The point, however, too often is lost on those who make the selections in a college draft. Place-kickers and punters are largely treated as untouchables in these procedures. It is as if they were bearers of a disease.

For these people, this year's draft has the look of many of the drafts that preceded it. Only two kickers have been assigned draftable grades in the publications that assess the process. They are Taylor Mehlhaff of Wisconsin and Art Carmody of Louisville. They are projected as seventh-round selections, which means they are on the fine line separating those who are drafted and those who are not.

The highest-rated specialist is a punter, Durant Brooks of Georgia Tech. None of his 144 punts for the Atlanta school was blocked and only 19 of the 65 punts he launched in 2007 were returned. Brooks could be snapped up as early as the fourth round.

Mike Dragosavich of North Dakota State is another punter whose college deeds were impressive. Dragosavich had a 45.5 average in his final season.

He might not be drafted, but a kicker/punter from St. Xavier in Illinois arguably has the draft's most apt name. His name is Shane Longest.

Jerry Magee: (619) 293-1830; jerry.magee@uniontrib.com