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Why the Kansas City Chiefs return game will dominate in 2019

By Farzin Vousoughian

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 09: Mecole Hardman #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs returns a kick against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second quarter of a game at Notre Dame Stadium on September 9, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 09: Mecole Hardman #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs returns a kick against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second quarter of a game at Notre Dame Stadium on September 9, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The Kansas City Chiefs currently have a lot of experienced return specialists that will help the team’s special teams unit flourish in 2019.

One reason why Kansas City Chiefs  offense performed at a high level in 2018 was the success of the return game, setting up Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense with great field position most of the time. Despite scoring only one return touchdown, being the very first punt return of the season, the Chiefs were still in the top 10 in kick return and punt return yards. In 2019, the Chiefs should do even better with a plethora of options for the return game.

Although Tyreek Hill is tabbed as one of the best punt returners in the NFL today, his status for 2019 is uncertain, and the Chiefs must be ready to have someone else fill in. The good news is that special teams coordinator Dave Toub has what he needs for the Chiefs to continue to be one of the best in the NFL in the return game.

With Hill possibly facing a suspension, the Chiefs drafted three players in April who can contribute in the return game in wide receiver Mecole Hardman, safety Juan Thornhill and cornerback Rashad Fenton.

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While prepping at Georgia, Hardman took back 35 kickoffs and 39 punts, including one punt back for a touchdown. In addition to running an official 4.33 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL combine, Hardman is a viable candidate to handle some of the teams return duties.

Fenton contributed as a kick returner for South Carolina, taking back 26 kickoffs, including one for a touchdown his freshman year in 2015, along with a pair of punt returns. Compared to Hardman, he has less experience as a returner in college. But with Toub’s guidance, Fenton can thrive as a returner in Kansas City if given the chance.

Thornhill never returned a kickoff nor punt in college, but he could make the transition given his abilities as a defensive back. During his senior year at Virginia, Thornhill collected six interceptions for 141 return yards, being in the top five in college football in both categories. Along with a 40-yard dash time of 4.42, Thornhill’s ability to amass yards after an interception could allow him to make a smooth transition as a returner. Thornhill would learn quickly and could be considered for return duties if the Chiefs need him to do so.

Outside of the 2019 draft class, Kansas City has wide receiver Byron Pringle, who dominated as a returner just a couple of hours west of Kansas City at Kansas State. Pringle has 39 kick returns for 1,076 yards and a pair of touchdowns in two seasons. Though limited, the Chiefs can also consider running back Darrel Williams, who collected six kick returns for 91 yards at LSU.

Although cornerback Tremon Smith never saw the end zone as a rookie kick returner in 2018, he had two big returns of 97 and 61 yards, each on the road against New England and Seattle. Smith finished third in kick return yards with 886 and averaged 26.8 yards per return, the fourth highest in the league.

Toub and head coach Andy Reid have virtuous options on special teams. In 2018, the Chiefs averaged 24.4 yards per kickoff return, being eighth in the league. They also averaged the third most yards from punt returns. Even though these are high rankings, it is not out of the realm of possibilities that Kansas City could improve in both categories, given its personnel. In fact, don’t be surprised if Kansas City’s return game will be similar in 2013 when the team had three different players, Quintin Demps, Knile Davis and Dexter McCluster, take back a kickoff or punt return for a touchdown.

Next. Just how good does the Chiefs defense need to be?. dark

With or without Hill, the Chiefs return game will be stronger and will continue to give Mahomes and the offense great field position.

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