Packers have to address substandard kickoff returns in 2021
Kick return is an area the Green Bay Packers must improve upon in 2021. It may seem like a small facet of the game, but the Packers were noticeably bad at returning kicks last season. From a statistical standpoint, they were second to last only to the Miami Dolphins in average yards per kick return. In total, Green Bay returned 33 kicks for 623 yards and an 18.88 average, according to The Football Database.
This offseason, the Packers must look for outside help. And, they will probably have to.
No one who regularly returned kicks for last year is signed through 2021. Darrius Shepherd, Tyler Ervin, and Malik Taylor returned a bulk of the kicks in 2021, however, none of them are currently under contract.
Shepherd returned the most kicks (11) and averaged a team-high 20.6 yards per return. Shepherd was waived in December a little over a week after his crucial fumble on a kickoff in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts. Green Bay tried to see how Shepherd would fair returning kicks the previous season but to no avail. On nine returns in 2019, he averaged 16.3 yards.
Ervin has an outside shot of coming back next season, but kick returner may not be his best position. Ervin thrives in a limited hybrid role within Matt LaFleur’s offense, but kick returning has been less successful. Before going on injured reserve last season, Ervin returned 10 kicks for a total of 196 yards and a 19.6 average.
It was surprising to see Ervin struggle after he did well returning six kicks for Green Bay late in 2019. He averaged 26.7 yards per return and posted a new career-long of 46 yards. However, consistency was an issue for Ervin last season, and he needs to stay on the field.
By the end of the 2020 season, wide receiver Malik Taylor assumed the role of the primary kick returner. Taylor returned nine kicks for an unexcitable 18.6 average. After failing to do much on offense and special teams, Taylor may have played his last down as a Packer.
Overall, the Packers had just two kickoff returns of 30 or more yards despite receiving 33 opportunities.
Of course, it’s not fair to put all of the blame on the returners. The Packers’ special teams unit in its entirety has been an eyesore for far too long. Everything from kick and punt coverage to blocking on run backs could use an overhaul.
The team hopes to see a turnaround under newly hire special teams coordinator Maurice Drayton. Drayton is highly energetic and candid in his approach. During his introductory press conference, Drayton didn’t mince words when discussing the performances of long snapper Hunter Bradley and punter JK Scott. According to Drayton, “They know their backs are against the wall.”
Green Bay’s kick returners might have been a part of Drayton’s assertion if any were expected back next season. Drayton certainly has his work cut out for him, and after seeing how bad the Packers were at returning kicks in 2020, it’s time to give some new guys some looks back there or draft or sign someone who can better serve the role.
Related
Packers specialists put on notice by new special teams coordinator
Packers 'did not want to lose' new special teams coordinator Maurice Drayton
List
Identifying Green Bay Packers top 4 needs entering free agency
