In 2021, the Denver Broncos particular groups return unit was nothing to put in writing residence about. The Broncos completed the season ranked twentieth within the NFL in common punt return yardage at 8.2 yards per return and ranked useless final within the league in kickoff return common.
Keep in mind, the kickoff return common may be skewed due to altitude in Colorado — nevertheless, Denver’s longest return on a punt was 25 yards, effectively under even the league’s common longest return (33).
The Broncos hope that new draftee Montrell Washington will help change that.
“[W]e thought that [Washington] had some dynamic traits as a return man,” mentioned Denver normal supervisor George Paton. “He’s a slot receiver. He’s good with the ball in his arms.”
In a 2021 sport in opposition to the Florida Gators, Washington racked up 338 all-purpose yards, 179 of them approaching particular groups. In reality, that sport represents all of Washington’s faculty highlights.
At first of a 98-yard kickoff return for a landing in that sport, Washington rapidly wove his means by teammates and defenders, outrunning all 21 different gamers on the sector.
“As a punt returner, as a kick returner, [special teams] coach [Dwayne] Stukes thought he could be our man,” Paton mentioned. “He has some dynamic traits that you could’t train. We really feel he can be an improve there.”
After the Broncos tried out two returners in 2021 (Diontae Spencer, whom the Broncos opted to not re-sign, and Kendall Hinton), new coach Nathaniel Hackett is worked up to see Washington at this field-changing place.
“To be again there and catch these punts, catch these kickoffs and have all these guys operating down at you — it’s a really distinctive expertise,” mentioned Hackett. “It’s laborious to search out guys like that. [It] was simply so crucial for our staff to search out someone that may deliver that. [Washington] goes to need to earn that.”
Washington must compete for the job this summer time, but it surely appears clear that he’s the early favourite to turn out to be Denver’s new returner.
