Devin Duvernay was a wise investment for Jaguars with new kickoff rule

Devin Duvernay stands to get a ton of opportunities to make big plays for the Jaguars thanks to the NFL’s new kickoff rules.

Just a couple weeks ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars wasted no time signing former Baltimore Ravens return specialist Devin Duvernay to a two-year, $8.5 million contract. It wasn’t exactly a costly addition, but it already looks like a wise and prescient investment.

On Tuesday, the NFL passed a new kickoff rule with two key goals: less injuries and more returns. Here’s everything you need to know:

  • The kicking team will kick off from its own 35-yard line.
  • 10 members of the kicking team will line up on the receiving team’s 40-yard line (25 yards in front of their kicker).
  • A minimum of nine members of the receiving team will line up between their own 30- and 35-yard lines (five-to-10 yards in front of the 10 members of the kicking team).
  • The receiving team can have zero, one or two players inside their own 30-yard line to receive the kickoff.
  • The play begins when the ball is either caught, hits the ground in the landing zone (inside the 20-yard line before the goal line) or is returned from the end zone. That’s when players can begin moving.
  • Any kick that hits the landing zone must be returned.
  • Any kick that bounces from the landing zone into the end zone must be returned or kneeled for a touchback (with possession going out to the 20-yard line).
  • If a kick doesn’t reach the landing zone, the receiving team gets possession at its 40-yard line.
  • If the ball enters the end zone in the air, the receiving team can return it or kneel it for possession at its 30-yard line.
  • If the ball is kicked out of bounds, the receiving team gets possession at its 40-yard line.
  • There are no fair catches.
  • Onside kicks are only permitted in the fourth quarter and must be declared to officials.

All of that translates to a play that looks a little something like this:

There’s not much incentive for kicking teams to boot it into the end zone and there’s every reason to expect Duvernay to get a ton of opportunities to make plays.

In Baltimore, Duvernay twice earned Pro Bowl honors and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. For the relatively low cost of $4.25 million per season, the Jaguars added arguably the best player in the NFL at a position that suddenly looks significantly more valuable.

Jacksonville’s moves to bring back special teamers Daniel Thomas and Caleb Johnson also aged well, as it’ll be important to have gunners capable of getting down the field and bottling up opposing returners.

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Devin Duvernay agrees to two-year deal with Jaguars

The Baltimore Ravens are set to lose another player in free agency as wide receiver Devin Duvernay has agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $12.5 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars. All-Pro special teams player Devin Duvernay has agreed to a …

The Baltimore Ravens are set to lose another player in free agency as wide receiver Devin Duvernay has agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $12.5 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Duvernay was drafted out of Texas by the Ravens with the No. 92 overall pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The speedy receiver made his mark as a return man for Baltimore, earning a first-team All-Pro selection to go with two Pro Bowls as a return specialist.

Jaguars signing Ravens’ 2-time Pro Bowl returner Devin Duvernay

The Jaguars are signing one of the NFL’s best returners to replace Jamal Agnew.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a deal in place to sign Baltimore Ravens return specialist Devin Duvernay to a two-year, $8.5 million contract when he becomes a free agent Wednesday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Duvernay, 26, earned two Pro Bowl nods and All-Pro honors in his four seasons with the Ravens. He averaged at least 11 yards per punt return in all four seasons and led the league in 2021 with 13.8 yards per return. On kickoffs, Duvernay has a career average of 24.8 yards per return with two return touchdowns.

For the last three years, the Jaguars have had Jamal Agnew returning punts and kicks. While he earned Pro Bowl honors for the 2022 season, Agnew’s last season with Jacksonville was cut short by a fractured leg. He’s due to become a free agent Wednesday.

The Jaguars also drafted wide receiver Parker Washington in the sixth round last year and turned to him in the return game with Agnew out of action, but got underwhelming results.

As a receiver, Duvernay caught 122 passes for 880 yards and five touchdowns in his first three seasons with the Ravens. But with the additions of Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. to the offense, Duvernay finished the 2023 season with only four receptions for 18 yards.

According to Rapoport, offensive incentives could raise the value of Duvernay’s deal to $12.5 million.

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10 pending free agents the Ravens should not re-sign

We’re looking at ten pending 2024 NFL free agents that the Baltimore Ravens should not re-sign

Baltimore faces an offseason of change after Mike Macdonald bolted for the Seahawks job. Anthony Weaver landed the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator job, and 26 players, headlined by Patrick Queen, are set to be free agents.

Justin Madubuike landed the franchise tag, leaving Baltimore -$9 million over the salary cap ahead of the early tampering period.

With an urgent offseason underway, we’re looking at ten pending free agents who shouldn’t return.

10 takeaways from the Ravens 2023 season

We’re looking at ten takeaways from the Baltimore Ravens 2023 NFL season

The Ravens have concluded their 2023 season, and the focus now shifts to what’s shaping up to be a franchise-altering offseason for general manager Eric DeCosta.

Baltimore is 20th in the NFL in cap space, with $5 million available, and there will be critical decisions regarding several vital contributors and two All-Pros. And they’re spending about $120+ million plus on the offensive side of the football.

With the NFL Combine set to begin, we’re looking at ten takeaways from the Ravens 13-4 regular season.

Predicting the fates of Ravens free agents in 2024

We’re predicting whether Baltimore Ravens free agents should stay or go ahead of the NFL’s new league year

Baltimore faces an offseason of change after Mike Macdonald bolted for the Seahawks job. Anthony Weaver landed the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator job, and 29 players are set to be free agents, headlined by Patrick Queen and Justin Madubuike.

The Ravens are 20th in the NFL in cap space, with $5,138,828 available, and there will be critical decisions regarding several vital contributors and two All-Pros.

With an urgent offseason underway, we’re looking at who should stay or go via Over The Cap.

How different will the Ravens’ defense look under new DC Zach Orr?

We’re looking at five ways the Baltimore Ravens defense will look different under new defensive coordinator Zach Orr

The Ravens quickly replaced Mike Macdonald as defensive coordinator, promoting inside linebackers coach Zachary Orr.

Orr, who played for the Ravens from 2014-2016, is a fast-rising star in the coaching ranks.

The 31-year-old Orr has been on the Ravens staff since 2017, save for one season with the Jaguars and Urban Meyer in 2021.

An undrafted player from North Texas, Orr was forced to retire because of a neck/spine condition. During his final season in 2016, Orr had his best year, finishing with 133 tackles, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.

The Ravens introduced Orr to the media on Tuesday, and with the former NFL linebacker firmly entrenched, we’re looking at the multiple ways this defense will look different.

Studs and duds from the Ravens 2023 season

We’re looking at studs and duds from the Baltimore Ravens 2023 NFL regular season

The Baltimore Ravens have concluded their 2023 season, and the focus now shifts to what’s shaping up to be a franchise-altering offseason for general manager Eric DeCosta.

Where things currently stand, Baltimore expected to have roughly $7,328,828 in cap space, via OverTheCap, which is the 20th most in the NFL.

That number could grow if the team opts to part ways with some expensive contracts (perhaps Ronnie Stanley and/or Marlon Humphrey.

With the offseason underway, we’re looking at studs and duds from the 2023 regular season.

2024 NFL Free Agency: 7 Ravens that will flourish on other teams

We’re looking at seven Baltimore Ravens 2024 NFL Free agents that’ll flourish on another team

General manager Eric DeCosta, Ozzie Newsome’s successor, has grown increasingly aggressive in handing out contracts, and he’s now built a Super Bowl hopeful for 2023 and beyond.

The Ravens are 20th in the NFL in cap space, with $7.3 million available, and there will be critical decisions regarding several vital contributors and two All-Pros. And they’re spending about $120+ million plus on the offensive side of the football.

PFF recently did an early ranking of the top 50 free agents for 2024, and John Harbaugh’s squad had four players make the list.

The overall positional spending will change in the coming years after Lamar Jackson signed a massive five-year, $260 million contract extension, making him among the three highest-paid players on average in NFL history.

With the NFL offseason fast approaching, we’re looking at seven players that’ll flourish on another roster.

Highlights from the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, Flag Football competition

We’re looking at highlights from the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl games, and the Flag Football competition

We can now look towards Super Bowl 58 as the NFC won the Pro Bowl Games with an overall score of 64-59.

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson broke up a pass from Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to Los Angeles Chargers receiver Keenan Allen, creating a turnover on downs with four seconds remaining.

Stroud led all quarterbacks with 173 yards on 18-of-22 passing, while Seattle Seahawks’ Geno Smith led the NFC in passing with 154 yards on 15-of-21 passing.

Allen was among the standouts, with 90 receiving yards on nine catches, including three touchdowns receiving and one passing.

Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb had three touchdown catches including one from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had 10 catches for 117 yards and a TD for the NFC.