I think rookie KC Concepcion will be the primary punt returner. I think the competition for the kickoff return and core special teams coverage jobs will be among players already slotted to make the roster as backups.
Given Concepcion’s shiftiness, the returner role fits him well. He’s also someone, unlike Bond (despite his speed), with experience in the role. Last year, Concepcion led the SEC with 25 punt returns, including two touchdowns and an impressive 18.2-yard per return average.
The obvious concern is the health risk of having a first-round pick awaiting a punt while players are charging down the field looking to take him down. Injuries are a part of the game and cannot be prevented, but the Browns putting a player they’ve invested a high pick in precarious situations could be an unforced error.
Then again, there were 15 punt returns for touchdowns last year, and multiple players had multiple returns of 40 yards or more. Cleveland did not have a return for a touchdown, and WR Gage Larvadain, who returned 24 of the team’s 32 punt returns, averaged just 7 yards on those attempts. One or two big returns, and one being for a touchdown, could make the risk worth it.
Is the risk worth the reward with Concepción as the primary returner for the Browns this season?
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