{"id":741306,"date":"2026-02-09T23:21:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T23:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/741306\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T23:21:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T23:21:18","slug":"green-bay-can-kill-two-birds-with-one-stone-by-taking-the-right-rb-in-the-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/741306\/","title":{"rendered":"Green Bay Can Kill Two Birds With One Stone By Taking the Right RB In the Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week, we heard from<\/a> Brian Gutekunst for the first time since the Green Bay Packers collapsed against the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Understandably, special teams was a hot topic.<\/p>\n

Gutekunst reiterated his confidence in Green Bay\u2019s loathed<\/a> special teams coordinator, Rich Bisaccia. \u201cI\u2019ve got a lot of faith in Rich and his staff and what they do around here,\u201d he said<\/a>, \u201cnot only the X\u2019s and O\u2019s but what they bring culturally to this staff.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

He also stated<\/a> that they have allocated more resources in the past four to five seasons than ever before to special teams. Under Ted Thompson<\/a>, any special teams player also had to have a position on offense or defense. Gutekunst stated that it is no longer the case.<\/p>\n

To no one\u2019s surprise, these comments caused an uproar in Packerland, and rightfully so. Green Bay\u2019s special teams haven\u2019t finished in the top half of the league in over 10 years and haven\u2019t finished<\/a> better than 26th under Bissacia. There have been several notable instances in which special teams mistakes have cost the Packers games. Yet changes aren\u2019t coming.<\/p>\n

Bears recover the onside kick \ud83d\udc40\ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n

GBvsCHI on FOX\/FOX Onehttps:\/\/t.co\/HkKw7uXVnt<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/gabjYXsJXB<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

With no significant changes, it\u2019s up to the players to improve the special teams, and with few resources, Gutekunst will have his work cut out for him.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Punt returner is one spot that could use a major boost. However, while Green Bay may have designated special teams players at other positions, they have yet to target a designated return man. Therefore, he\u2019d likely need an offensive role or a defensive role. Luckily, the Packers also could use help in the offensive backfield. Last season, Packers running backs had only three carries over 20 yards<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Josh Jacobs<\/a>, Emanuel Wilson<\/a>, and Chris Brooks<\/a> are all really good players in their individual roles, but none of them are explosive runners. That\u2019s what Gutekunst drafted Marshawn Lloyd<\/a> to be for this offense. Still, at this point, they can\u2019t rely on Lloyd to be healthy<\/a>. Therefore, Green Bay should be looking for a punt returner and an explosive threat out of the backfield, and if it\u2019s the right player, he could fill both positions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The hard part is that there are few archetypes like that in the NFL. Punt returners are typically players who are best in space and have good hands. Most of those players are wide receivers. The running backs with that rare skill set are typically some of the best in the game, like Devon Achane<\/a>, Jahmyr Gibbs<\/a>, Bijan Robinson<\/a>, and Bucky Irving<\/a>. They would all be awesome returners, but they are too essential to risk getting injured.\u00a0<\/p>\n

So, to find this archetype, you have to toe the line between being an impact player that the team doesn\u2019t want to risk getting injured, but also good enough to do the explosive change-of-pace stuff to have a role on offense. A player like our old friend Tyler Ervin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are a few players in this draft class that may fit that archetype.<\/p>\n

The first is Iowa receiver Kaden Wetjen<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You may be wondering, wide receiver? I thought this was about running backs?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Iowa lists<\/a> Wetjen as a receiver. However, he had the same number of rush attempts as receptions (23) in his college career. He\u2019s more of a gadget player.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I\u2019m starting with Wetjen because he is everyone\u2019s favorite punt returner, and for good reason \u2013 he\u2019s awesome. He finished 2025 with the second-best punt-return average of all time at 26.8 yards per return, only behind Maurice Jones-Drew<\/a>\u2019s average of 28.5 in 2005. He led the country in total return yards<\/a> by 87 with 567 return yards and had three return TDs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Can you imagine Kaden Wetjen returning kicks in Green Bay? Yeah I can to! Make it happen Gutey! pic.twitter.com\/N9zoqDcx1I<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Angry Mike! \ud83e\uddc0 #gopackgo (@Angrymike23) January 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Wetjen will have a career in the NFL as a returner. However, he will lean more toward being a pure returner than toward a true offensive role. Still, he\u2019s shown ability in space as a runner. He was also a pass catcher and runner in college. Although Iowa seldom used him on offense, he could carve out an offensive role in the right scheme with the right coach.<\/p>\n

Pitt running back Desmond Reid<\/a> is my favorite player who truly fits into the explosive pass-catching RB\/punt returner archetype. Reid battled injuries in his senior season after he injured his ankle<\/a> in his third game of the season. He missed about a month, then returned and reaggravated the injury a few weeks later. However, in his junior season, he rushed for 966 yards, caught 579 yards, and scored nine total touchdowns, while also returning 13 punts for 159 yards and a touchdown.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The thing that would concern me as a fit with the Packers is that he\u2019s listed as 5\u20198\u201d, 175 lbs., and is reportedly<\/a> smaller. But if the Packers are looking for a Darren Sproles-type player, he certainly fits the size comp.<\/p>\n

Panther Debut: @fastboidez<\/a> \ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd35 14 rushes for 145 yards, TD
\ud83d\udfe1 78 yard punt return TD#H2P<\/a> \u00bb #WeNotMe<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/tEQAtjnQmE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) September 2, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n

Reid is a projected Day 3 pick, 179th on PFF\u2019s big board<\/a>. However, he could have gone as high as Day 2 if his senior season had gone as planned. He\u2019s the perfect archetype for Green Bay to take a Day 3 flier on to fill multiple needs on the roster.<\/p>\n

Gutekunst\u2019s comments on Wednesday were disappointing. However, actions speak louder than words. If he decided to get Green Bay a true punt returner, fans would rejoice. If he went after Wetjen or Reid, he wouldn\u2019t have to sacrifice a roster spot to do it. It\u2019s the best of both worlds.<\/p>\n

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