Chiefs camp preview: Harrison Butker among NFL’s elite kickers; new face at punter
With the Chiefs’ first padded practices of training camp finally here, The Star today completes its two-week preview of each position group in Kansas City with a look at their specialists and return men.
We previously broke down the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.
2020 CAMP ROSTER
SPECIALISTS: kicker Harrison Butker, punter Tommy Townsend, long snapper James Winchester
RETURNERS: Mecole Hardman, Tyreek Hill
POSITION PREVIEW
The Chiefs experience turnover among the three primary specialists in 2020 following the release of long-time punter Dustin Colquitt.
Townsend, an undrafted free agent out of Florida, emerged as the winner following a short offseason battle with Tyler Newsome. Boasting a big leg, Townsend averaged 44.8 yards per punt in college and also has experience as a holder, a must when playing for KC special teams coordinator Dave Toub.
The good news for the Chiefs during the transition surrounds Townsend spending time working out with Butker and Winchester in recent months. There should be a level of chemistry here by the time the Chiefs hit the field for full practices.
With Butker, the Chiefs have one of the best kickers in the league. He posted 147 points in 2019 to establish a team record for most points by a kicker in as single season.
The Chiefs’ reliable kicker also has 426 career points in his first three seasons, which represents an NFL record for the most points by any player in his first three seasons.
Winchester, the glue of the specialists unit, is set to enter his sixth season as the Chiefs’ long-snapper.
RETURNERS
As of now, Hardman projects to resume double-duty on offense and special teams as the Chiefs’ primary returner, a role in which he excelled during his rookie campaign in 2019.
The speedy Hardman produced 167 yards on 18 punt returns and 704 yards and a touchdown on 27 kick returns to garner a second-team All-Pro selection and Pro Bowl selection at returner.
Toub, though, is aware the potential need exists for another return-man candidate should Hardman be called upon to assume a larger role on offense this fall.
“I’m not sure about Hardman,” Toub said. “I don’t want to lose him. I think he’s just scratched the surface as a returner. He hasn’t reached his potential yet. He can be better and I think he knows that, and hopefully we can keep him in those roles.
“It’s important to get the ball in guys’ hands that can make plays, and he’s one of them.”
Toub won’t be short of options, of course. Hill remains an option at punt returner as needed, and rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire saw dual-duty as a kickoff returner at LSU.
KEY BATTLE
None. The Chiefs appear set across the board.
PLAYER TO WATCH
When a player of Colquitt’s stature is released, all eyes will fall on his successor — we’re looking at you, Townsend.
The rookie punter might not see too much action, however.
Given the explosive nature of the Chiefs’ offense, which ranks among the NFL’s best, the punter hasn’t been the busiest player on their roster in recent years. In the two seasons since quarterback Patrick Mahomes took over under center, Colquitt punted a career-low 45 times in 2018 and followed with 48 punts in 2019.
Nevertheless, Colquitt could always be counted on to switch field position with his ability to kick inside an opponent’s 20-yard line. He also averaged 44.3 yards per punt last season.
Regarded as one of the country’s best punters in college, Townsend must show the Chiefs’ coaching staff that same kind of consistency in training camp.
Check out our two-week Chiefs training camp preview series:
Monday, Aug. 3: Quarterbacks: We know who No. 1 is, but what about the backups?
Tuesday, Aug. 4: The defensive line: It will be a strength again.
Wednesday, Aug. 5: Sizing up the running backs depth chart
Thursday, Aug. 6: At linebacker, Hitchens anchors the corps
Friday, Aug. 7: Plenty of targets for Patrick Mahomes at WR
Monday, Aug. 10: After Ward, Chiefs have corner questions
Tuesday, Aug. 11: Among the tight ends, it’s Kelce and ...
Wednesday, Aug. 12: Safeties’ success starts with Honey Badger
Thursday, Aug. 13: Chiefs’ offensive line has some holes to fill
Friday, Aug. 14: special teams
