Avery Williams is going to be this team’s punt returner this year barring a massive upset, and he’ll likely at least mix in as the team’s kick returner. In an effort to ensure he’s contributing elsewhere, the Falcons shifted him away from a crowded cornerback depth chart and made him a running back, a surprising but intriguing move.
While Williams had his moments in very limited opportunities on defense last year, Atlanta’s been steadily stocking their cornerback group all offseason, and Williams figured to be no better than fifth on the depth chart. After seeing him as a returner, which requires vision, speed, and shiftiness that should translate nicely to running the ball on offense, the Falcons made a move that lessens the logjam but also gives Williams a real shot at carving out a solid career at a much thinner position.