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          McShay's 2017 All-Satellite team: Best playmakers in NFL draft

          • Todd McShayApr 13, 2017, 08:00 AM ET
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              Todd McShay is a senior NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting reports on the nation's top pro prospects. He also serves as a college football field analyst on Saturdays in the fall. Todd joined ESPN in 2006 and contributes to SportsCenter, NFL Live, College Football Live and ESPN Radio. He is a Massachusetts native and was a backup quarterback at the University of Richmond. You can follow Todd on Twitter via @McShay13.
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          One of the projects I've put together every year before the NFL draft is the All-Satellite team -- the prospects who are the best in space.

          Standouts from past All-Satellite teams include: Odell Beckham Jr., Brandin Cooks, Tyler Lockett and Tevin Coleman.

          All six of the players listed below are exceptionally elusive with the ball in their hands and can be nightmares for opposing defenses to contain in the open field.

          Here is my All-Satellite Team for the 2017 NFL draft.

          1. John Ross, WR, Washington

          We know about Ross' 4.22 40-yard dash, which broke the modern combine record, putting him in an entirely different category on this list. But what stands out with Ross is that some guys are straight-line fast, others are quick and twitchy, and Ross is both. When you have someone who can make guys miss laterally and then leave them in the dust, that's special. I watched tape of this draft's speediest WRs around the same time -- such as Carlos Henderson, Isaiah McKenzie, Josh Malone and Ross -- and you'd be amazed at the difference between Ross' speed and those other burners. He's just at a different level. Ross scored four career kickoff return touchdowns and had 17 receiving scores last year, including the play below where he roasted USC's Adoree' Jackson with a ridiculous move at the line. Ross also brings value on reverses and jet sweeps; he averaged 9.8 yards per carry on 20 career rushes.

          2. Isaiah McKenzie, WR, Georgia

          McKenzie is the quickest offensive player I've watched on tape all year. In some ways, he is similar to Rams WR Tavon Austin; each has the ability to create with the ball in his hands. McKenzie (4.42 40) had six return touchdowns in his career, including five via punts. His explosive change-of-direction ability was apparent at the combine, where he ran a 6.64-second three-cone drill (tied for fourth-best among all players). McKenzie is tiny for a receiver (5-7½, 173), but I've seen him smoke guys who were trying to press him at the line. He's extremely competitive, and he has made some tough catches.

          3. Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech

          Henderson, who averaged an incredible 19.6 yards per catch in his career, has the burst (4.46 40) to separate on vertical routes at the NFL level. He's also outstanding after the catch, showing the ability to make multiple defenders miss. That same slipperiness is evident when he returns kicks: Henderson scored two touchdowns via kickoffs last season and averaged 32.2 yards per return. Durability and maturity concerns will likely keep Henderson out of the first two rounds, but he has the chance to develop into a starter in the NFL thanks to his quick feet and blazing speed.

          4. Adroee' Jackson, CB/RS, USC

          Jackson makes this list thanks to his game-breaking ability in the return game. He had four scores last season (two on punts, two on kickoffs) and eight total for his career. Take a look at the video below. The ability to make defenders miss, the leap and the acceleration ... Jackson (4.38 40) is the total package as a returner. Jackson's acceleration really stands out: He posted a ridiculous 1.52 10-yard split at the combine. He was a two-time All-American on USC's track team, winning back-to-back outdoor conference titles in the long jump. Jackson has a chance to make the Pro Bowl early in his career as a returner while he develops his coverage ability.

          5. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

          Cook is in the mold of Chris Johnson and Jamal Charles: He thrives on those outside zone runs where he can stick his foot in the dirt and get upfield in a hurry. Cook runs low to the ground, regularly bouncing off tackles. And once he gets in the open field, forget about it (check out the video below for visual evidence). His combine numbers in the change-of-direction drills weren't great (4.53 20-yard shuttle, 7.27 three-cone), but I just can't get over the explosiveness he shows on tape. Purely as a runner, he makes more defenders miss and creates more yards on his own than any back in this class. He finished his Florida State career as the school's all-time leader in rushing yards (4,464) and rushing TDs (46).

          6. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

          You see McCaffrey's quickness and suddenness on tape, but I was a little surprised at the extent to which he lit up the combine. A 6.57-second three-cone is ridiculous. That's the second-best time for a running back since 2006. He's really shifty, which benefits him as a rusher, receiver and returner. McCaffrey led Stanford in rushing and receiving in 2015 while also serving as the team's primary return man, where he was outstanding (check out the video below). He's one of the most polished receiving RBs I've ever studied coming out of college. McCaffrey is a true home run threat when he gets the ball on the move in space; he gained 4,577 total yards from scrimmage in his final two seasons at Stanford, more than any other player in the country.

          Honorable mention

          Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
          T.J. Logan, RB, North Carolina
          Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
          Ryan Switzer, WR, North Carolina
          Curtis Samuel, RB/WR, Ohio State