The selection Friday evening of Kent State running back/wide receiver/kick returner Dri Archer in the third-round of the 2014 NFL Draft might have a few fans shaking their heads, but one esteemed NFL Network draft analyst thinks the diminutive “Slash” could have 2014 post season honors in his future.
Early Saturday morning, Daniel Jeremiah, a former NFL scout, took to Twitter to somewhat voice his approval of the Steelers 97th overall selection.
Wouldn't be shocked if Dri Archer made the pro bowl next year. #Steelers
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) May 10, 2014
“Wouldn’t be shocked if Dri Archer made the pro bowl next year,” tweeted Jeremiah.
While that’s certainly not a Babe Ruth-like point to the fence, it’s worth writing down and favoriting on your Twitter account.
Assuming that Jeremiah’s semi prediction winds up happening, one could easily speculate that the only way Archer makes it to the Pro Bowl would be as a kick returner.
During his college career, Archer returned 51 kickoffs for 1,436 yards and four touchdowns. However, while his 28.16 yards per return average is pretty impressive, it should be pointed out that he only returned two kickoffs for 128 yards in 2013.
Perhaps Jeremiah believes that Archer will have a significant role in the Steelers offense as a rookie as well. If so, that would come as a huge surprise if it played out that way being as Archer would be lucky to see the field seven snaps a game on average. Yes, he can lineup in the backfield, out wide and in the slot, but outside of some third down work and occasionally spelling starter Le’Veon Bell for a series, he’s not likely to see the field all that much.
Being as the Steelers spent a third-round pick on the speed merchant, however, one would think that an attempt would be made to get the ball in his hands at least a few times a game outside of him returning kickoffs, which we all hope is only once or twice a game at the most.
Pro Bowl? Yeah, I would bet against that happening.
