Falcons special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong is looking forward to seeing more of seventh-round draft pick Devin Fuller, a wide receiver from UCLA, who’s also a punt and kickoff returner.
Fuller suffered a hamstring injury during the rookie minicamp and has been limited during the OTAs.
“He has some return ability,” said Armstrong on Wednesday. “He’s caught the ball well out here off the (machine) and off of Matt (Bosher’s) foot. He’s done a nice job in that regard. I just haven’t had a chance to see him return it verses a coverage unit yet. But we have high aspirations for him.”
Fuller averaged 11.8 yards on 12 punt returns and 24.2 yards on 17 kickoff returns last season for UCLA. Against Brigham Young, he had 114 kickoff return yards and 80 punt return yards.
“He did a job,” Armstrong said of Fuller’s college play. “He’s a smart returner. He makes good decisions. He is capable of explosive returns. We are looking forward to seeing what he’s going to do in the (exhibition) season.
The Falcons are hoping the Devin Hester recovers from offseason foot surgery, but Fuller could be the future returner.
Armstrong knows that he’ll face some challenges trying to become a NFL returner.
“Decisions in terms of game management,” Armstrong said will be Fuller’s biggest challenge. “You’re (coverage) calls. Fair catching at the right time. When you need to return a ball…the biggest thing you’ll see with young returners is that guys don’t get the ball vertical. You have to be a vertical returner in this league. You can’t run to the sidelines. You can’t run left and right.”
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