Sleeper: Louisiana-Lafayette WR Jason Chery
6:00 AM Thu, Mar 26, 2009
Rick Gosselin
The New York Giants selected David Tyree in the sixth round of the 2003 draft specifically to become their special-teams ace. A wide receiver by trade, Tyree caught only 31 passes over his first three seasons -- but went to a Pro Bowl in his third year as the NFC special teamer.
Jason Chery could be the David Tyree of the 2009 NFL draft. Chery led Louisiana-Lafayette in special-teams tackles in each of his four seasons, collecting 60 in his career. He also blocked two punts, recovered two fumbles and forced another fumble in the kicking game. Even as he was developing into a second-team All-Sun Belt Conference wide receiver as a senior, he remained on all the special teams for the Ragin' Cajuns.
"My ticket as a freshman was special teams," Chery said. "I excelled at special teams. I take a lot of pride in my special-teams play because that's where it all started for me. I enjoy playing special teams. It sets a tempo for the game. Any special teams unit you have -- kick return, punt return, punt block, gunner -- I've played it...and I've played it well."
Cherry also returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown last season in earning second-team all-conference honors as a return specialist as well. A sprinter on the Lafayette track team, Chery (5-10, 185) used his 4.44 speed to score four touchdowns of 80 or more yards in his career on runs, receptions and returns. His draft stock is rising by the day.
