Punt returner has been a particularly troublesome spot for the Los Angeles Rams. Xavier Smith has made a handful of big plays during his time with the Rams, but he only averaged 9.3 yards per return last season and had a costly muff in the NFC title game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Smith appears to be the team’s top punt returner again this season, but special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone says the Rams have “a lot of options” at that position – including Kyren Williams.
Panic set in among fans and fantasy football players in 2024 after Sean McVay said Williams would be the Rams’ punt returner, and it appears he’ll compete for that job again this year.
“Yeah, I think we have a lot of options back there,” Ventrone said Sunday. “I think Xavier
is going to keep developing. We're going to keep training him. I think Kyren is an option. We have a number of ball handlers on the roster. We're just going to keep getting those guys opportunities. I think, obviously, competition brings out the best in everybody so we're going to get guys opportunities and we'll see what happens.”
Ventrone didn’t mention anyone else who could be in consideration to return punts, but looking at the Rams’ roster, it’s hard to find the quality options he’s referring to. There are very few experienced returners on the team, especially when it comes to players who are certain to make the 53-man roster.
Blake Corum and Jordan Whittington are both decent kick returners, but neither returned a punt last season. In fact, Smith fielded 27 of the Rams’ 28 returned punts last year, with Williams returning the other one.
It’s a spot that the Rams will need to sort out in training camp before the season begins, but it looks like this is Smith’s job to lose again.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams have 'a lot of options' at punt returner, including Kyren Williams
