Philadelphia Eagles: Nelson Agholor, Darren Sproles to return kickoffs?
The Philadelphia Eagles could have a different look on kick returns this season.
It’s been a while since the Philadelphia Eagles have had a permanent kick returner. In recent years, the team has utilized multiple returners with running backs such as Wendell Smallwood and Kenjon Barner. The kick return game hasn’t been as successful as the Eagles wanted it to be. That may have something to do with their defense hardly letting anybody score on them, but still, being ranked 32nd in return yards in 2017 isn’t exactly the best look.
The Eagles could look to do something different in 2018 though. Since the start of training camp, they have hosted plenty of return drills that featured a handful of guys on roster. We all know that Darren Sproles has the punt return game locked up, but what about kickoff returns? Last season, we saw Wendell Smallwood start off the year as the kick returner. But once Sproles went down, and Jay Ajayi came to town, Smallwood was no longer active on game days.
Eagles second-year veteran Corey Clement was featured in the return game alongside Kenjon Barner. But with Barner out of the picture, and Clement gaining a more prominent role on the offense, the Eagles seem to be searching for a different look this year.
Who is leading the pack?
Believe it or not, we may see Darren Sproles return kickoffs in 2018, and it makes perfect sense. It’s been quite a long time since Sproles has served a team by returning kickoffs. In fact, during his four years in Philly, Sproles has only returned on kickoffs three times.
It obviously had something to do with the fact that Sproles was heavily featured in the backfield. But this season he may want to do everything that he can, and we sure do know that Sproles can return kickoffs quite well. After all, he is hanging up his cleats after this year, so why not do it all?
Sproles isn’t the only fresh face in the kick return game though as of late. It looks like the Eagles may try to implement their top slot receiver Nelson Agholor in the return game as well. Since entering the NFL, Agholor has returned five kicks for 92 yards in 2016. That’s not bad considering he was never really looked at as a potential return guy when the Eagles drafted him.
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Nothing is set in stone as of right now, but Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane has observed Agholor and Sproles to be the usual suspects in the return game since the start of training camp. Seeing as though Smallwood could be out of the picture in the coming weeks, it only makes sense that the Eagles find their return men sooner than later.