Chiefs gain plethora of return-game competition
With updated kick return rules, Nikko Remigio is no longer the only capable returner on the roster. Three draft picks and an undrafted free agent will all get their crack to compete.
Over the last several years the Kansas City Chiefs have churned through kickoff and punt returners. Mecole Hardman was tabbed as a return specialist to replace Tyreek Hill but has largely been unhealthy or ineffective since 2022 and for now, is no longer on the team once again.
Kansas City has had a new lead returner every single season since 2021. Byron Pringle led the way consecutively in 2020 and 2021, Isiah Pacheco was the most productive in his rookie year in 2022, Richie James tallied the most return yardage on the team in 2023 and Nikko Remigio emerged to lead the club in just five total games played.
Remigio provided a spark, even beginning the Chiefs playoff journey with a 63-yard return to open up the AFC Divisional round to put the offense in scoring position. While leading the team in five games is impressive, his playoff numbers outdid his regular season numbers by a mile.
Remigio averaged over 30 yards per kick return and nearly 20 yards per punt return in the playoffs. He provided stability and a spark in a position that had needed it for quite some time, but it should not have been a giant surprise.
Remigio was one of the more dynamic return men in the country throughout his collegiate career. He racked up over 1,600 yards and three touchdowns throughout his time at Cal and Fresno State before signing with the Chiefs as a UDFA in 2023.
Following the 2025 NFL Draft though, Remigio will need to be on his game to keep manning kick returns for Kansas City. Third-round pick Nohl Williams, fourth-rounder Jalen Royals and seventh-rounder Brashard Smith all have extensive return experience in their college careers or profile as a fit at the next level.
It is a good time to add some dynamic returners to the room too, because starting this year offenses will take the ball over at the 35. In theory, kicking teams will not want to gift a team that much field position, so there should be two kick returners back there ready to make something happen rather than watching it fly over their head.
Let’s start with Smith because he possesses the most elusive game-breaking speed and has the most decorated return production. He did not quite have Remigio counting numbers but in some seasons he was just as effective, boasting his 4.39 speed.
“This guy, when he gets the ball in his hands, he makes big plays happen, so, it’s a lot of fun to watch,” Chiefs Southwest Regional Scout Ryan Lamb said. “… So that’s another thing that’s probably a thing with him (Brashard Smith), that kind of makes him stand out, is his ability as a kick returner. He’s been pretty productive doing that – and our coaches here are pretty excited to see him in that role as well.”
It is not as if Smith just fell in Kansas City’s lap, either. After taking Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa in the 5th round, they knew they needed a running back after passing on many talented backs for Bassa.
Once the value became too great, general manager Brett Veach packaged together two late seventh-rounders to move up earlier in the seventh round to take Smith. Kansas City wanted Smith, targeting him as a value addition and it stands to reason that special teams could be a big part of the plan in year one.
Then there is Williams. He is not the fastest guy. He posted a 4.5 40-yard dash at the combine, but you cannot deny the skills he has with the ball in his hand. Whether it is a fumble recovery, interception, or a kick return he has reached the endzone four times over his last two seasons with Cal. As a returner, he has 725 career yards to his name.
“(He’s) a guy that we had relatively high on the board, an outside corner that he can play inside, he can play safety, he’s a really good special teams guy, he can return, he’s got 14 career picks,” Chiefs Senior Director of Player Personnel Mike Bradway said. “… I think his special teams – the value there is obviously where he can probably make an impact early.”
Like Smith, Williams may have a tough time seeing the field in year one due to the tremendous depth at the cornerback spot. Therefore, Williams should be more than available and have the fresh legs to do something he has excelled at over his collegiate career.
As for Royals, he does not have too much experience returning kicks, only bringing back nine over three seasons. What he does have, however, is some of the best yards after the catch ability in this past draft class.
With Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown and perhaps JuJu Smtih-Schuster ahead of Royals, the Chiefs brass may want to deploy that YAC ability with his 4.42 speed on kickoffs. When you are picked at 133, expectations start to begin with special teams.
“Around this round, they have to have some type of special teams value,” Chiefs Western Regional Scout Greg Castillo said. “And for Jalen, he does have the return ability, especially with the new kickoff return rules. He can definitely help us with that aspect, and he’ll be competing for that.”
One of the Chiefs' undrafted free agents they inked, Elijah Badger also posted 600 return yards while with Arizona State and Florida, to go along with an underrated college career as a receiver. The six-foot-one, 185-pound wide receiver had over 2,400 yards receiving in college and posted a 4.43 40 at the NFL Combine.
Remigio will either have to prove he is still the best returner on the team or make the team as a true wide receiver, beating out guys such as Skyy Moore, Badger, or Justyn Ross for that sixth wide receiver spot, if they even keep six. This should be an extremely competitive competition that could even bleed into the season to see who has the juice.
