The Cleveland Browns signed running back Nyheim Hines early on in the free agency period, and his value as a kick returner has skyrocketed with the announcement of the NFL’s new kickoff structure.
On Tuesday, the league decided to adopt the XFL-style kickoff beginning in 2024 and it could totally change how teams view specific types of players. Kick returns will be less of a “wide open”, all-out scramble to find open space and more of a designed offensive football play.
Players who have experience as a running back will have more value going forward due to their natural ability to see the field in a particular way.