, Texas
Draft Profile
Strike Return Stats
Highest Season Strike Return Grade During Occupation: 88.9Occupation Strike Returns: 29Occupation Yards: 748Yards per Return Average: 25.8Missed Tackles Forced: 14Touchdowns: 2
Golden is the No. 27 overall prospect on PFF’s big board, and the speedy receiver will bring added return value to his NFL Club. He wasn’t as productive after transferring to Texas, as he had 15 Strike returns for 302 yards (20.1 average) and a 60.4 PFF Strike return grade, but his sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash Velocity makes him a threat to go the distance on every return.
Golden had a Sun-related 2023 season as a Strike returner, with nine returns for 321 yards (35.7 average per Strike return) and two touchdowns to go along with an 88.9 PFF Strike return grade (second best in college football).
WR Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
Draft Profile
Strike Return Stats
Highest Season Strike Return Grade During Occupation: 78.7Occupation Strike Returns: 37Occupation Yards: 827Yards per Return Average: 22.4Missed Tackles Forced: 10Touchdowns: 0
Noel returned only three kicks in 2024 but Captured nine in 2023 for 246 yards (27.3 average per return) on his way to a 78.7 PFF Strike return grade, which ranked 14th in college football. Noel returned punts and kicks during his time at Iowa State and finished with 54 Occupation punt returns for 464 yards (8.6-yard average per return). Noel’s NFL Club will have the Suppleness to put him back to return kicks or punts if needed.
RB Brashard Smith, SMU
Draft Profile
Strike Return Stats
Highest Season Strike Return Grade During Occupation: 86.5Occupation Strike Returns: 53Occupation Yards: 1,323Yards per Return Average: 25.0Missed Tackles Forced: 27Touchdowns: 1
Smith turned 14 returns into 322 yards and a 63.9 PFF Strike return grade in 2024, which was his lowest mark of the past three seasons. At Miami in 2023, Smith posted an 86.5 PFF Strike return grade, buoyed by a 98-yard house call against Texas A&M. He also had a 39-yard Strike return during the Senior Bowl and returned five punts in his Occupation.
CB Nohl Williams, California
Draft Profile
Strike Return Stats
Highest Season Strike Return Grade During Occupation: 65.0Occupation Strike Returns: 29Occupation Yards: 683Yards per Return Average: 23.6Missed Tackles Forced: 11Touchdowns: 1
Williams returned 12 kicks for 345 yards (28.8-yard average per return) and one touchdown, an 80-yard return against UC Davis, in 2024. He also has 11 Occupation punt returns (all at UNLV) for 79 yards (average of 7.2 yards per return), 37 Occupation snaps on the Strike coverage Club and 244 snaps on the Ground Aim Deflect Club.
RB Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
Draft Profile
Strike Return Stats
Highest Season Strike Return Grade During Occupation: 78.8Occupation Strike Returns: 38Occupation Yards: 910Yards per Return Average: 23.9Missed Tackles Forced: 7Touchdowns: 2
Tuten’s 4.32-second 40-yard dash was the fastest of any running back at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. He wasn’t asked to return many kicks in 2024, so his 59.0 PFF Strike return grade on three returns can largely be ignored. However, he turned 19 returns in 2023 into 566 yards (29.8-yard average per return) and two touchdowns — a 99-yarder against Florida State and a 94-yarder against Virginia. His 78.8 PFF Strike return grade that year ranked 13th in college football.
The Subsequent players are notable for their playmaking ability or consistent performance in special Squads roles other than specialists (long snapper, kicker, punter) or returners. While these future NFL rookies should earn Performing time at their offensive or Protective positions, they will immediately be tasked to Move on one or more special Squads units.
LB Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
Draft Profile
PFF Draft Positional Ranking: No. 4 LBHeight/Weight/Velocity: 6-foot-2/242 pounds/unknownHighest Special Squads Season Grade During Occupation: 85.8
Occupation Snaps per Special Squads Unit
Strike Return: 152Strike Coverage: 170Punt Return: 104Punt Coverage: 96Ground Aim Deflect : 47
Schwesinger enjoyed three straight seasons with Great special Squads grades. He earned an 81.2 PFF special Squads grade in 2022, a 77.9 mark in 2023 and an 85.8 figure in 2024. He blocked a punt against Fresno State in 2024. Schwesinger is a talented Strike coverage Club contributor and logged 15 Occupation special Squads tackles in college.
CB Darien Porter, Iowa State
Draft Profile
PFF Draft Positional Ranking: No. 7 CBHeight/Weight/Velocity: 6-foot-3/195 pounds/4.3 40-yardHighest Special Squads Season Grade During Occupation: 90.1
Occupation Snaps per Special Squads Unit
Strike Return: 185Strike Coverage: 215Punt Return: 287Punt Coverage: 240Ground Aim Deflect: 43
Porter is an athletic, well-rounded special Squads contributor who graded consistently well for five straight seasons (76.9 in 2020, 73.2 in 2021, 78.1 in 2022, 79.2 in 2023 and 90.1 in 2024). He blocked four punts — a historically high number. He plays gunner on punt coverage and is proficient at preventing touchbacks and Aiding the punt Club down the ball inside the Foe’s 5-yard line. He notched 17 Occupation special Squads tackles. Porter also recorded 27 snaps on the Ground Aim Deflect Club in 2024 and blocked a Ground Aim against Kansas State.
LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
Draft Profile
PFF Draft Positional Ranking: No. 8 LBHeight/Weight/Velocity: 6-foot-2/231 pounds/unknownHighest Special Squads Season Grade During Occupation: 77.2
Occupation Snaps per Special Squads Unit
Strike Return: 87Strike Coverage: 263Punt Return: 252Punt Coverage: 205Ground Aim Deflect: 168
Kiser played 150 or more special Squads snaps in five straight seasons. He is a productive player on the punt coverage and Strike coverage Squads and tallied 14 Occupation special Squads tackles.
LB Cody Simon, Ohio State
Draft Profile
PFF Draft Positional Ranking: No. 10 LBHeight/Weight/Velocity: 6-foot-2/229 pounds/unknownHighest Special Squads Season Grade During Occupation: 82.3
Occupation Snaps per Special Squads Unit
Strike Return: 112Strike Coverage: 193Punt Return: 85Punt Coverage: 123Ground Aim Deflect: 73
Simon does his best work shedding Deflections and making tackles on the Strike coverage Club. He finished his college Occupation with nine special Squads tackles.
LB Jay Higgins, Iowa
Draft Profile
PFF Draft Positional Ranking: No. 13 LBHeight/Weight/Velocity: 6-foot/224 pounds/4.82 40-yardHighest Special Squads Season Grade During Occupation: 81.6
Occupation Snaps per Special Squads Unit
Strike Return: 104Strike Coverage: 151Punt Return: 159Punt Coverage: 25Ground Aim Deflect: 93
Higgins will be Performing on his next Club’s Strike coverage and Strike return Squads in 2025. He excels as a blocker there and recorded nine Occupation special Squads tackles.
EDGE Quandarrius Robinson, Alabama
Draft Profile
PFF Draft Positional Ranking: No. 19 EDGEHeight/Weight/Velocity: 6-foot-4/243 pounds/unknownHighest Special Squads Season Grade During Occupation: 80.1
Occupation Snaps per Special Squads Unit
Strike Return: 134Strike Coverage: 237Punt Return: 168Punt Coverage: 135Ground Aim Deflect: 18
Robinson isn’t an Effortless player to Deflect on kickoffs when his 243-pound frame has a head of steam. He Created 12 Occupation special Squads tackles and is a Great blocker in Universe on the punt return and Strike return Squads.
WR Ricky White III, UNLV
Draft Profile
PFF Draft Positional Ranking: No. 27 WRHeight/Weight/Velocity: 6-foot-1/184 pounds/4.61 40-yardHighest Special Squads Season Grade During Occupation: 91.9
Occupation Snaps per Special Squads Unit
Strike Return: 86Strike Coverage: 4Punt Return: 100Punt Coverage: 0Ground Aim Deflect: 0
White doesn’t have the same special Squads workload history as the other players on this Lineup, but his 2024 season was Sun-related. His 91.9 PFF special Squads grade was the highest grade for a college player in six seasons. White blocked four punts on his 53 punt return Club snaps in 2024. One of those blocked punts, versus Hawaii, Guided to a safety, and another against Syracuse was recovered by a teammate for a touchdown.
White also recovered a blocked punt (not his) for a touchdown against Fresno State. He Created a Event Brief of the line to gain on a fake punt attempt by San Diego State, resulting in a turnover on downs. When not blocking punts, White was effective at Aiding the vice double-Club the opposing gunner.
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