Atlanta Falcons: Limited options at kick-returner in 2021

The Atlanta Falcons have a limited number of options when it comes to who will return kicks for the team this season. There are three obvious options for a team that will need all the explosive plays they can get this season.

Looking at the Atlanta Falcons’ roster it is fairly obvious who will be in consideration for the kick and punt returner positions.  Cordarrelle Patterson and Avery Williams are the obvious choices when you look at the team’s options.

Patterson has plenty of experience as a return man and has broken touchdown runs returning kicks. The only downside to this option is the fact that Patterson is expected to be playing a role in the backfield and the wide receiver room as well.

Atlanta Falcons have limited options at kick-returner

While still likely their best return option he isn’t as quick as he used to be and there is the reason for injury concern about using your second running back and forth receiver as a kick returner when the Falcons are lacking depth as both positions.

Avery Williams is the Falcons’ second option and who I expect to ultimately win the job. Williams has the needed quickness and is far less detrimental to the team.

The kickoff is becoming increasingly hard to make plays on due to player safety reasons. With this in mind, it is a rarity Patterson would make a big impact on a kickoff and would be better used as a role player in multiple positions where he can have a larger impact on the offense.

If he looks capable in camp and pre-season Williams is who the Falcons should go into the season as their designated return man using Patterson sparingly in the position. It is hard to see any other viable options on the roster aside from these two.

Expect the battle for the position to continue to go through pre-season.