Could Rookie Anthony Schwartz Win The Kick Returning Job?

Schwartz’s track skills are formidable.

They have to be to earn the nickname “Flash.”

He has won gold and silver medals representing the United States in international track events including the 2017 Pan American U20 Championships and the 2018 World U20 Championships.

At Auburn’s Pro Day in March 2021, Schwartz ran a 4.26 40 yard dash.

Speed is an important component on special teams.

The kick returner has to be able to accelerate quickly as soon as he catches the ball.

2. Rushing Experience

It is not as though Schwartz spent all of his time catching passes at Auburn.

He was utilized in the running game also.

Schwartz scored 7 rushing touchdowns and netted 323 yards on the ground during his Auburn career.

He is not just a wide receiver; he knows how to protect the ball and run downfield with it from the line of scrimmage.

Though it is not exactly comparable to special teams experience, it is more similar than what he does as a wide receiver.

3. Underdeveloped Part of Browns Game

Another reason Schwartz could win the job as kick returner is because the Browns special teams game has lacked a superstar.

It has not been since 2015 since the Browns had a special teams touchdown, and that was a punt return by Travis Benjamin.

This is not meant to minimize the efforts of Donovan Peoples-Jones, JoJo Natson, and D’Ernest Johnson, but the Browns special teams roster needs a jolt.

A jolt of speed, that is.

Maybe in the class of retired players like Devin Hester or Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard.

Both also competed in track in high school or beyond, and they were serious threats to run every punt or kick back they fielded.

It got to the point that kickers would kick away from these players which opened up other possibilities for their special teams coaches.

Schwartz could be that type of player on special teams that opposing kickers fear and keep the ball away from.

Anthony Schwartz is a versatile player who is one of many new faces on the Cleveland Browns that will be fun to watch this summer and fall.