The Jacksonville Jaguars used all 12 of their draft picks in April and their last went towards a kick returner in Memphis defensive back Chris Claybrooks. While the NFL hasn’t opened fully due to COVID-19 and players who aren’t receiving injury treatment can’t report to their respective facilities, Claybrooks said he’ll have no trouble making an impact whenever he arrives at the Jags’ facility.
“I have been returning kicks all my life – in high school, JUCO and Memphis,” Claybrooks said via the Florida Times-Union. “I am going to turn it loose with the Jaguars.”
It certainly wouldn’t be shocking if Claybrooks turned things loose with the Jags as he averaged 30.7 yards per kickoff last season with 11 returns for 338 yards. He even returned a kickoff to start Memphis’ game against Cincinnati.
With the coronavirus causing complications and forcing Memphis to close their pro day, Claybrooks said he sent a tape to all 32 teams which included a video of him running a 4.2 in the 40-yard dash. Clearly, the Jags were impressed and now he’ll have a chance to compete and be the team’s starting kick returner once things get back to normal, according to general manager Dave Caldwell.
In 2019, the Jags’ leading kick returner was receiver Michael Walker, who had 18 returns for 411 yards. However, with the second-year player having problems protecting the ball at times, Claybrooks clearly has a shot to overtake him and be the No. 1 kick returner.
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