More kick return opportunities should be coming this season for the Indianapolis Colts and the rest of the NFL.
Among the few rule changes made at the annual NFL league meetings was moving touchbacks from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line, to incentivize teams to keep the ball in play on kickoffs, leading to more return attempts.
According to ESPN's Kevin Seifert, the NFL is projecting to see a significant increase in return rate around the 60%-70% mark after being at roughly 33% last season.
For the Colts, who have Anthony Gould among their return man options, this could be significant news.
Gould was an accomplished return man during his college career at Oregon State, which included being named an All-American.
As a rookie with the Colts, Gould started the season returning kicks, but after Week 3, Indianapolis opted to go with more experienced options in Ashton Dulin and Tyler Goodson, with Gould needing to show more decisiveness in his decision-making.
However, during the latter portion of the season, Gould earned more return opportunities and took advantage. Among 58 eligible kick returners, Gould's 29.4 yards per return ranked 15th in the NFL, according to PFF.
That ability to generate some good-sized returns can set the Colts' offense up with a shorter field, and put them in a better position to put points on the board.
Last season, Gould would have seven attempts, Goodson nine, and Dulin four. With the rule change, more opportunities should be coming their way.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL rule change: More kick return opportunities for Colts and NFL
