Dri Archer was the talk among Pittsburgh Steelers fans after their first preseason game against the New York Giants when the rookie took a short pass and ran 46 yards in the blink of an eye.
Wondering if he can follow up that nice catch and run the following week, Archer took another pass and ran 40 yards before being pulled down from behind by a Buffalo Bills defender.
To say the rookie from Kent State is electrifying might be an understatement, but the issue with Archer is that he has yet to show off his complete skill set, and the reason for that isn't even his doing.
After two preseason games Archer has yet to register a kickoff return as an NFL player. This isn't new for Archer who was repeatedly kicked away from in college. In his last year at Kent State he saw only two kickoffs come his way, and one of those he took back for a touchdown.
Archer was drafted in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions. He has proven what he can do when catching the ball out of the backfield, and if he is given just a glimmer of space in the open field. Now, all Steelers fans await to see is a kickoff not sail out of the back of the end zone to be placed at the 20-yard line, but instead a chance to Archer at his best in the free space of a kickoff return.
Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin has openly stated that he has Shaun Suisham kick short intentionally in the preseason so he can evaluate his kickoff team and coverage units. Obviously, the Giants and Bills don't abide by those same rules.
Whether Archer will get a shot at a kickoff return Thursday night when the Steelers travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles is yet to be seen, but this is a perfect example of how dynamic kickoff return specialists are a dying breed in the NFL due to the rule changes put in place to remove the play from the game.
Luckily for Archer, he has proven to be more than just a returner, but someone that can cause matchup nightmares for opposing defense when releasing out of the backfield or lining up in the slot. For the Steelers, picking and choosing how to get someone with the speed and ability of Archer the football is a good problem to have.