5 players Sean Payton could help steal from Broncos division rivals
2. DeAndre Carter, WR/KR/PR, Los Angeles Chargers
One of the biggest things Sean Payton has emphasized when talking to the media is that changing the culture anywhere starts with an obsession over the “details”. Details matter, and one of the details that can get overlooked when it comes to a team’s success is how successful your return game is.
The Denver Broncos have been so bad on special teams for the last handful of years, it’s hard to pinpoint the return game as the one primary area of need. But let’s consider, for the moment, the prospect of adding Chargers wide receiver and return specialist DeAndre Carter, who actually ended up being a pretty significant offensive weapon for them in 2022.
It’s not likely that Carter’s next contract is going to break the bank. But even as he approaches the age of 30, he’s going to be an effective player for you because he has a very defined and somewhat limited role. He averaged 11.7 yards per punt return last year for the Chargers. He’s got the ability to change a game on a dime like he did in 2021 when he was with Washington:
DeAndre Carter takes the opening kickoff of the 2nd half to the HOUSE for a TD 💨
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 3, 2021
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/SpDYcTBa0p
It will be fascinating to see what kinds of deliberate moves are made to make adjustments to the special teams group in 2023. Don’t be surprised if someone like DeAndre Carter is targeted to come in and fix the return game.