The Baltimore Ravens found a gem in wide receiver Devin Duvernay after selecting him with the 92nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Since entering the league he has shown his versatility, speed and charisma. Because of that, it’s no surprise that the former University of Texas wide receiver currently finds himself as one of the best punt returners in the NFL.
Heading into Week 5, Duvernay leads the league in punt return average with 18.9 yards through four games.
┏┓
┃┃╱╲ in
┃╱╱╲╲ this
╱╱╭╮╲╲ house,
▔▏┗┛▕▔ we
╱▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔╲
STAN DEVIN DUVERNAY RETURNS UNCONDITIONALLY
╱╱┏┳┓╭╮┏┳┓ ╲╲
▔▏┗┻┛┃┃┗┻┛▕▔ pic.twitter.com/OoOW1E2Fet— Spencer N. Schultz (@ravens4dummies) October 6, 2021
Despite the strong start, Duvernay told the media on Wednesday that he is still grasping the concept of returning punts.
“I’m honestly kind of learning on the fly. This last year when they threw me back there at the end of the year was my first time ever doing it. So, I never thought I … I never did it in college, or high school, or anything. So, I’m still kind of learning. But [like] what coach says, part of it is just catching the ball and just running. So, that’s what I’ve been doing.”
Not only can Duvernay return punts, he has also been a key contributor for a Ravens passing attack that hasn’t had wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin available through the first four weeks. Duvernay has caught six passes for 59 yards and a touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN, @Dev_Duv5
Tune in on CBS! pic.twitter.com/IOl5ZUtTTz
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 26, 2021
Duvernay has shown that he can play wherever Baltimore needs him. When he has the football in his hands, plays are made. It feels like it won’t be long before he finds the end zone for the first time this season on a punt return.