Tag: kick returner

Broncos host CB/KR Isaiah Bolden on pre-draft visit

Isaiah Bolden, who led the NCAA with an average of 36.9 yards per kick return in 2021, visited the Broncos’ facility earlier this month.

The Denver Broncos recently hosted Jackson State cornerback Isaiah Bolden on a pre-draft visit, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Bolden (6-2, 205 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds at Jackson State’s pro day, according to Andscape.com’s Jean-Jacques Taylor. He was selected by the Memphis Showboats in the USFL draft in February but opted not to play in the spring league, instead focusing on preparing for the NFL draft.

Bolden started his college career at Florida State, spending two years with the Seminoles before transferring to the Tigers in 2021. He had a breakout season as a returner in his first year at Jackson State, leading the NCAA with an average of 36.9 yards per kick return. Bolden returned 16 kickoffs for 591 yards and two touchdowns as a junior.

Last fall, Bolden returned 10 kickoffs for 260 yards, an average of 26 yards per return. He also totaled 44 tackles and broke up seven passes in 2022.

Bolden told J.T. Keith of the Mississippi Clarion Ledger that he has heard he could be drafted “anywhere from the third to fifth round,” but most mocks have him going undrafted. Bolden might be a late-round prospect or undrafted free agent candidate for the Broncos later this month.

Denver likely views Bolden as a potential candidate to compete for their return job this summer. The draft will be held from April 27-29.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Broncos view Tremon Smith as an ‘elite special teams player’

Broncos coach Sean Payton believes cornerback Tremon Smith will be an “elite” special teams player in Denver.

The Denver Broncos added more depth at cornerback and on special teams when they signed Tremon Smith to a two-year contract last month.

Smith has only started five games on defense in his career, including four over the last two seasons with the Houston Texans. After breaking up four passes and intercepting two others last year, Smith has proven to be more than just a special teams ace, but his biggest contributions in Denver will likely come as a returner.

“With Smith, I see a player that obviously competes outside of corner,” coach Sean Payton said at the NFL owners’ meetings last week. “I see an elite special teams player. Corner, special teams — I see 24 snaps [a game]. You have to look at it that way. The vision is pretty clear.”

Smith played 361 snaps on special teams and 202 snaps on defense with the Texans in 2022. He’s been far more involved on special teams (1,163 snaps) than on defense (462 snaps) through five seasons in the NFL.

Smith returned 19 kickoffs for 417 yards and four punts for 53 yards in Houston last season. He’s now set to compete with Montrell Washington for the Broncos’ kick return duties this summer.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Check out these highlights of new Broncos CB/KR Tremon Smith

Tremon Smith seems poised to become a key special teams player for the Broncos this year.

The Denver Broncos added depth at cornerback and competition at returner this week when they agreed to terms on a two-year deal with defensive back Tremon Smith.

Smith, 26, spent the last two seasons playing for the Houston Texans. Last year, he totaled 22 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions in 17 games (two starts) with the Texans.

In addition to getting rotational playing time on defense, Smith returned 19 kickoffs for 417 yards and returned four punts for 53 yards in Houston last year. In Denver, Smith will likely be a top candidate to return kicks for the Broncos this season.

Here are some of Smith’s highlights from his time with the Texans:

(If the video does not play here, you can watch it on YouTube).

Mic’d up for a touchdown return:

And another return touchdown from his rookie season:

Smith seems poised to become a key special teams player in Denver while also providing depth in the secondary.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Broncos signing CB/KR Tremon Smith to 2-year contract

The Broncos are signing cornerback/returner Tremon Smith to a 2-year contract.

The Denver Broncos are adding more depth at cornerback and perhaps a new designated returner.

The Broncos have agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth up to $5.5 million with cornerback Tremon Smith, according to KPRC-TV’s Aaron Wilson.

Smith (5-11, 190 pounds) entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick out of Central Arkansas with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. He went on to spend time with the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts before joining the Houston Texans in 2021.

Smith has served as a rotational cornerback and special teams ace with his five previous teams. He totaled 22 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions in 17 games (two starts) with the Texans last year.

Perhaps more notable, Smith returned 19 kickoffs for 417 yards and five punts for 53 yards last season. He has averaged 24.7 yards per kickoff return in his career.

Montrell Washington, who handled most of the Broncos’ return duties last season, averaged 18.9 yards on kickoff returns in 2022. Washington now appears to have serious competition at returner, and Denver has more depth at cornerback.

We are tracking all of the team’s free agency moves on Broncos Wire.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos returner Montrell Washington aims to bounce back in 2023

Broncos returner Montrell Washington will aim to bounce back from an ugly rookie season in 2023.

The Denver Broncos used a fifth-round draft pick to select Samford’s Montrell Washington last April.

Washington is a wide receiver by trade, but the Broncos picked him primarily with his return abilities in mind. The 5-10, 170-pound speedster was quickly named the team’s returner, but he did not keep the job.

After five fumbles in 15 games, Washington was benched when Jerry Rosburg took over as interim coach late in the season.

“The whole season has been a learning experience for me to be honest with you,” Washington said last week. “The good, bad and ugly. The returns were good, but the muffs — the muffed kick I had one time when I should have downed it. Just things like that — situational things. The whole season has been a learning experience.”

Rosburg benched Washington, but he didn’t suggest the Broncos should give up on the young returner. Rosburg acknowledged Washington’s talent, and he said the returner can improve.

“I believe everything Coach Jerry says,” Washington said. “I respect the man. Anything coach says I should work on and get better, that’s what I have to do and that’s what I am going to do.”

Washington returned 32 punts for 271 (8.5 yards per return) and 18 kickoffs for 340 yards (18.9 YPR). If he’s going to win back the return job this offseason, Washington will have to show a lot of improvement this summer.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

 

Cowboys return ace KaVontae Turpin questionable for Week 18; who is Plan B?

Turpin did not practice Friday with an illness; Peyton Hendershot is the only other Cowboy who’s returned either a punt or a kick this year. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The seasonal virus that has worked its way through the Cowboys locker room for nearly two months running could make things interesting right up to and including the final game of the regular season.

KaVontae Turpin popped up on Friday’s practice report, sitting out the day’s walkthrough with an illness. He is officially listed as questionable for the team’s Week 18 contest in Washington.

The rookie was voted to the Pro Bowl Games as the NFC’s return specialist, but if Turpin is still under the weather come Sunday, the Cowboys may have to go Plan B.

Problem is, who that would actually be isn’t immediately obvious.

Turpin is the only player to have returned a punt for Dallas this season, recording 290 yards on 25 returns. Of the team’s 20 kick returns, Turpin has 19 of them. Rookie tight end Peyton Hendershot ran one back for 18 yards in Week 10 against Green Bay.

Running back Tony Pollard is listed on the team’s official depth chart as the second-string return man behind Turpin, but with the almost-1,000-yard rusher playing such a vital role in the Cowboys offense and just returning from a thigh bruise, it’s difficult to imagine the team putting him in such a high-risk situation, especially with with the playoffs looming.

Looking back at last season doesn’t provide an obvious answer, either. In 2021, CeeDee Lamb led the team with 14 punt returns and Trevon Diggs had two; both also have to be considered too valuable to suddenly expose to that kind of risk for the first time all year. Cedrick Wilson (11 punt returns) is gone; Nahshon Wright returned one punt for zero yards last season.

Pollard was still handling kick returns in 2021, with the now-jettisoned Corey Clement and JaQuan Hardy spelling him.

So who on the current roster could get the call if Turpin can’t go?

C.J. Goodwin is already a special teams ace. So is Luke Gifford. Would John Fassel turn to a current ball-carrier with collegiate return experience? Like Malik Davis? He returned a handful of kicks at Florida. Noah Brown returned one, too, at Ohio State… back in 2014.

Or is there someone else on the practice squad that the coaching staff has that kind of trust in? Wide receiver Antonio Callaway has seven punt returns and eight kick returns on his pro resumé. Cornerback Kendall Sheffield handled six kick returns for Atlanta in 2019.

Heck, Micah Parsons has probably already put in his request.

Only time will tell if Turpin can be ready for Sunday’s kickoff. But the 26-year-old rookie can’t really be blamed for being a bit run down; between his spring season as MVP of the USFL and his electrifying full first season in the NFL, Turpin played an incredible 30 professional football games in the calendar year 2022.

The Cowboys are hoping to get just about five more out of him before a well-deserved break.

[vertical-gallery id=708331]

[listicle id=708312]

[listicle id=708316]

[lawrence-newsletter]

Chiefs ST coach Dave Toub names Kadarius Toney, Isiah Pacheco starting return specialists

#Chiefs ST coordinator Dave Toub gave updates on the usage of RB Isiah Pacheco and WR Kadarius Toney as return specialists.

Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub provided an update on the team’s evolving return specialist situation on Thursday.

With Mecole Hardman heading to injured reserve, the team has one fewer option at punt returner. Thankfully, the team added a new option at punt returner at the trade deadline in Kadarius Toney.

Asked whether Toney would be the starter on punt returns moving forward, Toub confirmed that Toney would be the starter. He also expressed overwhelming excitement over eventually seeing him get a chance to return one.

“Yeah. Yeah, you know right now he is. I can’t wait to see him get a ball kicked to him,” Toub said. “We haven’t had that option really. They did a good job last week of using the sidelines and hanging the ball up pretty good, so you know sooner or later he’s going to get one kicked to him and we’re going to find out what he’s got. We’ve got a pretty good feeling about it, though.”

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce recently spoke on what he’s seen from Toney in practice on punt returns.

As for the situation on kick returns, even with Isiah Pacheco’s increased opportunity on the offensive side of the ball, the plan is for him to remain as the team’s starting kick returner. Toub confirmed they are, however, looking at some of their other options, should they need to take the load off of Pacheco.

“Skyy (Moore) returned one because in that scenario, he’s on the hands team, so he’s in there for that situation. Yeah, we’re going to start looking at other guys too as well, but I really like Isiah (Pacheco) back there. He’s dangerous. It’s really not bad for him to start out back there and get the game going for him a little bit rather than just start out on offense. I think in that, we’re pretty comfortable with him being back there.”

One area where Pacheco will no longer be contributing on special teams is kick return coverage. Per Chiefs Wire’s Wesley Roesch, Pacheco has lined up as L3, which is the second player to the left of Harrison Butker on kickoffs. He was taken off kick coverage duty in Week 10 and replaced by a combination of Jody Fortson and Noah Gray. 

“(Kick coverage) is the first thing that we’re going to take him out on to be honest with you,” Toub said. “We’ll take him off of kickoffs and probably going forward here unless he gets less reps on offense. Because he was effective there too for us. He did a good job in there. He’s a good football player. But we’re going to keep him on kick returns, though.”

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwa53mtds520q2 player_id=none image=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=140666]

Broncos signing returner Montrell Washington to 4-year contract

Montrell Washington is set to earn about $4 million over the next four years with the Broncos.

The Denver Broncos have agreed to terms on a four-year contract with rookie receiver/returner Montrell Washington, Ryan O’Halloran of The Denver Post first reported Thursday. Washington will earn $4,029,872 over the next four years, according to OverTheCap.com, an average of $1,007,468 per season.

Washington was selected by the Broncos in the fifth round of the NFL draft out of Samford in April. He’s a receiver by trade but Washington will likely serve primarily as a return specialist in Denver, similar to the role Diontae Spencer previously held with the Broncos.

Washington totaled 60 receptions for 813 yards and nine touchdowns last year with the Bulldogs. Those were fine numbers, but what caught Denver’s eye was Washington’s 985 return yards (742 on kickoffs and 243 on punts) and three returns for touchdowns in 2021.

Washington seems extremely likely to become the Broncos’ new designated returner for both kickoffs and punts, but they won’t hand him the job. Washington will have to compete this summer, with KJ Hamler and Kendall Hinton presumably among his competition for return duties.

[listicle id=678778]

Wisconsin has a change in its special teams depth chart entering Iowa week

Wisconsin has a change in its special teams depth chart entering Iowa week

Wisconsin kick returner Devin Chandler entered the transfer portal after the team’s victory over Army last week. The news came Monday afternoon, so Wisconsin had already released its depth chart for the contest at Purdue.

Both wide receiver Chimere Dike and cornerback Faion Hicks returned kicks for the Badgers on Saturday. Dike took two kicks back for 34 total yards and a 17-yard average, while Hicks’ only return was a fair catch.

Related: Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 8 — Hey, Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s special teams depth chart for Saturday’s game against Iowa sees a change at that position:

Wisconsin has a changes at RB, TE in its Week 8 offensive depth chart

Wisconsin has a changes at RB, TE in its Week 8 offensive depth chart

Wisconsin has released its depth chart for Saturday’s contest against the No. 25 Purdue Boilermakers.

There were a few subtle changes to note, as things must be shuffled for the upcoming game with RB Isaac Guerendo ruled out for the year and TE Jack Eschenbach ruled out for Saturday’s game.

Related: Three ruled out, four listed as questionable for Wisconsin’s contest at Purdue

There will also be a change at kick returner with Devin Chandler having entered the transfer portal earlier today. The news came out after the depth chart was released, so Chandler is still listed as the No. 1 at that position with CB Faion Hicks listed No. 2.

Here is Wisconsin’s complete offensive depth chart for Saturday’s game against Purdue: