The Giants may have found their return specialist at OTAs
The New York Giants' special teams unit ranked near the bottom of the NFL last season, averaging just 21.4 yards per kick return and 6.2 yards per punt return, respectively. The Giants tested out a number of different return specialists last season, including starting CB Adoree' Jackson.
Jackson suffered a season-ending injury while returning a punt in Week 11. Putting a defensive starter out on special teams had severe adverse effects on the team as a whole. In order to avoid making this mistake again, the Giants should consider adding a designated return specialist to their roster.
In-house WR Kalil Pimpleton looks like he could be in a position to take on the role after turning heads at OTAs this spring. The second-year receiver out of Central Michigan spent the 2022 season on New York's practice squad after going undrafted last spring. This summer, Pimpleton could use his return skills to earn himself a promotion to the regular-season roster.
Pimpleton earned the Mid-American Conference Special Teams Player of the Year award for his return work in 2021 at Central Michigan. He ran back 16 punts for 304 yards and two touchdowns as a redshirt junior that year.
Despite demonstrating obvious talent as a punt returner in college, Pimpleton was kept on the practice squad to develop last season. This year at OTAs, he looked like a new and improved player, making an impact as a receiver during team drills. He caught a touchdown reception on a pass from Tyrod Taylor and hauled in a deep, over-the-shoulder grab from Daniel Jones at OTA No. 5.
The Giants have put a bunch of players in the mix for their wide-open returner position. Jackson has taken reps as a returner again at OTAs, along with rookie WR Jalin Hyatt (who does not have any special team experience).
“We’ll put as many guys back there as we can to figure that one out,” head coach Brian Daboll told the New York Post when asked about the competition at punt return specialist.
New York has a competition brewing for the return specialist position. While Pimpleton may not stand out as a top receiver on the roster, his dynamic ability to break tackles and extensive history of returning punts in college could give him an opportunity to take the starting job.
Ultimately, it will be down to whether or not Pimpleton can expand his impact on Sundays. The Giants have a solid group in their receiver room. Pimpleton will need to prove that he can make plays on offense, too, if he wants to secure a spot on the final roster.
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