A look at the top special-teams players in the 2016 NFL Draft
Included in measurables are height, weight, age they turn this year (if available) and 40-yard-dash time.
RETURN SPECIALISTS TO WATCH
MORGAN BURNS, Kansas State
Measurables: 5-11, 201, 4.38
Bio: Cornerback who returned 34 kicks for a 33.5-yard average and four touchdowns in 2015. Returned no punts. Has scored four career touchdowns off of returns.
TYLER ERVIN, San Jose State
Measurables: 5-10, 192, 4.41
Bio: Running back who returned 25 kicks for a 23.9-yard average and no touchdowns in 2015. Returned seven punts for a 15-yard average and one touchdown. Has scored five career touchdowns off of returns.
CYRUS JONES, Alabama
Measurables: 5-10, 197, 4.49
Bio: Cornerback who returned one kick for 24 yards and no touchdowns in 2015. Returned 42 punts for a 12.6-yard average and four touchdowns. Has scored four career touchdowns off of returns.
J.D. McKISSIC, Arkansas State
Measurables: 5-10, 187, 4.57
Bio: Wide receiver who returned 24 kicks for a 27.2-yard average and one touchdown in 2015. Returned one punt for zero yards. Has scored two career touchdowns off of returns.
DEANDRE REAVES, Marshall
Measurables: 5-9, 177, 4.53
Bio: Wide receiver who returned 23 kicks for a 30.1-yard average and two touchdowns in 2015. Returned 14 punts for a 14.6-yard average and one touchdown. Has scored four career touchdowns off off returns.
KICKERS TO WATCH
ROBERTO AGUAYO, Florida State
Measurables: 6-0, 207, 22, DNR*
Bio: Three-year starter who made 21 of 26 field goals in 2015 with a long of 51 yards. Converted 49 of 49 extra points. Had 47 touchbacks on 84 kickoffs (55 percent). Declared after redshirt junior season (55 percent).
BRAD CRADDOCK, Maryland
Measurables: 6-0, 186, DNR*
Bio: Four-year starter who made 8 of 10 field goals in 2015 with a long of 44. Converted 23 of 23 extra points. Had 14 touchbacks on 37 kickoffs (36 percent).
KA'IMI FAIRBAIRN, UCLA
Measurables: 5-11, 183, 22, DNR*
Bio: Four-year starter who made 20 of 24 field goals in 2015 with a long of 60. Connected on 41 straight field goals from 35 yards in to end his career. Converted 47 of 47 extra points. Winner of the Lou Groza Award for college football's best kicker. Had 59 touchbacks on 84 kickoffs (70 percent).
JOHN LUNSFORD, Liberty
Measurables: 6-1, 214, 23, 4.74
Bio: Four-year starter who made 13 of 24 field goals in 2015 with a long of 57. Converted 32 of 32 extra points. Had 35 touchbacks on 59 kickoffs (59 percent).
JADEN OBERKROM, Texas Christian
Measurables: 6-2, 186, DNR*
Bio: Four-year starter who made 21 of 25 field goals in 2015 with a long of 57. Converted 59 of 60 extra points. Had 56 touchbacks on 92 kickoffs (60 percent).
PUNTERS TO WATCH
RILEY DIXON, Syracuse
Measurables: 6-4, 221, DNR*
Bio: Three-year starter who averaged 43.6 yards in 65 punts during 2015. Downed 28 punts inside the 20.
LACHLAN EDWARDS, Sam Houston State
Measurables: 6-4, 209, DNR*
Bio: Three-year starter who averaged 41.5 yards in 74 punts during 2015. Downed 31 punts inside the 20.
TOM HACKETT, Utah
Measurables: 5-10, 198, 24, DNR*
Bio: Four-year starter who averaged 48 yards in 61 punts during 2015. Downed 28 punts inside the 20.
DREW KASER, Texas A&M
Measurables: 6-2, 212, 23, DNR*
Bio: Three-year starter who averaged 48 yards in 53 punts in 2015. Downed 21 punts inside the 20.19
WILL MONDAY, Duke
Measurables: 6-4, 212, 24, DNR*
Bio: Four-year starter who averaged 43.5 yards in 65 punts in 2015. Downed 31 punts inside the 20.
*Did not run 40
Terez A. Paylor: 816-234-4489, @TerezPaylor. Download Red Zone Extra, The Star's Chiefs app.
GRADING SCALE
7.5-7.1: Top 10 pick
7.0: 11-20
6.9: 21-32
6.8: Top half of the second
6.7: Bottom half of the second
6.6: Top half of the third
6.5: Bottom half of the third
6.4: Fourth round pick
6.3: Fifth-round pick
6.2: Sixth-round pick
6.1: Seventh-round pick
6.0: Priority free agent
5.9: Non-prospect
NOTE: All rankings are based on a combination of extensive personal film study, interviews conducted with draft analysts and information gleaned from NFL Network draft broadcasts. Evaluations are cross-checked with multiple draft resources. Measurements and testing results are from the combine and pro days, according to NFL.com. Grades are assigned based on where each player could be drafted.
This story was originally published April 19, 2016 at 8:08 PM with the headline "A look at the top special-teams players in the 2016 NFL Draft."