ENGLEWOOD, Colo — Not long ago, teams used the second round of the NFL Draft to select their true returners who could also play a position, usually receiver.
Devin Hester, who is joining Randy Gradishar in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2024, was a second-round pick of the Bears in 2006. The Broncos made Eddie Royal their second-round pick in 2008 with the idea he would be their Hester. Royal turned out to be a receiver, first; returner, second. But still he had a punt and kickoff return for touchdowns in 2009.
The league’s new kickoff rule, where the field is nearly cut in off through formational setup while the number of returns are expected to rise dramatically, figures to put a premium on returners.
The Broncos have one very good returner in Marvin Mims Jr. But they will need a second one because two returners are to be positioned somewhere in the goal line-to 20-yard line box.
“It’s certainly going to put a premium on your two returners because you have to have two,’’ Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Thursday at his pre-draft press conference. “And then that box where you’re kicking the ball to, these guys, like third basemen, are going to have to be able to field these kicks pretty cleanly.’’
Not in the first round but in Day 2/early Day 3 of the NFL Draft next week don’t be surprised if the Broncos take a receiver with returnability. Can’t be just a returner. Has to be a returner who can play out, whether as a cornerback, receiver or running back.
For now the Broncos don’t have a second-round pick. But they didn’t have one going into the 2022 and 2023 drafts either, only for general manager George Paton to trade into the last pick of that round to take Nik Bonitto one year and Mims the next.
The Broncos had Texas’ backup running back Keilan Robinson in for a top 30 visit last week in large part because of his return skills. He’s projected as a late-round/premium undrafted free agent. There may have been other returner types who visited Dove Valley in recent weeks.
Here’s a look at some receivers with return skills whom the Broncos may consider (with school, height, weight and official 40 time):
Xavier Legette, South Carolina, 6-1, 221, 4.39
He did little his first 4 college seasons, then had 71 catches for 1,255 yards last year as a fifth-year senior. Legette also had 25 kickoff returns for 654 yards (26.2) and a touchdown.
Lideatrick Griffin, Mississippi State, 5-10, 181, 4.43
A slot receiver who is in his fourth college season had 50 catches for 658 (13.2). In his four seasons, Griffin had two kickoff returns for touchdowns with a 30-4-yard average.
Malik Washington, Virginia, 5-8, 191, 4.47
More slot receiver than returner, he compiled a stunning 110 catches for 1,426 yards and 9 touchdowns as a 5th year transfer from Northwestern.
He also returned 14 kickoffs. Wasn’t great at it, averaging 19.5 per return. But he did it for the first time as a fifth-year senior, an indication he understands returning will help him at the next level.
Ladd McConkey, Georgia, 5-10, 186. 4.39
Missed time with injury last year but had 58 catches for 762 yards and 7 TDs as a third-year sophomore slot receiver for the national champion Bulldogs in 2022.
A punt returner but the NFL’s new kickoff rules will have the ball traveling with greater, punt-like hang time.
Xavier Worthy, Texas, 5-11, 165, 4.21
Look at that 40 time again as it set an NFL Combine record. Worthy is a good player, evidenced by his 75 catches for 1,014 yards. He had 12 touchdown catches as a freshman. He may be moving toward the back-end of the first round.
He’s a punt returner but a great one, as he averaged 16.9 yards last season off 22 returns with a touchdown.
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