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Potential Redskins special teams contributors for 2020

By Jonathan Eig

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 24: Steven Sims #15 of the Washington Redskins returns a kick for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 24: Steven Sims #15 of the Washington Redskins returns a kick for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half at FedExField on November 24, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 15: A Washington Redskins helmet is seen on the field before the game between the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on December 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 15: A Washington Redskins helmet is seen on the field before the game between the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on December 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Special teams are important to the success of perennial NFL contenders. Here’s a look at who could strengthen the Redskins’ special teams depth chart in 2020.

One of the reasons George Allen was successful as coach of the Washington Redskins back in the 1970s was the emphasis he placed on special teams. He hired future Hall of Famer Marv Levy to coach “teams” in the early ‘70s. He was only the second special teams coordinator in the NFL the time, and the results showed on the field.

During the glory years of the 1980s, Mark Moseley became the first and only kicker to win the league MVP award. Fast forward to the 1990s, when Brian Mitchell was forging a career as a return man that might one day land him in the Hall of Fame. The Redskins once had a proud tradition of truly “special” special teams.

That hasn’t been the case so much of late. Game-changing returns or blocked kicks have been few and far between in the 21st century. Whereas you may have once thought of Darrell Green’s miraculous punt return against the Bears in 1988, Redskins special teams play over the past twenty years has been more closely associated with Jim Zorn’s inexplicable “swinging gate” in 2009. (And if Hunter Smith is reading this, I sincerely apologize for bringing up such painful memories.)

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You can luck into a special return man or kicker, but one of the primary reasons that special teams play is either good or bad is the result of talent evaluation. The blood and guts of your return and coverage teams are made up of late-round draft picks and free agents, hungry for a position and looking to impress coaches with hustle, smarts, and toughness.

When you squander draft picks, either via ill-conceived trades of poor picks, one of the hidden results is subpar special teams play. The Redskins, for a good part of the last two decades, led the league in squandering.

But things do seem to be turning around over the past few seasons, with a higher percentage of new acquisitions sticking and making valuable contributions. Here’s a brief look at who might be manning the special teams units in 2020. Since there appears to be no real competition for the placekicker and punter spot, we’ll focus on returners and coverage players.

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