Packers roundup: Trading out of first round could be smart move by Freddie Boston

Will the Packers use the franchise tag this offseason? by Freddie Boston

Tyler Ervin made an instant impact for the Green Bay Packers, and he should be re-signed this offseason.

In December, the Packers desperately needed help on punt and kickoff returns.

They tried Darrius Shepherd. But he had minus-nine yards on two punt returns and 11 fair catches. They tried Tremon Smith. But he had zero yards on three punt returns. Trevor Davis managed just one yard from his three returns.

Enter Ervin, who turned things around from his first performance. Only playing in the final four regular season games of 2019, Ervin returned 11 punts for 106 yards at an average of 9.6 yards per return. While only a small sample size, that average would rank near the top of the NFL if he sustained it over the course of a season.

Ervin also led the Packers in kickoff return yards, averaging 26.7 yards from his six attempts. His 45-yard kickoff return was the Packers’ longest of the season.

So, we know what a difference he can make on special teams. But what was just as exciting was how Matt LaFleur involved him on offense. Ervin was regularly used on jet sweeps to confuse defenses. Sometimes he’d receive the ball, other times he wouldn’t. But defenses had to respect the possibility the ball was coming his way every time.

In four regular season games, Ervin had one carry for 10 yards and two catches for 11 yards. In the postseason, he had two rushing attempts for 25 yards and a catch for seven yards. It wasn’t just what he could do with the ball in his hands, but how he impacted the game just by being on the field.

If Ervin re-signs with the Packers, he’ll have an entire offseason to become more familiar with LaFleur’s offense, also allowing LaFleur to find more ways to get him involved.

He would add depth at running back, give the Packers another receiving option who can make defenders miss in the open field, and he’d also be a consistent returner on kickoffs and punts.

Ervin made an impact after joining the Packers. Now they need to ensure he remains in Green Bay in 2020.