My decidedly amateur analysis of the players drafted in R3-R6 suggests to me that at their floor they all fit nicely into the kind of revamped Special Teams squad necessary for the new condensed field that results from the new 2024 kickoff requirements:

• Different body types more similar to the variety seen on both sides of the ball during regular plays from scrimmage
• But placing a premium on athleticism and lateral agility to initiate or respond to rapid realignments across the 5-10 yard deep, sideline-to-sideline "zone of scrimmage" that will snap into play the instant that the ball lands/is caught.

Every one of these players has elite athleticism and lateral agility listed as strengths.

Most of the players have quick/explosive first step, rapid diagnosis, and being a team captain listed as strengths.

Every one of these players competed at a high level in multiple sports during high school and several did likewise in college.

And, of course, there is one with a wrestling background.

Coincidence? Just the usual Beane & Co. emphasis on traits that I’m projecting my own bias upon? Maybe. To me though it seems too consistent across the line to be chance. Of course your mileage may vary and I’d like to hear your thoughts…

DeWayne Carter DT: HS TE and baseball C/1B; Flashes quickness; works down line of scrimmage with balance to make plays in small spaces; 3-time captain; A+ academics

Ray Davis RB: HS S, DB, QB and basketball, baseball, track; Quick reads; quick feet at LOS; A+ vision to string cuts at all 3 levels; RARELY FUMBLES; lateral agility but always looking to attack downfield.

Cedric Van-Pran Granger C/G: HS track (shot put); Great 3-cone at combine shows agility/change of direction/body control; intelligent; good reads/diagnosis; team captain.

Edefuan Ulofoshio LB: HS RB, DE; College KR/PR, captain; Lateral agility; swiftly reads keys; high motor.

Javon Solomon DE: HS WRESTLER!; College LB, DT; Pounces with an electric first step; burst to close on runners; Feldman’s "Freaks List" athlete.

Tylan Grable OT: HS QB, basketball; College TE; Excellent coordination and footwork; intelligent.

Daequan Hardy CB: HS WR, CB, ST, captain, track; College PR, ST coverage unit; Elite athletic profile; explosive speed.

Travis Clayton OT: HS soccer; RUGBY! with projection of that special experience/particular set of skills translating especially well to the condensed but fluid field of the new KO procedure.

I can absolutely see these players operating a diverse array of schemed plays (or being able to improvise on the fly) at a high level within the new-look kickoff. But that’s only because I’m a dyed-in-wool follower of Marv Levy’s belief in the importance of special teams. I really hope Beane and McDermott are doing likewise as teams that really lean into the importance of the new rules should garner a larger share of big plays/scoring plays from it.