We are less than a week from the start of the Atlanta Falcons’ 2019 training camp. While the roster is mostly settled going in, several positions are still up for grabs. After examining the team’s left guard and backup linebacker competitions, today we will take a look at Atlanta’s return specialist candidates.
Last year, the Falcons lost Taylor Gabriel to the Bears in free agency. This year, Marvin Hall followed him to Chicago, leaving the team without their best kick returner. Over the next few weeks, they will try to find a replacement. Here are five players who could be in the mix.
Kenjon Barner
Barner played the final four games of 2018 for Carolina after a short stint in New England and was not half bad. He returned nine kickoffs for a total of 220 yards (24.4 yards per return) with a long of 37 yards. On punt returns, Barner wasn’t nearly as effective, averaging 4.1 yards on seven attempts. The best season of Barner’s career came in 2016 in Philadelphia, when he averaged 30.8 yards per kick return. Barner may not have the upside of some of the team’s younger/faster options, but he’s a relatively safe and proven choice if the other candidates are not up to the challenge.
Marcus Green
Green has the most potential in this group group and was likely drafted primarily because of his return ability. His 4.41 second 40-yard dash time and his knack for racking up yards after the catch make him an ideal NFL return specialist. Green’s astonishing production in college speaks for itself. In his junior year, he tied for the most kickoff return touchdowns in the nation (four), and averaged 32.3 yards on 27 returns. As a senior, he averaged 17 yards per punt return and scored once. Green is the best option for either returner spot and it’s possible he’ll play both.
Justin Hardy
Last season Hardy was Atlanta’s top punt returner, averaging 7.4 yards on 20 attempts. If the Falcons don’t want Green to play both spots, Hardy should be the front-runner to win the starting punt returner job again. He probably won’t be involved in the kickoff returner conversation, though. Hardy has value as a low-key solid No. 4 receiver and does other things on special teams, so his roster spot is safe either way.
Calvin Ridley
Ridley has always possessed the ability to be an intriguing return man. However, his status as a first-round pick will make the Falcons a little more cautious to use him on special teams. Ridley led the team with 10 receiving touchdowns as a rookie in 2018 and clearly will be playing a huge role in Atlanta’s offense going forward. If the team can’t find the production it’s seeking from one of the other returners or somebody gets injured, Ridley could certainly get a look. Last season, he returned two kickoffs and averaged 25 yards per attempt.
Brian Hill
Hill hasn’t gotten much work in the regular season since being drafted in the fifth round in 2017. When he has been out there, though, Hill’s been quite effective, averaging 6.3 yards per carry on 31 attempts. On special teams, the Falcons have only given him one career kickoff return attempt. Hill doesn’t have game-breaking speed, but he holds his own and has the vision that all good returners need.
Projected Winners:
Kick returner: Marcus Green
Punt returner: Justin Hardy
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