Looks Like Jayden Reed Will Be Green Bay's Punt Returner

The Green Bay Packers released their 53-man roster on Tuesday, giving us an official look at next year's squad — that is, until the team makes some inevitable moves once waivers clear.

The initial roster answered plenty of questions, including who would earn their (projected) final receiver spot. Ultimately, Malik Heath made the team for the third consecutive year, while they released Mecole Hardman.

Heath's physicality prevailed over Hardman's potential as a returner. Still, it leaves us with a new question: Who will return punts?

Several viable candidates were released on Tuesday, and if the Packers want to add one, they will have options. If they don't, it's going to be Jayden Reed again. Even with Reed returning from injury and having a big role to fill on offense, his return to return duties is looking increasingly likely.

Hardman's best chance to make the roster was to make an impact on special teams, even before the Packers drafted Matthew Golden and Savion Williams.

Unfortunately, Hardman started the preseason poorly with a muffed punt and a poor return decision against the New York Jets. It seemed like an attempt to do too much to impress the coaches with what you can offer.

Hardman's next two showings weren't nearly as bad, but nor did he show enough to make an impact as a returner or a receiver. The Packers would have benefited from having Hardman as a return option, at the very least to keep Reed fresh for other work, but chose not to keep a player just for special teams.

“Everybody talks about special teams – your way of making the team is on special teams, the only chance you have to make the team is on special teams," special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia said earlier in the preseason. "(But) they have to be pretty good at their position, as well, to make the 53 and then to be on the 48 to dress and help us everywhere.”

Hardman lost some punt-return reps in favor of other options after the Jets game, but none of those players made the roster either.

That leaves Reed and Keisean Nixon as the two most experienced options on the roster. Golden is quickly establishing himself as a gifted receiver, and the Packers won't want to risk his health. Savion Williams doesn't have the build of a typical punt returner.

An outside hire would be the best option, but it's hard to imagine the Packers bringing in another wide receiver just to play on special teams. Acme Packing Company's Justis Mosqueda broke down why. Turns out, it's a Matt LaFleur thing.

The size of the average punt returner (from PFF) is 5'9”, 183 lbs. For wide receivers, that's pretty much slot-only size. Punt returning is a perfect way to make an additional impact as a smaller receiver.

Under LaFleur, the Packers prefer bigger receivers. They experimented with a smaller size in Amari Cooper, which didn't work on special teams or offense. Even Reed, their “small” receiver, is 5'11”, 187 lbs.

Beyond Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Williams, and Heath are bigger bodies. Golden is on the smaller side but won't be in the mix.

Reed, though a dynamic talent, doesn't play much in two-wide receiver sets, so even if the Packers wanted to add a receiver (which is unlikely), they'd be wary about using a spot on a receiver who can't play in multiple personnels.

When it comes to team building, offensive requirements always take precedence over special teams needs. Unless Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst start valuing the slot receiver builds more, punt returner will never be a real priority for the Packers.

Even if Reed becomes the focus of the offense, which isn't unlikely with his volume the past two seasons, expect to see him returning punts. It's not ideal, but with Hardman not making the team, there isn't a better option on the roster.