4 return specialists Commanders could draft to replace DeAndre Carter

Marcus Jones, CB, Houston

Jones is undersized for a modern-day cornerback at 5-foot-8, but his speed and acceleration help him make up for what he lacks his size and has the versatility to fit in either a man or zone scheme. The Houston product puts up a great fight on jump balls and his burst makes him a threat to jump any route.

As a return man, Jones was the best in the country last season. In total, he returned four touchdowns (two kickoffs and two punts), giving him six kickoff return touchdowns and three punt return scores for his career.

To top it all off, Jones won the 2021 Paul Hornung Award, given to the most versatile player in major college football. In doing so, he became the player in Houston history and the first player from a Group of Five conferences to win the hardware.

On paper, Jones is destined to play for Ron Rivera.

Britain Covey, WR, Utah

Like Jones, Covey is undersized at 5-foot-8 and 178 pounds, but that hasn’t hindered his ascension to a potential Day 3 pick. At 24 years old, he’s older than what most teams would prefer in a prospect, but it’s not like the Commanders would be investing in a running back, wide receiver, or offensive linemen.

On top of offering depth at the WR position, Covey would immediately step in as Washington’s top return specialist. In that role for Utah, he managed returned one kickoff for a touchdown and two punt return touchdowns while averaging 30 yards per kick return and almost 14 yards per punt return last season.

For someone who set Utah’s record with 1,092 career punt return yards, earned four separate All-Pac-12 selections as a returner and returned a total of five TDs over his college career, Covey would make for a like-for-like Carter replacement.