Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Trindon Holliday, KR, LSU

[Remember to check the '2010 NFL Draft' section for all stories relating to the draft.]

As we continue our Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profile series, let's take some time to think outside the box. What is the best way to use those final day sixth and seventh-round draft picks?

• Just take the best player available regardless of position and see if he can earn a spot on your team?
• Target specific needs you may not have addressed yet and see if you can uncover a diamond in the rough who call fill a role on your team?
• Take a flier on a player who has one unique skill that might make him an impact player, albeit in a very limited capacity?

NFL general managers employ all of those strategies, often times mixing and matching based on who is left as the draft dwindles down. I love the idea of taking a late-round flier on a unique player who might not have an every-down future, but who could provide a huge impact in a specialized role.

That brings me to the subject of today's profile -- LSU kick-return specialist Trindon Holliday. Forget whether Holliday is listed at wide receiver or running back, he is neither of those at the NFL level. What he is at a miniscule 5-foot-5, 160 pounds is a blazing fast (he has reportedly been timed below 4.3 in the 40) kickoff and punt returner. Potentially, Holliday is a game-changer even though he would only be on the field for a few returns in each game.

So, let's take a closer look.

Trindon Holliday Scouting Reports

From Draft Breakdown.

The word fast doesn’t do Holliday justice. ... As a KR, there may be few that are better. If he hits a hole, he’s gone. ... Holliday is fun to watch when he has the ball. If he’s in the open field, it’s on the highlight reel on ESPN. Will definitely get looks as a KR/PR. However, he is very small. Few players have successful careers that are below 5’8 in the NFL.

From the National Football Post.

Most known for his world-class sprinting ability, Holliday plays at another gear when he has the ball in his hands. Has the ability to consistently outrun angles in the open field and is a threat to take it the distance every time he touches the ball. But he's more of a track guy playing football and looks like a special teams ace at the next level. Lacks ideal football savvy and has a tendency to simply try to outrun everyone. He is more of a straight-line athlete than anything else. But speed kills, and Holliday certainly looks like a guy who could help a couple of NFL teams in the return game.

From Fantasy Football Toolbox.

Most dangerous as a return man ... Holliday is an obvious home-run threat every time he touches the ball. He will have his fair share of doubters if he attempts to play at the next level, but his speed alone gives him great potential. Holliday is worth a draft pick on Day 2 simply as a return man; he's just that fast.

Why Holliday fits with the Giants

Domenik Hixon is a good return man, but not a game-changer. And how many of you are wondering how special teams coach Tom Quinn still has a job? I know I am. One way to overcome Quinn's inadequacies in building a return game is to bring in someone who can simply outrun them. Holliday can do that, provided an NFL tackler does not break him in half. More and more, NFL games turn on just a few field-position or score-changing plays. Holliday has the potential to make those kinds of plays, something the Giants have not been getting from their return game.

Why the Giants should pass

Because Holliday would be limited to just that return role. He is not going to help in coverage. He is not going to help in the basic offense. And with his size he is likely to have a very short life span as an NFL player. In some ways, this might be considered a 'luxury' pick. Do the Giants have the luxury of taking the chance? Maybe, maybe not.

(E-mail Ed at bigblueview@gmail.com. Follow Big Blue View on Twitter.)