The New York Giants’ special teams unit ranked near the bottom of the NFL last season, averaging just 21.4 yards per kick return and 6.2 yards per punt return, respectively. The Giants tested out a number of different return specialists last season, including starting CB Adoree’ Jackson. 

Jackson suffered a season-ending injury while returning a punt in Week 11. Putting a defensive starter out on special teams had severe adverse effects on the team as a whole. In order to avoid making this mistake again, the Giants should consider adding a designated return specialist to their roster. 

In-house WR Kalil Pimpleton looks like he could be in a position to take on the role after turning heads at OTAs this spring. The second-year receiver out of Central Michigan spent the 2022 season on New York’s practice squad after going undrafted last spring. This summer, Pimpleton could use his return skills to earn himself a promotion to the regular-season roster.

Pimpleton earned the Mid-American Conference Special Teams Player of the Year award for his return work in 2021 at Central Michigan. He ran back 16 punts for 304 yards and two touchdowns as a redshirt junior that year.