Harrison Butker, rookie Mecole Hardman stand out on Chiefs’ special teams in 2019
As the Chiefs prepare for the NFL Scouting Combine and 2020 NFL Draft, we’re evaluating each of the team’s position groups. Previously, The Star looked at the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.
To wrap up the position group series, here’s a look at the special teams unit.
2019 FINAL ROSTER (SPECIALISTS): Kicker Harrison Butker, punter Dustin Colquitt, long snapper James Winchester
2019 FINAL ROSTER (RETURNERS): Mecole Hardman, Tyreek Hill
INJURED RESERVE: None
FREE AGENTS: None
Position review
From a botched field goal attempt to a blocked punt, the Chiefs special teams unit, normally one the NFL’s top reliable units under coordinator Dave Toub, experienced a couple of hiccups in 2019.
Toub, though, used his unit’s errors and mistakes around the league as teaching methods to improve play.
Individually, the Chiefs got the most out of their specialists.
Butker, who garnered AFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors in November, continues to make his case as one of the league’s elite kickers after a record-setting campaign.
With 147 regular-season points, the third-year pro established a single-season club record for points by a kicker. Butker, who has 426 career points, set an NFL record for most points by any player in his first three seasons.
The past year was just another day at the office for Butker, who already holds numerous team records, including most points for a kicker in a rookie season (142 in 2017), most field goals made in a single season (38 in 2017) and most made extra points in a season (65 in 2018).
Colquitt, who played his 15th season the past season, continued to be a factor in helping flip the field. He averaged 44.3 yards per punt and placed 21 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. In 2019, Colquitt, the longest-tenured Chiefs player on the current roster, surpassed guard Will Shields for the most games played in franchise history.
Winchester wrapped up his fifth season as the team’s long snapper.
Returners
The Chiefs had DeAnthony Thomas for six games as a punt returner early in the season before electing to let Thomas go in favor of Hardman.
While Hardman made his mark on offense in his rookie season, totaling 26 catches for 538 yards and six touchdowns, the speedster developed into the spark plug needed down the stretch on special teams as a punt and kickoff returner.
Hardman produced 167 yards on 18 punt returns and 704 yards and a touchdown on 27 kick returns, earning a second-team All-Pro selection and Pro Bowl nod as a returner.
With Hardman’s success, the Chiefs didn’t need to rely on Hill to return kicks.
Looking ahead
Colquitt, who turns 38 on May 6, enters the final year of his contract and will earn a base salary of $1.9 million in 2020. Given Colquitt’s age, it would make sense for the Chiefs to look at punters during the summer months to potentially groom a successor.
Other than the punter position, the Chiefs don’t have future needs.
Butker is signed through the 2024 season, Winchester has two years remaining on his contract and Hardman — if he continues in his role as the primary returner — has three years left on his rookie deal.
The stability on special teams ensures the Chiefs don’t need to spend money to bolster the unit, which is a luxury when considering Spotrac projects Kansas City to have just $16.5 million in available cap space in 2020.
On the chopping block?
None.
