Welcome WR Derius Davis, TCU (Round 4, #125)

[gzubeck]

We're grading the draft, not what the player will do in the future which we do not know. We can say he was not worth a 4th based on player
ratings, which are based on stats, physical nature and play.

We have one legit starter as safety. We need a second NFL level starter not a place holder.

Here are some eye opening stats.
There was a total of 10 TD resulting from punt returns and blocked punts out of 2000 punt attempts. That's .5%.
There were a total of 6 TD resulting from Kick off returns. This is for the entire league.

Now you tell me in general, is that worth a 4th rounder?

My thinking for the most part. But, I would say this...if our starting position starts averaging in the 30s instead of the 25 yard yard line then maybe it would be worth it alone. So for instance if we start numerous times at our 35 yard line on kickoffs then that could add a new dimension to our offense.

[dmac_bolt]

We're grading the draft, not what the player will do in the future which we do not know. We can say he was not worth a 4th based on player
ratings, which are based on stats, physical nature and play.

We have one legit starter as safety. We need a second NFL level starter not a place holder.

Here are some eye opening stats.
There was a total of 10 TD resulting from punt returns and blocked punts out of 2000 punt attempts. That's .5%.
There were a total of 6 TD resulting from Kick off returns. This is for the entire league.

Now you tell me in general, is that worth a 4th rounder?

you can say other people think he's not worth a 4th. i'll buy that.

you tell me - do return specialists only return the ball if they score a TD? thats a pretty binary stat you got there, maybe you should seek a more holistic measure of value.

I think an elite speed returner who may also contribute some at WR is worth a 4th. you don't. thats fine, but it doesnt make you right.

[charger1_sj]

My thinking for the most part. But, I would say this...if our starting position starts averaging in the 30s instead of the 25 yard yard line then maybe it would be worth it alone. So for instance if we start numerous times at our 35 yard line on kickoffs then that could add a new dimension to our offense.

KO go for touchbacks over 80% of the time in the NFL. So limited chances.

PR is only slightly better in terms of TDs but not better in terms of yards. Punter hang times getting better and so are
the coverages. Thus last year a grand total of 10 punts were returned for TDs for the entire league and that includes
blocked punts returned for TDs.

There is no chance DD is going to get the kind of production he got in college for returns in the NFL.

There is also some dispute about the guy's size. Chargers list him at 5' 10" 175lbs. But some other legit sites from the scouting
say he's 5'8" 165lbs. If he's what the Chargers listed him at we're good to go even though a little light for the NFL. But if he's really
165lbs, that could be a problem, one hit away from IR. I don't know what to tell you. For me our 4th and 7th round picks were a bit
of a head scratcher. Understood the 7th isn't that important.

[charger1_sj]

you can say other people think he's not worth a 4th. i'll buy that.

you tell me - do return specialists only return the ball if they score a TD? thats a pretty binary stat you got there, maybe you should seek a more holistic measure of value.

I think an elite speed returner who may also contribute some at WR is worth a 4th. you don't. thats fine, but it doesnt make you right.

No there's a bit more to it. Return yardage. It's not great for PRs because punters and coverage is better than ever. There is a decreasing amount of return yardage as
a result, because of more limited opportunities. Lots of fair catches and penalties on the receiving team.

KR are even worse because the vast majority end up being touchbacks, do to rule changes. So there's that.

I think grading the draft is more of an art. But by that standard we could have gotten him in later rounds. I don't say so, the so called pundits do. I just happen
to agree. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. There is a consensus though.

There have been lots of attempts to beat the draft odds/pundits/analysts by various GMs including Belicheat. They almost always end up on the losing end.
Every once in a while some GM hits the jackpot. I hope that's the case with DD, but I'm not holding my breath.

[gzubeck]

KO go for touchbacks over 80% of the time in the NFL. So limited chances.

PR is only slightly better in terms of TDs but not better in terms of yards. Punter hang times getting better and so are
the coverages. Thus last year a grand total of 10 punts were returned for TDs for the entire league and that includes
blocked punts returned for TDs.

There is no chance DD is going to get the kind of production he got in college for returns in the NFL.

There is also some dispute about the guy's size. Chargers list him at 5' 10" 175lbs. But some other legit sites from the scouting
say he's 5'8" 165lbs. If he's what the Chargers listed him at we're good to go even though a little light for the NFL. But if he's really
165lbs, that could be a problem, one hit away from IR. I don't know what to tell you. For me our 4th and 7th round picks were a bit
of a head scratcher. Understood the 7th isn't that important.

Don't have to preach to me...I would have traded our 4th and next years 4th to move up and grab Roschon. My guess is they'll try to do more with him but it truly is a wildcard in regards to real benefits received.

[gzubeck]

No there's a bit more to it. Return yardage. It's not great for PRs because punters and coverage is better than ever. There is a decreasing amount of return yardage as
a result, because of more limited opportunities. Lots of fair catches and penalties on the receiving team.

KR are even worse because the vast majority end up being touchbacks, do to rule changes. So there's that.

I think grading the draft is more of an art. But by that standard we could have gotten him in later rounds. I don't say so, the so called pundits do. I just happen
to agree. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. There is a consensus though.

There have been lots of attempts to beat the draft odds/pundits/analysts by various GMs including Belicheat. They almost always end up on the losing end.
Every once in a while some GM hits the jackpot. I hope that's the case with DD, but I'm not holding my breath.

Maybe it's a gift for the special teams coach...like here's your player you wanted...are you happy now? Go out and coach the hell out of special teams now...LOL!

[richpjr]

OR - he used the fact that Derius was the best returner in college, and possible added WR contributions would be bonus. We let Carter walk, zero return specialists on the team.

Yup. It really isn't that complicated.

[Craig440]

Saw this today

Faster than Tyreek Hill. Worth the risk.

last season derius davis clocked 23.47 mph in a game — the fastest run in all of college football *and* the nfl

[dmac_bolt]

No there's a bit more to it. Return yardage. It's not great for PRs because punters and coverage is better than ever. There is a decreasing amount of return yardage as
a result, because of more limited opportunities. Lots of fair catches and penalties on the receiving team.

KR are even worse because the vast majority end up being touchbacks, do to rule changes. So there's that.

I think grading the draft is more of an art. But by that standard we could have gotten him in later rounds. I don't say so, the so called pundits do. I just happen
to agree. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. There is a consensus though.

There have been lots of attempts to beat the draft odds/pundits/analysts by various GMs including Belicheat. They almost always end up on the losing end.
Every once in a while some GM hits the jackpot. I hope that's the case with DD, but I'm not holding my breath.

Pundits got some picks wrong in the draft. You know about that, right?
If you drafted based on Mel Kiper, i think you’d be fired in 2 years.
The Raiders last GM was a highly regarded draft expert, one of the best in fact. How did he do once his picks were real? Lol

Good call - i don’t think you should hold your breath.

Derius did gain >500 yards receiving as well. Maybe we’ll get more than we think. I’ll wait and see but I do admit he was not on my radar. I like the idea of a return specialist as much as the likelihood a different R4 pick might play little or none. Me thinks the protests are too much but hey - have at it.

[maurile]

Speed doesn't mean much. Returning punts is mostly about size, and Davis lacks it.

[21&500]

Speed doesn't mean much. Returning punts is mostly about size, and Davis lacks it.

How do you figure?
Maybe we should ask UDFA Clark to return a few punts, he's got size for days.

[21&500]

Saw this today

Faster than Tyreek Hill. Worth the risk.

last season derius davis clocked 23.47 mph in a game — the fastest run in all of college football *and* the nfl

He runs so fast, his torso gets left behind.
his legs just keep on running.