Cleveland Browns: Finding a kick returner a priority with new rules

The NFL recently announced new rules for how kickoffs will be played during the 2018 season. With the new rules, the Cleveland Browns need to find a kick returner to take advantage of these new rules.

The Cleveland Browns have not returned a kickoff for a touchdown since Joshua Cribbs returned three in the 2009 season. Ever since that season, the Browns have been unable to accomplish much on kickoffs.

Part of that is because the NFL has been making it harder for teams to return kicks in general. Over the past few seasons, there is a greater chance that there is a touchback on kickoffs than there is a return on kickoffs.

But with the new rules that the NFL recently adopted for next season, the chances of a team returning kicks instead of taking a knee in the endzone has increased.

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With more chances of kickoff returns, the Browns need to find a player that will be able to take advantage of these new rules. Since the team kicking off will be unable to have running starts, they will not get down the field as quickly as they used to. And once they have built some momentum, the new alignment for blockers on the returning team will stunt that momentum.

That means whoever is returning kicks has a good chance of getting good yardage out of their returns.

For the Browns, they need to use training camp and preseason to find a guy that can put their offense in great field position. Even if that player doesn’t return for a touchdown, having a guy that can put the offense in good field position is very beneficial.

The Browns do have potential options on the roster already: Matthew Dayes, Jabrill Peppers, and Evan Berry.

Dayes and Peppers both returned kicks in 2017 for the Browns. Dayes had a better average on returns, averaging 24.3 yards per return on his 18 returns. But even though Peppers wasn’t as successful, part of the reason he was a first round pick was his ability to be an electric returner.

Evan Berry was an undrafted free agent signing for the Browns. While at Tennessee, returned four kickoffs for touchdowns with an average of 34.3 yards per return. His best chance of making the 53-man roster is via special teams.

If the Browns want a dynamic player returning kicks because of the new rules, Berry could find himself with a good chance of making the 53-man roster.

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Although there is a good chance that teams try to find kickers that can always kick the ball out of the endzone, there will be times that the returner is given a chance to return kicks. The Browns have had a revolving door of returners with very little success. Finding a reliable returner for the 2018 season could help the team in winning some games.

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