Will Christian Watson or Romeo Doubs Help the Packers As Return Specialists?
By GilMartin
Packers fans are all too familiar with the team’s struggles on special teams in recent years. Last year, it was a big reason the team lost their playoff game to the San Francisco 49ers and missed a chance to at least host the NFC Championship Game.
The return game has been part of the problem. Last year, the Packers started the season with rookie, seventh-round draft pick Kylin Hill as their primary kick returner while third-round pick Amari Rodgers returned punts. Neither player was outstanding in their respective roles. In eight games, Hill averaged a very mediocre 19.9-yards per kick return while Amari Rodgers averaged 8.3-yards per punt return and struggled to hold on to the ball.
It has been 23 seasons since the Packers last had a return specialist go to the Pro Bowl and that was Roell Preston back in 1998.
GM Brian Gutekunst selected two players in this year’s NFL Draft with experience returning either kicks or punts in second-round pick Christian Watson and fourth-rounder Romeo Doubs.
Watson returned kicks in each of his four seasons with North Dakota State although he only returned a total of 18 kickoffs during his college career. His average was 20.4-yards per runback with a long return of 48 yards.
There is no question that Watson has the tools to be a returner in the NFL. His 40-yard dash time at the combine was 4.36 and once he gets started, he is very difficult to bring down from behind. Watson has also demonstrated the elusiveness necessary to be a good kick returner.
After the injury Hill suffered last year while returning a kick, will the Packers coaching staff be willing to risk having Watson run back kicks in 2022? He certainly could give them a weapon they have lacked in recent years at the position and it would give him a way to contribute to the team’s success as he learns the offense and adjusts to life in the NFL. It may be the quickest way for Watson to contribute in his rookie season, especially early in the year.
Doubs may be a more polished route runner than Watson at this point in their respective careers which has led some to speculate he may be more ready to play a bigger role in the offense than Watson, at least in 2022. The Nevada alum also has good speed and in addition to receiving duties, he served as a punt returner in college.
In fact, the first touch Doubs had at Nevada was an 80-yard punt return for a score against Portland State. Over his college career, Doubs averaged 12.5-yards per punt return. Many draft experts even ranked Doubs higher on their draft boards because of his ability to return punts.
One issue that Amari Rodgers had in returning punts was judging when to catch the ball and when to let it bounce. Doubs did not have a big issue with that in college and hopefully he can eliminate some of the mistakes that Rodgers made a year ago in that department. The result should be better field position for the Packers over the course of the season, something that hurt the club several times in recent years.
Rookie receivers tend to struggle to adjust to the NFL game. Pro playbooks are much thicker and the route trees that receivers are asked to run are much more complex than what they did in college. NFL receivers are also being defended by a much bigger and faster defenders who use better technique than their college counterparts.
By having Watson and Doubs add return duties to their resume this fall, the Packers can upgrade this crucial position and give their rookie wideouts a chance to make additional contributions in their first season in the NFL.
We also know how return specialists have played a key role in past Packers title runs. Travis Williams returned four kickoffs for touchdowns in 1967 and averaged 41.1-yards per runback.
In 1996, Desmond Howard returned three punts for touchdowns during the regular season and one more during the Packers playoff game against San Francisco.
In Super Bowl XXXI, Howard became the first ever special teams player to be named MVP of the game after he accumulated 244 total return yards including a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that clinched the Packers win over the New England Patriots.
While Watson and Doubs have a long way to go before matching the outstanding numbers Williams and Howard put up, just giving the Packers some legitimate weapons in the return game would be a long-awaited step forward for this team this season.
It may be one of the less talked about benefits to arise from the Packers 2022 draft class.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
__________________________
Comments (67)
greengold
May 07, 2022 at 12:32 pm
16 returns between the two players for 3 TDs?
I’m going to go out on a limb and say, “Hells to the YES!”
LLCHESTY
May 07, 2022 at 04:26 pm
Doubs had 37 punt returns at Nevada but only a couple kickoff returns. Much better average as a PR.
pantz_bURp
May 07, 2022 at 12:24 pm
We do need someone to be a reliable, legitimate returner for punts primarily...and then for kick return. Being a punt returner gets much respect from me. You are usually looking up and locating the ball, accessing it's trajectory knowing the punt team is barreling down on you. Split second decision...catch it or let it go? Once secured, then you look to find any lane to exploit. Desmond was so amazing at this. So cool to see the swagger on a punt returner (or kick returner) when they know they are truly superior. What a compliment if the punt team continuously kicks away from you rather than right at you because the opponent likes their odds. Man, I love football...is it training camp yet???
splitpea1
May 07, 2022 at 12:34 pm
I sure hope so, because that is the partial reason these prospects were drafted--especially Watson, who cost us an extra second-round pick.
I'll be curious to see how Amari fits into the scheme of things this season....
Slightly switching gears, if there's one prospect from this draft who we really need to be a quick learner on the offensive end, it's Doubs. We're going to need him to provide a legitimate downfield threat and stretch the field so we can move the chains without too much difficulty.
Stroh
May 07, 2022 at 10:09 pm
Watson is the one who will immediately become the deep threat. Doubs might help, but right now Watson is far and away the deep threat we lost in MVS! As Watson develops he will grow into WR1 role as well. I see Doubs becoming the smooth route runner, much moreso than a deep threat.
jannesbjornson
May 08, 2022 at 04:29 pm
Doubs has fast feet and knows the inside game from the Air Raid offense. He will have to bring it in faster and hang on to the ball when he gets hit. Watson can also take the shallow cross to the house. I would start both of them and not look back.
PhantomII
May 07, 2022 at 12:33 pm
I think so BUT......I think Watson has a huge upside and I don't want him hurt running full speed at an entire ST wall of players trying to make their team and get cheap shot onto the IR when we need him to produce in other aspects of the offense for an entire season.
dobber
May 07, 2022 at 01:39 pm
Yup. I think I'd rather have my 4th round pick taking first shot at return duties.
That said, my early hunch is that Doubs is the WR darling of preseason and ends up having a better statistical rookie year than Watson.
PhantomII
May 07, 2022 at 03:17 pm
I'm okay with it as long as Watson has 800-1200 Yds and 10 TD's.....
Bure9620
May 08, 2022 at 06:48 am
Watson is not getting that many snaps.....
splitpea1
May 07, 2022 at 03:22 pm
Plenty of higher round picks have been used for return duties; good examples are Aiyuk, Reagor, D. Samuel (to a small degree), Duvernay (Pro Bowler), Rondale Moore, and going way back, the aforementioned Desmond Howard.
There's nothing wrong with using your talent in a multi-purpose fashion if that's what helps the team win. Besides, these two prospects haven't achieved any indispensable status to the offense yet; it wouldn't be like putting D. Adams or A. Jones back there in the past.
Everybody wants to see improvement from the special teams, but if you continue to use only the bottom of the roster or play in fear, it's probably going to be minimal. Right now it needs to be all hands on deck until we get a clearer picture of everyone's role on the team.
LLCHESTY
May 07, 2022 at 04:29 pm
Yep, makes no sense to play scared. Kickoff returners don't get that many opportunities to return anyway. Unless, like the Packers, the team is so bad at returns it's worth the risk to kick it short.
Coldworld
May 07, 2022 at 05:20 pm
I think it’s very likely that Doubs is more critical to the offense starting out.
I think Toure has handled returns too, from memory.
greengold
May 07, 2022 at 07:06 pm
No. Toure only had 2 PR for a 4.5 yd. avg. I think Toure might wind up as a gunner, but, who knows? He did express his willingness to do anything on STs. Guess that leaves options for his use wide open.
Maybe Bisaccia tries him at PR, likes him, and coaches him up further there.
They’ll be fine. Bisaccia is the best in the business. He’ll have it all figured out, and, I’m actually really excited for all the STs work we are about to see this season.
With THIS DEFENSE? We’re going to be seeing a lot of returns. Teams will be punting it back to us left & right.
Coldworld
May 07, 2022 at 07:30 pm
Wasn’t that only in his last year, after transfer?
greengold
May 07, 2022 at 08:45 pm
You know, Coldworld, I think that was it. I just looked up his stats, after double checking realized it was just his Nebraska stats listed. Went to Montana Grizzlies site with no mention of him involved in any PR or KR contributions.
Coldworld
May 07, 2022 at 09:20 pm
22 kick returns at an average of 18, almost all as a freshman, but only the 2 punts at Nebraska
Tundraboy
May 07, 2022 at 08:37 pm
Oh God no. Not worth risk
Irish_Cheesehead
May 07, 2022 at 01:06 pm
Neither. I still think we need to sign a return specialist. These two guys need to focus on route running and learning the offense. We are too thin at receiver to risk one of these guys to injury on special teams. Any chance the 7th round pick can return kicks? I don’t know much about him.
jannesbjornson
May 08, 2022 at 04:32 pm
I thought they brought in Amari with a three pick to take care of the return Game? New Season, Open Competition. Cannot get into another Burks, Jackson situation.
Lphill
May 07, 2022 at 01:24 pm
Amari Rodgers was a third round pick , I’m not sure the Packers will give up on him just yet but the more competition the better.
dblbogey
May 07, 2022 at 04:16 pm
We kind of suck with 3rd round picks. I do like our #3 this year, so he'll probably bust. Sorry, I'm feeling grouchy after mowing the yard.
MainePackFan
May 07, 2022 at 07:20 pm
To be honest, I was pumped when we got Amari. Granted, he was not involved last year, and when he was he looked like a fish out of water. Last year is over. This much we know, when Gute feels he's made a mistake he has no problem cutting bait. I have a feeling Amari will be fine. Same with Degura.
However, the Sternberger pick makes me feel grouchy, and I didn't even mow my lawn :)
Coldworld
May 08, 2022 at 09:28 am
It might help to try him in the role he played in college?
Leatherhead
May 07, 2022 at 01:44 pm
Please, I'm begging you.
Don't lose Watson for the season returning a punt or a kick, the way we lot Kyrin Hill for last season and Dillon in the playoffs. The vast, overwhelming majority of punt returns are for less than 10 yards and that doesn't include penalties.
Or injuries. Or turnovers. Fair catch every punt, unless you don't think you can safely catch it, and then let it hit the ground and get away from it. Only return kicks that you have to and then protect the ball and get down before you cough it up. Starting at the 20 is still better than turning it over.
We're expecting a significant contribution from Watson on offense. Let's not waste it because we think he might, maybe, possibly have a superduper return next season.
IMO, Cobb should be our punt catcher. We shouldn't return any kicks we don't have to, and since teams kick off after they score, I don't expect to have to return that many kickoffs, either.
PatrickGB
May 08, 2022 at 08:32 am
I get it. I don’t either. I don’t want to lose any promising player. Yet it is football. Players have been hurt in practice and workouts but they still must do that too. If the other players on ST’s properly protect then the likelihood of injury diminish. But even after writing the above I still cringe when I see players flying around on teams.
Coldworld
May 08, 2022 at 09:34 am
Cobb returned starting out, but I think it depends on the role in the O during a rookie year. I don’t want an integral part of the O risked in regular season play. I also would prefer rookies who have a steep learning curve on O to focus on that. If we bring Watson on in limited packages, then fine, use him. Last year we did the exact opposite with Rodgers though, making him master everything rather than run option/slot, so that remains to be seen.
If Hill is healthy, he and Gafford have returned kicks. If the others, Toure has returned kicks in college and a couple of punts. Perhaps one of those can step up in punts as well or perhaps Rodgers or even Taylor clicks under competent coaching?
Cobb is too old and fragile to be more than a bad weather catcher as Woodson was occasionally. He’s more valuable on O even if just as a limited snap piece. Hopefully we won’t need better hands than our main returner for those moments anyway.
Otherwise, assuming all things are equal in terms of competence, for me, pick the one of Watson and Doubs who is expected to be involved in less offensive calls as a receiver initially to handle returns.
JonathanSpader
May 07, 2022 at 02:10 pm
The biggest difference at ST is the fact that the Packers finally stopped promoting from within and expecting to improve. I'm excited for our new ST coordinator and still a little in disbelief that we got him.
Michah Hyde returned multiple kicks for TDs. Swervin Ervin was an amazing ST player. As someone pointed out Cobb has plenty of experience. Assuming a rookie will take the role of returner as the article suggests doesn't make sense its not Watson or Doubs job. Competition breeds excellence and it can't be much worse than Amari last year.
Leatherhead
May 07, 2022 at 06:08 pm
"......can't be much worse than Amari last year".
Bite your tongue. It can get worse. My memory needs a little refreshing, perhaps, but I recall two fumbles by Rodgers on punt returns. I also recall Malik Taylor touching a live ball, and Cobb muffing one. I also seem to recall a really stupid penalty on a return in one game.
Can anybody fill in the blanks on this? I know he did some stupid runs at times, and two turnovers is plenty, but was he actually worse than the two turnovers he was charged with?
greengold
May 07, 2022 at 06:54 pm
I’m not worried about our return units one bit with Rich Bisaccia running STs. He’s our ACE in the hole.
Whoever he wants in there at PR/KR, I trust they will be coached for success.
Coldworld
May 08, 2022 at 09:26 am
I do have to say that I’ve got some significant questions about the role of coaching with the likes of Taylor and Rodgers back there. Not to say that they should be candidates, but the systemic cluelessness seemed all pervasive in STs. Perhaps that’s part of the problem. I do trust RB to go with both a competent individual and to give clear guidance on decision making. That’s part of the improvement as well as the players available.
jannesbjornson
May 08, 2022 at 04:38 pm
My Memory is very lucid. In fact, I recall Randall Cobb taking the Kickoff 108 yards to the House in his very first game with the Pack and tilted the game for a WIN. Players, not Plays.
Stroh
May 07, 2022 at 10:18 pm
Why do you say Irvin was amazing? He was only amazing in comparison to the Packers putrid returners before him. He was only average overall, if that.
Doubs and Rodgers should complete for punt returns. I'd prefer not to risk Watson on kick returns.
jannesbjornson
May 08, 2022 at 04:44 pm
Where is he Now? ....etc...etc...
Coldworld
May 08, 2022 at 09:27 am
Ervin was good initially, after that not so much, when he was healthy.
Spock
May 07, 2022 at 04:05 pm
No one is mentioning using these super fast lads as a GUNNER on SP. We could use help there as well. I know I'm in the minority here, but plenty of other teams use starters for teams. I remember MLF was studying the statistics for success vs. injury. We'll see what they come up with. Me, personally, if ST is a ticket to be on the 53 I'd be all in (as I type this I'm trying to position the right pinkie I dislocated in backyard football. It's not -quite- as gruesome as Larry McCarren's, but it's close, lol). Anyway, good article for discussion.
Johnblood27
May 07, 2022 at 04:38 pm
you are SOFT Spock! just cut it off!!! ...or better yet - bite it off!!!
Leatherhead
May 07, 2022 at 07:23 pm
Why don't we just punt out of bounds every time, and then we wouldn't need any gunners and we could keep extra guys in to protect so we don't get the punt blocked.?
You can use starters, and some teams do, but you dress a limited number of people and they have to be players you could put on the field if necessary, so it's kind of pointless to let your stars get injured. Most teams return about 2-3 punts per game, and most returns are less than 10 yards. The injuries, turnovers, and penalties that you get trying to make a big play on special teams usually aren't offset by a good return or two.
jannesbjornson
May 08, 2022 at 07:33 pm
Ask Ray Guy.
Tundraboy
May 07, 2022 at 08:48 pm
Agree, but I have to say. "I remember MLF was studying the statistics for success vs. injury" Lot of good that did last year with Dillon.
Coldworld
May 08, 2022 at 09:45 am
Don’t put key players on return duty in season except in a true emergency and don’t use game critical ones unless there is zero alternative ever. Most high pick punt returners are used before they get established as fixtures on O or D, or only at critical moments.
Coldworld
May 08, 2022 at 09:41 am
Our hybrid ILB/S is an obvious gunner candidate. Daffney has been good as a gunner when healthy and most of the receiver candidates other than Cobb and Lazard profile as potential gunners. In addition, we’ve brought in ST specialists, in season (S Shawn Davis) and a couple of CBs with ST ability in FA to add to the likes of Gaines and others returning. There should be plenty of candidates for RB to evaluate.
JohnnyLogan
May 07, 2022 at 04:38 pm
Let Cobb return punts. Experienced. Sure handed. We don’t need an All-Pro returner. I’ll take smart and reliable.
Leatherhead
May 07, 2022 at 07:26 pm
Hard to believe you got downvoted on that. I know that he had a muffed punt last year, but if there is one person on that team that I'd trust to catch a punt without screwing it up, it'd be Cobb.
Coldworld
May 07, 2022 at 07:33 pm
Cobb has enough trouble staying healthy as it is. He’s getting a bit long in the tooth to be a regular punt returner anyway.
Bure9620
May 08, 2022 at 06:53 am
Cobb will be on IR by week 7....
Bure9620
May 08, 2022 at 06:53 am
Cobb will be on IR by week 7....
LLCHESTY
May 09, 2022 at 02:49 am
He looked pretty sure handed last year on that PR. 🙄
Johnblood27
May 07, 2022 at 04:42 pm
Richie B is the key to all things ST.
Lets see what he thinks of the material available for filling out the blocking on ST, then it can be adequately assessed whether there is a substantial risk or not for the returner(s).
Sure hands is number 1.
Decision making ability is number 2.
Explosiveness is number 3.
LH while I may somewhat agree with your "never return a kick" philosophy, I just do not see an NFL team ever taking that approach.
Leatherhead
May 07, 2022 at 07:33 pm
We shall see. I think there are some people who'd like to see the kickoff taken out of the game and just start on the 25. Few injuries, makes the game go faster.
I think it's like "Moneyball". I think if you run the analysis, you're probably ahead to fair catch every punt and take the touchback whenever you can.
The other side of that coin is that you could choose to be tricky on the kickoffs, and squib it and do other things that force the opponent to recover the kick. Yes, we're ceding some field position, but we increase the chance of getting a turnover.
Minnesota and Green Bay each kicked off 94 times last year. The Purple only about 20 returns, the rest were touch backs. The Packers had about 45 returns against them. If we're serious about limiting kick returns, we should just kick it through the endzone everytime.
Coldworld
May 07, 2022 at 07:35 pm
I don’t see other teams letting them until such time as a threat is shown if they do.
MooPack
May 07, 2022 at 06:53 pm
How bout they start with Samori Toure and go from there.
BirdDogUni
May 07, 2022 at 08:08 pm
Forgive me if I don't want our 2nd or 4th round WRs returning Punts or Kicks.
How about the guy who has 4.28 speed and is already on the roster?
Rico Gafford...
He can solve all our return problems without subjecting our drafted WRs to the dangers of returning.
golfpacker1
May 07, 2022 at 08:54 pm
We need CB help as well so trade for Desmond King, All America CB at Iowa and really good at punt return. 2 positions of need and wouldn't cost much.
Leatherhead
May 08, 2022 at 09:44 pm
This guy fumbled 4 punts in his final year with the Chargers. He’s been on three teams in two years.
Amari Rodgers was charged with two fumbles. One he recovered. One went out of bounds.
Also, we’ll dress 6 CB, tops. Alexander, Stokes, Douglas, Shemar, Ento, and Nixon.
golfpacker1
May 07, 2022 at 09:00 pm
Chargers stole him in 4th round in 2018. We should have drafted him then. He averaged 10 yrds per punt return last year, 27 on Kickoff and plays a strong CB. The Texans own him this year and will trade anyone. Hell they gave us Cobb for a 6th rounder. That sounds about right. Go get him.
pantz_bURp
May 07, 2022 at 10:47 pm
Holy moly gentlemen & ladies! I am trying to lean into #12's mindset. So I ate 10-15 prunes and chugged something called Colon Blow from the corner of Healthy & Happy! Ohhh sure, it took a while to kick in, but when it did....when the "dust settled"...I feel like a new man. An extra bounce in my step, a feeling that I can ward off the evil spirits I met at the drive- through of Taco Bell. Sorry, I know this is a Packer forum. But, through the build up to the draft...the Draft...and post draft...what I am trying to say is. Even I, even me with my vast knowledge (in my mind envisioning me a shepherd, you all my flock)...even I am just a man. I put my pantz on one leg at a time. So please, please DON'T be intimidated by my NFL and Packer genius. I am no better than anyone else (ah hell, yes I am). What I am trying to say is...Go Pack Go!
Update: feeling so good, gonna put some sauce (cologne...Drakkar noir) on before breakfast tomorrow and ask Sweet Pea if she wants to go to a concert. I am feeling so good, hope to find one that involves The Outfield & The Cure! Okay, that's it it my flock...gonna hit the sack. Nighty nighty. I am thinking I might get a "flock you!" from some of my sheep (which I will be counting......on) :D
Rarescope
May 07, 2022 at 11:54 pm
So I settle in for my nightly bedtime stories… most recent comment is from pantz_burp… yep, definitely going to start by reading that. Thank you sir for not letting me down!
pantz_bURp
May 08, 2022 at 05:36 am
Good morning R-scope. Nothing new to report. Except, got up early and went straight for the mouthwash. Since I was up, went outside and shook the trees in both my front and backyard to wake the birds. Went back in the house real quiet like. Turned my attention to the Drakkar noir and treated it like a Heinz 57 ketchup container...applied a splash mainly around my neck(s) area.
Update: staring at Sweet Pea to get up already!!! I can feel my patience evaporating. Now, I know what it's like for Lambeau (my one-eyed cat) having to wait for me to get up to feed the beast. He sits on my belly and puts his front paws on my neck and stares...STARES! I can just picture him looking at my right eye, then my left...then repeating the sequence over and over. Leap (2-eyed feline companion) at least just sleeps in the living room somewhere.
Okay, hope you have a fantastic day R-scope! I am at a crossroads now...giddy with anticipation of SP getting up so I can make her eggs and treat her like a woman ought to be treated AND/BUT slowly losing feeling in my arms and guessing a few charlie horses to follow. Okay, Happy Mother's Day... to ALL you Mothers out there. :D
Update to the update: in the bathroom scrubbing every ounce of Drakkar off getting almost down to the bone! Reason? Well, SP finally woke up and must have gotten a good olfactory sniff of the Drakkar! (I must admit, I forgot it's powers from my UWEC days/nights)...I digress...I asked SP how she wanted her eggs. She says "FERTILIZED". Let that sink in for a bit...a little longer...I don't want any lil' burps running around. I ain't built for this. Waitttt, wait...maybe, just maybe if that lil' burp keeps on increasing his speed from the frig to me with a Leinies protected real well, with his eyes up and great lateral movement to miss both Lambeau and Leap...we just might have our punt and kick returner???
Rarescope
May 08, 2022 at 06:17 am
With genetics such as yours I’m sure any offspring would be successful at whatever suits there fancy. Caucasian versions of Eileen Gu I have no doubt. I hadn’t considered the beer fetching factor when laying down the law with my missus that there were to be no wee bairns running bout the homestead…
pantz_bURp
May 08, 2022 at 06:20 am
I like your style R-scope! 👌😁
mekose5719
May 08, 2022 at 07:24 am
Start working from home! Great work for-Ever, Stay at Home Moms OR anyone needs an extra income. Get started. You only need a computer and a reliable computer connection so don’t get late try…… worksful.com
Johnblood27
May 08, 2022 at 08:42 am
burp, sounds like you and sp gonna have a "late try"
pantz_bURp
May 08, 2022 at 09:10 am
J-Blood...sounds like so much work, I mean...just the act. But, if Special Teams needs help in about 23 years, who am I to impede success? Instead of WWJD, it is WWJBD? :D
Ferrari-Driver
May 08, 2022 at 12:19 pm
For the last 15 years, the NFL punt return average among all teams has been between 7.6 yards and 9.9 yards. The spread from that average to the best three to the worst three amounts to a few yards.
A number of times Leatherhead has pointed out that the number of injuries, fumbles, penalties that occur during a punt may very well make it wiser to fair catch or in some instances, let it bounce that risk aforementioned negatives.
I don't know what is best and could only provide some statistics. However, I'll leave it to our new special teams coordinator and hope for the best.
Leatherhead
May 08, 2022 at 10:51 pm
Welcome to the Dark side.
LLCHESTY
May 09, 2022 at 03:04 am
I don't remember a lot of teams winning titles playing scared football. Big returns often turn the tides of games. They shouldn't be shunned but embraced. If you don't have a top returner keep looking til you find one. Is it that easy to forget Desmond?