Brandon Powell helped solve one of the Rams’ biggest problems last year after he stepped in as their primary return specialist. It was the weakest part of the special teams unit for years, but Powell quickly became one of the best in the league at returning punts.
Including the playoffs, he returned 15 punts for 237 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown against the Vikings. He also took back 13 kickoffs for 296 yards, with a long of 65 yards and a regular-season average of 26 yards per return.
As good as he is on special teams, he could carve out a role on offense this year after playing just three offensive snaps last season. With Van Jefferson undergoing knee surgery, Sean McVay name-dropped Powell as someone who’s impressed as a slot receiver.
“Brandon Powell, we get him where he’s a returner for us, but he is a guy that he’s got a skill set,” McVay said Monday. “He’s one of those guys, a great competitor, good football player. Seen really positive things from him from the slot.”
That was the second time McVay mentioned Powell in that same press conference, saying earlier that Powell has shown he’s “capable of being not only a really good returner, but a capable receiver.”
Powell is certainly undersized at 5-foot-8, but he’s pushing 190 pounds, so it’s not as if he’s the lightest receiver around. He showed last year that he can bounce off tacklers and maintain his balance through contact, which the Rams could use on offense if Jefferson is sidelined into the regular season.
In his career, Powell has caught 23 passes for 198 yards, but the speed, quickness and catching ability are all there. He just needs an opportunity, and he might get that this summer.
Powell will be someone to watch in the preseason when the starters are held out.
