In 2021, the Denver Broncos special teams return unit was nothing to write home about. The Broncos finished the season ranked 20th in the NFL in average punt return yardage at 8.2 yards per return and ranked dead last in the league in kickoff return average.
Bear in mind, the kickoff return average could be skewed because of altitude in Colorado — however, Denver’s longest return on a punt was 25 yards, well below even the league’s average longest return (33).
The Broncos hope that new draftee Montrell Washington can help change that.
“[W]e thought that [Washington] had some dynamic traits as a return man,” said Denver general manager George Paton. “He’s a slot receiver. He’s good with the ball in his hands.”
In a 2021 game against the Florida Gators, Washington racked up 338 all-purpose yards, 179 of them coming on special teams. In fact, that game represents all of Washington’s college highlights.
At the beginning of a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in that game, Washington quickly wove his way through teammates and defenders, outrunning all 21 other players on the field.
“As a punt returner, as a kick returner, [special teams] coach [Dwayne] Stukes thought he would be our guy,” Paton said. “He has some dynamic traits that you can’t teach. We feel he will be an upgrade there.”
After the Broncos tried out two returners in 2021 (Diontae Spencer, whom the Broncos opted not to re-sign, and Kendall Hinton), new coach Nathaniel Hackett is excited to see Washington at this field-changing position.
“To be back there and catch those punts, catch those kickoffs and have all those guys running down at you — it’s a very unique talent,” said Hackett. “It’s hard to find guys like that. [It] was just so critical for our team to find somebody that can bring that. [Washington] is going to have to earn that.”
Washington will have to compete for the job this summer, but it seems clear that he’s the early favorite to become Denver’s new returner.