Breaking Down Devin Hester's Second Wind Career Resurgence

Devin Hester still has the rare acceleration and open-field ability that has made him the most productive kick returner in NFL history.

However, after not taking a single offensive snap during his final season with the Chicago Bears in 2013, the veteran has found a role with quarterback Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons this year at the wide receiver position.

Today, let’s break down how the Falcons are utilizing Hester’s skill set on the offensive side of the ball, with a focus on route schemes and the personnel groupings that have created opportunities for him to produce.

Hester’s Role as the No. 3/No. 4 in Atlanta

Through three games with the Falcons, Hester has just seven receptions (on eight targets) for 126 yards plus one carry for 20 yards and a touchdown.

However, I’m more focused on how Hester supplements Julio Jones, Roddy White and Harry Douglas in the Falcons game plan.

Think of Jet/10 (4WR-1RB) and Posse/11 (3WR-1TE-1RB) personnel where Hester can work against a nickel/dime corner. This allows Ryan to target Hester inside of the numbers or in specific one-on-one situations with the veteran in positive matchups.

This is an example from Week 1 versus the Saints with Rob Ryan’s underneath defenders playing a 2-Man technique. Here, Jones aligns as the No. 1 to the open (weak) side of the formation with White inside as the No. 3 to the closed (strong) side.

Watch the strong safety as he stacks inside over the top of White—leaving Hester (No. 1 to closed side) in a one-on-one matchup versus Patrick Robinson.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Check out the smooth setup from Hester (off the “hop” release) that forces Robinson to settle his feet (or squat). 

That allows Hester to accelerate (with speed) up the field and create separation to finish on the fade route with no help over the top.

Here’s another example versus the Saints with Ryan’s defense showing zero-pressure (blitz-man technique with no safety help) and Hester aligned as the No. 2 (slot receiver) to the open side out of Jet/10 personnel.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

With the Saints sending secondary pressure off the edge, safety Kenny Vacarro rolls down over Hester. However, given the large cushion (10 yards), Hester can burst to the flat and give Ryan an immediate “hot” read versus the blitz.

These are just a couple of examples, but they show us how Hester can draw favorable matchups because of opposing defensive game plans.

The numbers for Hester aren’t going to reflect the production of a No. 1 or even a No. 2/No. 3 wide receiver, but given Hester’s ability to create separation, he will have opportunities to help this team win based on game situation and matchup.

Creating Opportunities in the Passing Game

Watching the tape, I like how the Falcons create opportunities for Hester to use his speed and skill set.

This is where we see the pick/rub concepts and the reverse Hester took to the end zone this past Thursday night during the Falcons' 56-14 win over the Bucs.

Let’s start with the pick situation the Falcons showed versus the Bucs with Hester aligned as the No. 2 to the open side of the formation against Cover 1 (man-free).

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

The Falcons run the pick/rub concept as Jones releases inside on the smash route (pick), and Hester works to the fade (switch release).

With both of the Bucs defensive backs playing at the same level, Jones is in a position to set the inside pick for Hester to release outside on the fade.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Instead of going over the top of the pick (proper technique), the Bucs nickel corner tries to duck under to match the outside release.

This creates immediate separation for Hester to stem outside versus a single-high free safety that won’t get over the top to impact the play.

Back in Week 1, the Falcons utilized a similar scheme from a 3x1 alignment to get Hester a free release underneath on the shallow drive route (underneath crossing route).

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

This is a route I would like to see more of from the Falcons, as it allows Hester to catch the ball with the opportunity to display his open-field ability.

Here’s a look at the pick/rub concept with White taking an outside release to open the door for Hester.

This is a quick read for Ryan to target Hester underneath with the Saints playing man-trail technique. There’s no question it’s a pick route, but this is about using scheme to target a receiver in a specific matchup.

Now let’s take a quick look at the reverse that produced a touchdown versus the Bucs out of Regular/21 personnel (2WR-1TE-2RB) with Hester on short motion into the core of the formation.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

The Falcons show the split-zone scheme (front side zone blocking, fullback arc block) with Hester on the “ghost” motion/action into the backfield.

With the backside edge defender (defensive end) crashing hard on the split-zone look (responsible for cutback, boot, reverse), the fullback can now work up the field and lead on the free safety filling the alley.

That’s all Hester needs to push this ball into the end zone given his acceleration and speed.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

And it’s another example of the Falcons' game plan install that caters to Hester.

Playing with Confidence 

After the win over the Bucs, Hester admitted that his confidence level dropped during his final years in Chicago.

That’s tough on any player when he loses confidence given the demands of the pro game and the mental/physical grind of the regular season. That will wear players down and impact their overall production.

However, based on the tape, Hester has found new confidence in Atlanta.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Remember, the speed, acceleration and open-field ability has always been there with Hester.

That’s never been a question, from my perspective, when studying the veteran or watching him during Bears training camp in one-on-one situations.

But with the new role he has established in the Falcons offense, we are seeing how his skill set can be utilized when he is put in a position to produce.

And that just adds to the impact Hester already brings to the stadium on Sundays in the return game.

Seven-year NFL veteran Matt Bowen is an NFL National Lead Writer for Bleacher Report.

Follow @MattBowen41