Are There Any New Kick Or Punt Return Candidates For Chiefs In 2022?

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Special teams is the ever-important element that can determine the closest of NFL games. This element can win or lose games in various ways, however. Accuracy or power could determine who wins a kicker job. Hustle or determination may help a young player land a role on the punt team. Finally, being able to accurately field the ball as a returner is a necessarily crisp part of the special teams unit.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, we have largely seen many of these roles occupied by the same names for the last few years. Tommy Townsend is the most recent change, as he became the new punter a couple of seasons ago. Harrison Butker has the kicker spot locked down. Meanwhile, Mecole Hardman has been the one who has held down the punt and kick return duties. But, could that change in 2022?

With Tyreek Hill now out of the picture, there could be an increased opportunity for Hardman on offense. If so, his chances to return kicks and punts could decrease. The Chiefs took a similar route with Hill eventually, after all.

Who could step in as the possible new returner? Here are three names that could be considered as top options for Kansas City, if Hardman is replaced. Let’s kick it off.

Skyy Moore

With kick returns and punt returns combined, Skyy Moore notched just over 20 total returns at Western Michigan. His experience may not be as fruitful as one would like for this particular spot. In addition, Kansas City may protect Moore early on to a degree, if they believe he should focus on offense.

There is merit for trying Moore out as a returner right away though, too. His ability to make defenders miss in the open field could lead to plenty of advantageous starts for Kansas City at the beginning of drives. Moreover, the rookie poses as a player who displays ample maturity when the ball is in his hands. Moore simply takes what is given to him on certain plays, while not wasting time in the open field, for example. Perhaps, that could carry over in the kick or punt return game. Moore’s vast understanding of angles and spacing could very well give the Chiefs a new sort of juice in their return game.

Isiah Pacheco

Another option, and another rookie for the Chiefs to consider as a possible kick or punt returner. Isiah Pacheco did not see quite as much run as a return man in his latter days at Rutgers. Yet, he fared considerably well as a freshman back in 2018. Throughout 18 opportunities as a kick returner, Pacheco gained 348 yards that year, good enough for a solid 19.3 yards per return. Similar to the aforementioned Moore, this player is quite dependable, when it comes to his vision and angles. That is especially true when Pacheco is able to work through tight areas or small creases in between defenders. Overall, he could have to showcase that sort of ability often in either the kick or punt return game.

Beyond the mental aspect, the physical profile of Pacheco is extremely tantalizing as a late-round draft pick. He mixes long speed with hard, rugged strides. That tough-nosed running style could lead to missed tackles. Especially as a kick or punt returner, Pacheco may be too tough for some defenders to corral or bring down. That may not seem like a major element to have in your back pocket. But for Pacheco, his ability to create extra yards for himself may be just what Kansas City is looking for from a kick or punt return player.

Jerick McKinnon

During the course of his professional career, Jerick McKinnon has 25 kick returns to his name. The returning running back last had 12 of those in 2020 with the San Francisco 49ers. He has gained a total of 575 yards on those kicks, with an average of 23 yards per kick return. For the most part, those opportunities have come and gone for McKinnon. He has cashed in noticeably when given those minor chances.

Just last year, the Chiefs tested McKinnon out as a returner during training camp and preseason practice. It would not be too outlandish to think that Kansas City may do the same thing again this year. With this running back, his top traits that could earn him the kick or punt return job are very similar to that of the incoming rookies mentioned above. McKinnon arguably has the best vision of any of the non-rookie running backs on the Chiefs’ roster. At the same time, you could clearly see how his speed and burst was a nice change of pace for Kansas City in last year’s playoffs. It would not be surprising to see the Chiefs give him chances to stake his claim early in the year at either kick or punt returner.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles in the coming days. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.