The Green Bay Packers have relied on Keisean Nixon as their return man for a few years now. He has certainly experienced success, earning two First Team All-Pro Honors (2022, 2023). However, if Green Bay intends on moving Nixon to more of a full time cornerback, their next return man could already be on the roster.
Packers’ New WR Addition Completely Changes Kick Returns (Report)
Last month, the Packers signed Lideatrick Griffin to a futures contract. However, his impact could be felt immediately:
Griffin caught 126 passes for 1,490 yards and nine touchdowns in four seasons at Mississippi State. His ticket to making an NFL roster and sticking around, however, probably will be his play on special teams.
In 2021, he averaged an SEC-leading 32.8 yards per kickoff return with a 100-yard touchdown against NC State.
In 2022, he was first-team all-SEC and earned some all-American honors as a returner as he led the nation with a 32.3-yard average on kickoff returns, highlighted by a 92-yard touchdown against Auburn.
As a senior in 2023, he averaged only 21.9 yards per kickoff return but set career highs with 50 receptions, 658 receiving yards, 13.2 yards per catch, 732 yards of total offense and five offensive touchdowns.
Even with the down year as a kickoff returner, his career average of 30.8 yards per runback ranks second in SEC history.
“What I like about it is, well, it’s a lot of different reasons,” Griffin told Packers On SI recently. “The main one is it’ll give you time to see the field. It’s different from punt return, because punt return is like a split-second, but with kickoff return, you got 4, 5, or 10 seconds to know where you’re going to go.
“Especially if you have a good connection with the kick-return team that’s blocking for you, it’s going to be a good day on the special teams team that day.
Here is a look at Griffin’s college numbers:
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