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http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/nfl-draft/post/_/id/4572/beckham-leads-2014-all-satellite-team
One of the projects I put together every year for the draft is the All-Satellite team -- the players who are the best in space. All eight of the guys listed below are exceptionally elusive with the ball in their hands and can be nightmares for opposing defenses to contain in the open field.
You can find my list from the end of the 2013 college football season here -- but below you'll find my eight-member All-Satellite team based on all the prospects I've evaluated for the 2014 NFL draft.
1. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
Beckham has elite top-end speed, but that's only part of what makes him so good in space. He accelerates quickly, frequently makes the first defender miss after the catch and is a very instinctive open-field runner who knows when to cut back against the grain. He uses his fluid hips and quick feet to get defenders off-balance in space, using a variety of shoulder dips, inside-outs and other moves. He has the potential to develop into a dangerous return specialist in the NFL. We have him ranked as the third-best wide receiver prospect in this class.
2. Dri Archer, RB, Kent State
Archer is a legit home run threat every time he touches the ball (averaged nine yards per carry in 2012 and nearly eight yards per carry in 2013). He has elite lateral agility and stop-and-start ability, frequently slashing through small creases and making defenders miss in the hole. He makes sharp cuts and can press cutback lanes in a hurry. He is pint-sized, and will need to develop a role for himself (in addition to doing a better job with ball security than he did in college) to stick in the NFL. If all goes well, he can develop into a Dexter McCluster-type (McCluster was an inch taller and three pounds lighter when he came out). He figures to come off the board somewhere in the third- or fourth-round range.
3. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
Watkins runs a fast 40 time, but he plays even faster than that, as his body control and transition quickness make him even more effective than his timed speed would indicate. His initial acceleration and second gear are really impressive. Plus, his strength, toughness and competitiveness make him very difficult to bring down in the open field. He forces defensive backs to buckle their chin straps.
4. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Manziel is a magician with the ball in his hands. He was No. 1 on this list when I did it for the college football season, and the only reason I have him ranked lower here is because if his game develops as it will need to in the NFL (he should study Russell Wilson in terms of learning how to protect his body), he won't be running around nearly as much. But there's no way I could leave him off this list. He has rare instincts and escape ability, and while he isn't as fast as Robert Griffin III or Wilson, he is more elusive and athletic than both of those guys. He is an elite running threat with good top-end speed and outstanding agility, elusiveness and vision.
5. Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
When Cooks catches a crease, it's over for the opposing defense. He shows elite acceleration on tape, and this was backed up by his 4.33 40-yard dash time at the combine (the fastest of any receiver in attendance). He's an instinctive runner after the catch who shows good open-field vision. He isn't a return specialist, but is a highly productive receiver who is extremely difficult to bring down in the open field. There's a good chance a team will take him in the first round.
Honorable mentions
Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
We don't typically put defensive players on this list, but Gilbert is so dangerous as a returner (on punts, kicks or after an interception) that he deserves a mention here. He has six career kickoff returns for touchdowns and two INT returns for TDs. He has excellent top-end speed, good field vision and has shown the ability to accelerate off of his cuts.
De'Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon
Thomas had a disappointing 2013 season, showing marginal ball security and some other issues, and he didn't run well at the combine for a guy with his sprinter's pedigree. But he is still a blazer who is extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands.
John Brown, WR, Pittsburg State
The only small-school guy on this list, Brown is an underrated prospect who could provide great value for teams in the fourth- or fifth-round range. He can be a nightmare to handle when he gets into the open field, with his instant stop-and-start ability, his acceleration out of cuts and ability to maintain quality
One of the projects I put together every year for the draft is the All-Satellite team -- the players who are the best in space. All eight of the guys listed below are exceptionally elusive with the ball in their hands and can be nightmares for opposing defenses to contain in the open field.
You can find my list from the end of the 2013 college football season here -- but below you'll find my eight-member All-Satellite team based on all the prospects I've evaluated for the 2014 NFL draft.
1. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
Beckham has elite top-end speed, but that's only part of what makes him so good in space. He accelerates quickly, frequently makes the first defender miss after the catch and is a very instinctive open-field runner who knows when to cut back against the grain. He uses his fluid hips and quick feet to get defenders off-balance in space, using a variety of shoulder dips, inside-outs and other moves. He has the potential to develop into a dangerous return specialist in the NFL. We have him ranked as the third-best wide receiver prospect in this class.
2. Dri Archer, RB, Kent State
Archer is a legit home run threat every time he touches the ball (averaged nine yards per carry in 2012 and nearly eight yards per carry in 2013). He has elite lateral agility and stop-and-start ability, frequently slashing through small creases and making defenders miss in the hole. He makes sharp cuts and can press cutback lanes in a hurry. He is pint-sized, and will need to develop a role for himself (in addition to doing a better job with ball security than he did in college) to stick in the NFL. If all goes well, he can develop into a Dexter McCluster-type (McCluster was an inch taller and three pounds lighter when he came out). He figures to come off the board somewhere in the third- or fourth-round range.
3. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
Watkins runs a fast 40 time, but he plays even faster than that, as his body control and transition quickness make him even more effective than his timed speed would indicate. His initial acceleration and second gear are really impressive. Plus, his strength, toughness and competitiveness make him very difficult to bring down in the open field. He forces defensive backs to buckle their chin straps.
4. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Manziel is a magician with the ball in his hands. He was No. 1 on this list when I did it for the college football season, and the only reason I have him ranked lower here is because if his game develops as it will need to in the NFL (he should study Russell Wilson in terms of learning how to protect his body), he won't be running around nearly as much. But there's no way I could leave him off this list. He has rare instincts and escape ability, and while he isn't as fast as Robert Griffin III or Wilson, he is more elusive and athletic than both of those guys. He is an elite running threat with good top-end speed and outstanding agility, elusiveness and vision.
5. Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
When Cooks catches a crease, it's over for the opposing defense. He shows elite acceleration on tape, and this was backed up by his 4.33 40-yard dash time at the combine (the fastest of any receiver in attendance). He's an instinctive runner after the catch who shows good open-field vision. He isn't a return specialist, but is a highly productive receiver who is extremely difficult to bring down in the open field. There's a good chance a team will take him in the first round.
Honorable mentions
Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
We don't typically put defensive players on this list, but Gilbert is so dangerous as a returner (on punts, kicks or after an interception) that he deserves a mention here. He has six career kickoff returns for touchdowns and two INT returns for TDs. He has excellent top-end speed, good field vision and has shown the ability to accelerate off of his cuts.
De'Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon
Thomas had a disappointing 2013 season, showing marginal ball security and some other issues, and he didn't run well at the combine for a guy with his sprinter's pedigree. But he is still a blazer who is extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands.
John Brown, WR, Pittsburg State
The only small-school guy on this list, Brown is an underrated prospect who could provide great value for teams in the fourth- or fifth-round range. He can be a nightmare to handle when he gets into the open field, with his instant stop-and-start ability, his acceleration out of cuts and ability to maintain quality