2016 NFL Draft Pre-Combine: Ranking The Top 10 Kick And Punt Returner Prospects

By Jacob Kornhauser

They often get overlooked, but kick return specialists are extremely valuable. Just look at Devin Hester, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round. These 10 return men have a serious chance to make big plays in the league starting next season.

2016 NFL Draft Pre-Combine: Ranking The Top 10 Kick And Punt Returner Prospects
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10. Tyler Ervin - San Jose State

Tyler Ervin - San Jose State Credit: Getty Images
For whatever reason, smaller schools tend to produce good kick returning talent. Ervin was a playmaker in every facet, but especially in the return game. Someone is going to get a steal with Ervin in the draft.

10. Tyler Ervin - San Jose State

For whatever reason, smaller schools tend to produce good kick returning talent. Ervin was a playmaker in every facet, but especially in the return game. Someone is going to get a steal with Ervin in the draft.

9. Deandre Reaves - Marshall

Deandre Reaves - Marshall Credit: Getty Images
Reaves is a really enthusiastic player, and you can tell just how much he loves returning kicks. That can go a long way, especially when you have the burst he has. He's a real home-run threat and will be at the next level.

9. Deandre Reaves - Marshall

Reaves is a really enthusiastic player, and you can tell just how much he loves returning kicks. That can go a long way, especially when you have the burst he has. He's a real home-run threat and will be at the next level.

8. Kenyan Drake - Alabama

Kenyan Drake - Alabama Credit: Getty Images
Drake was somewhat overshadowed by Cyrus Jones, but he still got enough chances to show what he can do. When he gets open space, he's a dangerous player, so he has a good chance of returning kicks in the NFL.

8. Kenyan Drake - Alabama

Drake was somewhat overshadowed by Cyrus Jones, but he still got enough chances to show what he can do. When he gets open space, he's a dangerous player, so he has a good chance of returning kicks in the NFL.

7. Jakeem Grant - Texas Tech

Jakeem Grant - Texas Tech Credit: Getty Images
Texas Tech is known for their high-powered offense and that wouldn't be possible without Grant. He gives them such good field position the offense doesn't have to do as much. Really, he was one of their most valuable players this past season.

7. Jakeem Grant - Texas Tech

Texas Tech is known for their high-powered offense and that wouldn't be possible without Grant. He gives them such good field position the offense doesn't have to do as much. Really, he was one of their most valuable players this past season.

6. Jalin Marshall - Ohio State

Jalin Marshall - Ohio State Credit: Getty Images
Marshall was one of many playmakers on Ohio State, and he truly could go the distance whenever he got the ball in his hands. With his speed and quickness, there are times he simply can't be stopped.

6. Jalin Marshall - Ohio State

Marshall was one of many playmakers on Ohio State, and he truly could go the distance whenever he got the ball in his hands. With his speed and quickness, there are times he simply can't be stopped.

5. Demarcus Ayers - Houston

Demarcus Ayers - Houston Credit: Getty Images
Houston is another team that owes a lot of its offense to the return game of Ayers, who always set them up nicely. He's as shifty as any returner on this list and makes the most of the open field when he gets the chance.

5. Demarcus Ayers - Houston

Houston is another team that owes a lot of its offense to the return game of Ayers, who always set them up nicely. He's as shifty as any returner on this list and makes the most of the open field when he gets the chance.

4. Pharoh Cooper - South Carolina

Pharoh Cooper - South Carolina Credit: Getty Images
Cooper was one of the biggest playmakers in the SEC, and a lot of his value came in the return game. He gets to top speed in a hurry, and that's a huge plus when making the jump to a much faster NFL game.

4. Pharoh Cooper - South Carolina

Cooper was one of the biggest playmakers in the SEC, and a lot of his value came in the return game. He gets to top speed in a hurry, and that's a huge plus when making the jump to a much faster NFL game.

3. Morgan Burns - Kansas State

Morgan Burns - Kansas State Credit: Getty Images
Burns isn't the biggest guy in the world, but he uses that to his advantage in the return game. He is able to weave in and out of traffic with ease, and he's going to make a great NFL return man.

3. Morgan Burns - Kansas State

Burns isn't the biggest guy in the world, but he uses that to his advantage in the return game. He is able to weave in and out of traffic with ease, and he's going to make a great NFL return man.

2. Braxton Miller - Ohio State

Braxton Miller - Ohio State Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA Today Sports
The multi-talented former Ohio State quarterback is going to be a playmaker in some form or fashion in the NFL. We've all seen what he can do in the open field, and that is going to convince an NFL team to take a chance on him.

2. Braxton Miller - Ohio State

The multi-talented former Ohio State quarterback is going to be a playmaker in some form or fashion in the NFL. We've all seen what he can do in the open field, and that is going to convince an NFL team to take a chance on him.

1. Cyrus Jones - Alabama

Cyrus Jones - Alabama Credit: Getty Images
Jones was the biggest home-run threat in the game last year. Playing for a major program, he routinely broke huge returns that changed the complexion of games. That's what NFL teams want when they draft someone who will return kicks.

1. Cyrus Jones - Alabama

Jones was the biggest home-run threat in the game last year. Playing for a major program, he routinely broke huge returns that changed the complexion of games. That's what NFL teams want when they draft someone who will return kicks.

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