NFL draft: Return skill now an asset that can't be overlooked

With each of his many strides into the end zone last season, Chicago Bears rookie Devin Hester opened the door a little wider for special-teamers in this year's NFL draft.

"Thanks for reminding me," said St. Louis Rams coach Scott Linehan, whose team was torched by Hester for two touchdown returns in a 42-27 loss. "Everybody's going to be looking for that this year. I'm sure game-changers like that are going to rise up the charts a little bit more, regardless of how much production they have had on offense or defense."

A year ago, the Bears went into the draft not sure if Hester would play cornerback or receiver for them. He had played those positions and also running back at the University of Miami, but had not stood out at any of them.

"There wasn't anybody [at the 2006 NFL scouting combine] who didn't know he had the ability to be an impact returner," Linehan said. "But he didn't have a particular position, and maybe unfairly that was the knock against him. But he did one thing [last season] better than anybody, which we certainly saw in person."

The Bears selected Hester in the second round with the 57th overall pick. He rewarded them with an NFL-record six returns for touchdowns (three punts, two kickoffs, one missed field goal) during the regular season and a seventh one on the opening kickoff in Super Bowl XLI. He also tied an NFL record for the longest touchdown when he returned a missed field goal 108 yards against the New York Giants.

"He brought back the importance of a kick," Texas running back Selvin Young said at this year's scouting combine. "A lot of teams were starting to settle for what they can get. Now, [teams] want to take it to the house. I have a few of those on my record. A punt return and a kick return in the same game [in 2003]. Hopefully, I get to the next level and bring some of that back."

The 5-10, 207-pound Young projects as a potential fullback. If he's drafted, it most likely will be because of his return ability. Thanks, of course, to the Hester Effect.

"There are a lot of good returners in this draft," said Rick Spielman, Vikings vice president of player personnel. "The one thing we did, and the scouts did very well, was they had to [evaluate] all the special teams on all of these players in the draft. The returns, the punt team, kickoff team. We did a very thorough job on guys because those rookies, to me, it's very important [that they can play] special teams. ... That was a big emphasis for us this year."

Two of those hoping to cash in on the Hester Effect are projected first-rounders Ted Ginn Jr. and Aaron Ross. Ginn, a wide receiver from Ohio State, had a Big Ten career record six punt returns for touchdowns, two kickoff returns for touchdowns, led the NCAA in punt return average as a freshman (25.6) and kickoff return average as a sophomore (29.6).

"I'm a fan of [Hester]," Ginn said. "And if he can do it, I believe I can do it. I'm not trying to be cocky, but we do have the same abilities and same type speed."

Ross, a cornerback from Texas, had an 11.3-yard career punt return average and three TDs. Like Ginn, he has value as a potential immediate starter. Asked if he has even more value because of the Hester Effect, Ross smiled.

"I hope so," he said. "He's a great punt returner. His rookie campaign was amazing, and I feel like that's something I really want to do on the next level. Once you get your confidence in catching the ball and trusting your blockers and your coaching scheme, then you should be all right. The rest just comes from natural ability."

Other prospects with NFL-caliber speed proven return ability, at least in college, include Michigan receiver Steve Breaston; Kansas State receiver Yamon Figurs; Miami of Ohio receiver Ryne Robinson, and Jacoby Jones, a receiver from Lane, an NCAA Division II school. The 6-2, 210-pound Jones, who The Sporting News' War Room draft analysts project as a third-round pick, recently visited with Vikings officials.

Breaston could be a first-day pick. Figurs and the 5-9, 179-pound Robinson are late-round prospects. Young is a borderline draft prospect who, of course, is hoping his return ability pays off.

"I walked by a media room [at the East-West Shrine game] and a [scout] from the Cowboys saw me," Young said. "He said the thing you want to do is find a special-teams spot and stick to it, that it will take you as far as you want to go. I take that to heart."

Mark Craig • mcraig@startribune.com