The NY Giants have a good group of guys to choose from to return kicks and punts this upcoming NFL season
Head coach Joe Judge is going to emphasize special teams heavily to the 2021 NY Giants.
Judge’s history as a Special Teams Coordinator is important to him and he will make it a strong identity of this team. The Giants struggled in the punting and returning department greatly in 2020. Kicker Graham Gano’s kicking abilities was one of the few impressive or positive development from last season’s special teams units.
The NY Giants need a lot more help from their returners this season. They are invaluable playmakers on the team and they can help spark or change any football game. One big return can absolutely flip the outlook of a game and the Ny Giants need that type of potential in 2021.
Here is a look at the NY Giants’ top returners for 2021.
Jabrill Peppers, Safety
Peppers returns to the Ny Giants as the incumbent punt returner from last year.
Returning 15 punt for 187 yards in 2020, Peppers would figure to be the first option to reprise his role in 2021.
Peppers averaged a respectable 12.5 yards per return. Peppers’ season long was 20 yards and he had several other opportunities to break some returns even longer with better blocking or penalties wiping them off the board.
Peppers was one of the NCAA’s most dynamic returners of all time. He created a legendary legacy for himself at Michigan with highlight-reel returns blazing by opponents as he ran at a video game-like speed.
Peppers has always been a solid returner in his four years in the NFL and will look to continue to do so into 2021. He is the favorite to be the punt returner right now due to his experience in the system last season.
Dante Pettis, Wide Receiver
Dante Pettis is back with the Giants in 2021 for what will be his first full season in New York.
Pettis joined the team last season after the 49ers released him midseason. Pettis was claimed off waivers by the Giants as he is a talented, speedy recent 2nd rounder.
The 44th pick of the 2018 draft, Dante Pettis showed some real promise during his tenure in San Francisco with the Niners. In limited snaps in 2018, Dante had 27 catches for 467 yards which were good enough for 17.5 yards per catch. His uncoachable speed showcased his ability to be a deep threat.
Pettis left the NCAA as the all-time leader in punt returns for touchdowns with nine returned touchdowns. Pettis was a legend at Washington for coming up with huge plays when they needed them most. Although he hasn’t shown his returning abilities much in the NFL, his success in the Pac-12 provides hope for an option as a punt returner.
Pettis should be entrenched as the WR5 or WR6 on this team and will need to play special teams to make the team. Jabrill Peppers should be on the field for most defensive snaps so Pettis could be a logical option to return punts this season.
Adoree’ Jackson, Cornerback
Adoree’ Jackson is one of the New York Giants’ splashiest signings of the offseason.
Jackson will provide much-needed experience, talent, and speed to the cornerback group and is firmly entrenched as the starter alongside James Bradberry. Adoree’ was a 1st round pick in 2017 and the Titans had to release him this season as it became obvious they would not agree to contract terms.
Adoree’ was a terrific returner in college at USC and continued to do so in Tennessee in the NFL. In his three NFL seasons returning kicks and punts, Jackson recorded 53 punt returns for 464 yards for 8.8 yards per return. He also ran back 27 kickoffs for 601 yards, good for 22.3 yards per return.
Jackson has had issues staying healthy the last two seasons. However, any time he is on the field, Adoree’ is one of the most dynamic playmakers available. He has breakaway speed, vision to find pockets of space, and he has the jukes and cuts to make guys miss and hit the next level.
Corey Clement, Running Back
Corey Clement is headed to the Big Apple and leaving his Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia.
The Super Bowl LII hero was a four-year member of the Eagles. An undrafted free agent, Clement latched on to the team thanks to his toughness, hard work, his relentless attitude, and impressive skills on special teams.
Clement has never been much of a punt returner with only seven returns 17 yards but his ability on kickoffs is exciting. Clement is small at 5’10, 220 pounds but uses his stature and low center of gravity well.
Clement averaged 25.1 yards per kick return in four seasons with the Birds. He had 19 returns for 477 yards with a long of 48 yards. Clement is a sparkplug who can fire up his team and carry some momentum.
The NY Giants desperately need more of that in 2021. Clement has scored three touchdowns in six games vs the Giants. If he can carry any of that over to his return game in New York, it’d be a gamechanger for this team.
Kadarius Toney, Wide Receiver
Kadarius Toney is a top choice to be returning kicks and punts this season.
The NY Giants’ 2021 1st Round draft choice, Toney will be used in a variety of roles as a swiss army knife-type weapon. At UF, Toney was deployed at quarterback, running back, receiver, and returned both punts and kicks.
In four seasons in the SEC, Kadarius racked up 15 kick returns for 324 yards for a 21.6 average. Toney never really got his chance to return punts until his senior year where he shined as a punt returner. In 2020, Toney got his chance on punt returns and answered the call with 139 yards on 12.6 yards a return and an electric touchdown return vs Kentucky.
Toney ran a blazing 4.39 40 yard dash time at his UF Pro Day. He combines speed and the ideal size to go with his open-field abilities to make guys miss. Toney may not start right away on offense due to the presence of three veterans, but he can light up the field on special teams. He is dangerous with the ball in his hands and he can help Joe Judge find new talent for his special team operations.
Analysis
In conclusion, the NY Giants should have a strong field of options to choose from to return both kicks and punts this year.
The Giants can have Peppers return as their starting punt returner or they can give the NCAA’s all-time leading touchdown returner in Pettis. Jackson can chip in a dime and could provide some speed the Giants don’t have in their secondary.
On kickoff returns, clement could be a favorite to be the primary returner. He is a natural fit and has had success returning kicks against the Giants themselves. Toney could be used here as well to get him more snaps and get used to the speed of the NFL. If any of these guys ever got hurt, John Ross or Saquon Barkley could always be options as well.
This group is full of established and accomplished NFL veterans who have done this before on the biggest stages. Adding in a rookie to the mix who has experience in the SEC would be an exciting option as well. With plenty of dynamic playmakers, there are no excuses for the Giants’ return game to be much better in 2021.