OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens re-signed kick returner De'Anthony Thomas to a one-year deal on Saturday but they'll likely bring in competition for that spot in the offseason.
Thomas, 27, was an average returner who didn't make as many explosive plays as expected. Last season, he tied for 15th with a 5.7-yard punt return average and ranked 18th with an 18.9-yard kickoff return average.
The Ravens signed Thomas in Week 10, two weeks after he was cut by the Chiefs. Baltimore looked for an upgrade after Cyrus Jones was ineffective as its returner.
But Thomas struggled to provide a consistent spark. The Ravens ranked 30th in the NFL in kickoff return average (18.3), the only season in franchise history in which they were below 20th. Baltimore made it past the 20-yard line 63% of the time on kick returns last season, which ranked 28th in the league.
Thomas was a 2014 fourth-round pick by the Chiefs.
