Marcus Sherels owns several punt return records for the Vikings, including the marks for longest punt return TD, highest single-season punt return average and most punt return touchdowns in a career. Nevertheless, the Vikings may be looking for someone besides Sherels to return punts in 2015. And Stefon Diggs could be the favorite to take over that role.
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The Vikings certainly like Diggs’ potential value as a slot receiver but the former Maryland wide-out is also very much in the mix as a return man (via ESPN.com):
"“I know I was at a game [Diggs’] freshman year when they played Virginia,” [Rick] Spielman said. “I saw him as a kickoff returner and he has done some punt returns in the past. He’s a very gifted athlete with the ball in his hands. He was a guy, that when we got there at that point, he can do so many things — he’s played outside, he’s played in the slot, he’s done some return stuff.”"
Stefon Diggs clearly has a versatile skill set, and could wind up being a valuable asset to the Vikings. And that could be bad news for Marcus Sherels.
If Diggs shows that he can return punts, the Vikings will have little reason to keep Sherels, who will be no higher than sixth on the cornerback depth chart going into camp.
Diggs has a clear advantage over Sherels, being a rookie who brings potential value at two return positions plus wide receiver. Though Sherels has done a lot for the Vikings over the years, this could be the season that he finds himself on the losing end of the roster shuffle.
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