Can Keenan Reynolds Become The Next Great Kick Returner?

Dec 12, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds (19) runs during the first quarter against the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds (19) runs during the first quarter against the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens have had two kick returners make history with touchdowns in the Super Bowl. Keenan Reynolds has a chance to be the best kick returner the Ravens have had.

While the Ravens are hoping to develop Keenan Reynolds into the next great slot-receiver, they may have just found the next great kick returner. Special teams is where Reynolds has the best chance to have an instant impact.

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Reynolds comes from a Navy offense where he was asked to be a play-maker with the ball in his hands. He was a running quarterback operating the flexed wishbone. It’s not a knock against Navy but transitioning from that to the Ravens offense is not a seamless task.

Reynolds is a player that makes plays with the ball in his hands. In the NFL, he has to find a new way to get the football. For the first time he will be asked to run routes, and at an NFL level nonetheless. Reynolds has great potential as a receiver but its going to take some time.

But returning kicks is a much easier task for a rookie to do. Half of the battle is having an instinctual feel for the game. With opponents flying full speed in your direction, it takes someone who sees the window of opportunity before it is there. Reynolds is a natural. This part of the job is something he has nothing to worry about.

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Go back and look at some of his Navy Football highlights. You’ll notice that he is incredibly elusive and can always make something out of nothing. Reynolds has a chance to be a great kick returner because he is almost impossible to stop with a full head of steam in the open field.

There is just something special about Reynolds. He has a gracious personality. He was the biggest star at the Naval Academy since Roger Staubach. And Reynolds is the only sixth round draft pick that I have written a handful of posts about. Reynolds will make good things happen where ever he goes. Right now he is with the Ravens and kick returner is his most promising position.

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The Ravens drafted Reynolds to be a weapon for their offense. Instead they may have found their next great return man. First there was Jermaine Lewis. Then there was Jacoby Jones. Reynolds is poised to be the next great Ravens kick returner.

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