How High Can Ace Sanders of South Carolina Go?

[Ozzy]

Ace Sanders South Carolina: 5-8 175 JR

I would say Ace could go possibly 1st round if a team is really in need of a return man and have all other positions filled, but doubt that happens. Most likely will see a 2nd or 3rd round selection for him.

To me it is not even close, he is by far the best return man I saw all last season in college football regardless of class. He was absolutely electric when he was back deep as a punt returner. Might not be as dangerous as a kick return man in the NFL, but despite his size he should be a weapon teams want. The days of not wanting a player just because of that size, well those are gone, too many Darren Sproles Trindon Holliday types around to pass up.


Other possible return men in the 2013 draft:
Cordarrelle Patterson WR Tennessee
Tavon Austin WR West Virginia
Tyrann Mathieu CB LSU
Greg Reid CB Valdosta State
Marquise Goodwin Texas
Tracy Lampley WR Southern Miss
Onterio McCalebb RB Auburn
Troy Stoudermire CB Minnesota



Note: Patterson is by far the most complete player that has return potential and that is why he should be a 1st round pick. Followed by Austin, who is great as a runner but still has a little to prove as a receiver I feel. Mathieu was good on LSU as a return man but Odell Beckham was not too bad this year as a return guy, clearly LSU has some amazing blockers on that return team. Mathieu does help himself a lot being able to return punts still, and Greg Reid will be interesting how he comes back off injury, and Goodwin has Olympic speed so he would be killer as a kick return guy I feel.

[jballa838]

4th rounder at best IMO. The question is always "Is he the next Devin Hester or Yamon Figurs?" when evaluating these guys who don't produce a whole lot offensively. His QB's sucked, but I see a returner who is great in a phone booth (to steal a phrase from OL/DL projecting) but he lacks the top end speed to be the whole package, and that scares me. To be a specialist in the NFL, you truly need to have it all. I don't think he does. The rotating carousel at QB during his time at SCar didn't help him showcase anything as a WR, and he could fit better in the slot in the NFL.

5th round or later and he's still on the board I think teams are going to think about it, but I'd go with Stoudemire or Goodwin before I went with Sanders.

[Ozzy]

balla838 4th rounder at best IMO. The question is always "Is he the next Devin Hester or Yamon Figurs?" when evaluating these guys who don't produce a whole lot offensively. His QB's sucked, but I see a returner who is great in a phone booth (to steal a phrase from OL/DL projecting) but he lacks the top end speed to be the whole package, and that scares me. To be a specialist in the NFL, you truly need to have it all. I don't think he does. The rotating carousel at QB during his time at SCar didn't help him showcase anything as a WR, and he could fit better in the slot in the NFL.

5th round or later and he's still on the board I think teams are going to think about it, but I'd go with Stoudemire or Goodwin before I went with Sanders.

Well it will be interesting to see how fast he runs the 40, Figurs being drafted where he was I feel was really because of his 40 time. He was good on Kansas State but that 40 time teams loved as did his return potential.

Ace Sanders is a very underrated receiver I feel, and his make you miss ability, not so much his speed is what can separate him. Making tacklers miss in the open field with quickness and juke moves. A few of Sander's returns this year were arguably some of the best I have seen in a very long time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQBIZprUxHc

A 4th round evaluation is not where I would have him. And I could see maybe Goodwin because of his speed but Stoudemire over him? I like how Stoudemire has transitioned to defensive back but as a return man, maybe it is just me but this last year he really was no weapon as a return guy. And his kick return stats are just inflated because the Gophers always get scored on. He is no where near as good of a return guy as he was as a freshman and sophomore but now plays an interesting position for a former receiver that makes him a player to look out for.

[descendency]

Originally Posted by Ozzy

I would say Ace could go possibly 1st round if a team is really in need of a return man and have all other positions filled, but doubt that happens.

Name the team that has this situation. I guarantee you that you can't name one.

That's why these kinds of guys don't go in the first round. People always have needs and there are always teams that will take high value positions over lower value ones (and store the player in their conditioning program) even if their need isn't immediate.

The Patriots did something like this when they drafted Nate Solder out of Colorado.

[Ozzy]

descendency

Name the team that has this situation. I guarantee you that you can't name one.
.

I would say that one team would be the 49ers right now, hard to find a real bad position on that roster I must say outside of what, a kicker? ;o)

[JohnCandy]

The greatest return man in the history of the game was a mid 2nd round pick.

I doubt Saunders goes any higher than that.

[D-Unit]

6th rounder. ...and I love him.