A solid return game can give an offense the chance to succeed by setting them up with good field position. A great return game can change the game at a moment’s notice. While often overlooked, special teams can win football games.
Having a solid kick returner and punt returner on a team is imperative to building a complete NFL team, which is probably what the Pittsburgh Steelers were thinking when they invested their third round draft pick in Dri Archer last year. Archer, a running back out of Kent State, ran a blazing 4.16-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine, the second-fastest recorded time in NFL combine history. He broke open his fair share of plays at Kent, using his pure speed and elusiveness to avoid tacklers and weave his way through the open field.
That being said, he had a mouse-quiet first year in the league. After he was allowed to return kicks for the first few weeks, he was pulled after failing to show the kind of explosiveness he displayed in college. Additionally, he never carved out a role in the running game, though it isn’t easy when the guy in front of you is one of the best in the league.
An inferior blocker and lacking the size to break tackles (5-foot-8, 178 lbs), Archer won’t be an every-down back anytime soon. However, there still could be a role for him on the team. The Steelers need to protect one of their most valuable assets in Antonio Brown, which means that they cannot afford to be allowing him to return kicks as much as he could be.
It’s time for Archer to step in and show the creative play that the Steelers are looking for. Returning kicks allows him the space he needs and allows his field vision to set up plays.
After a disappointing first year, Archer needs to be given the opportunity to succeed.