With the NFL having moved kickoffs to the 35-yard line, and the majority of kickoffs sailing into or through the end zone, it's punt return touchdowns that are more common. Last year there were nearly twice as many touchdowns on punt returns (13) as kickoffs (7).
Last week we posted our ranking of the top kickoff returners; below we rank the top players/teams on punts. We're also showing each player's average on returns this season.
The rankings are based on what we believe the likelihood is of each player returning a punt for a touchdown at some point in the second half of the season. Some guys are true difference-makers (Sproles). Some are just back there trying to field the ball without turning it over (Holmes).
Let us know where you think we've missed the mark with these assessments.
TOP PUNT RETURNERS | |||
---|---|---|---|
Rank | Team | Player | Avg |
1. | PHI | Darren Sproles | 15.6 |
2. | KC | DeAnthony Thomas | 12.4 |
3. | BAL | Jacoby Jones | 8.2 |
4. | DET | Jeremy Ross | 11.5 |
5. | CIN | Adam Jones | 16.5 |
6. | ATL | Devin Hester | 12.6 |
7. | MIA | Jarvis Landry | 6.4 |
8. | STL | Tavon Austin | 8.5 |
9. | ARI | Ted Ginn | 11.6 |
10. | TEN | Dexter McCluster | 7.3 |
11. | NE | Julian Edelman | 9.8 |
12. | NYG | Odell Beckham | 6.7 |
13. | WAS | Andre Roberts | 10.9 |
14. | CAR | Philly Brown | 11.4 |
15. | BUF | Leodis McKelvin | 8.9 |
16. | MIN | Marcus Sherels | 8.5 |
17. | DAL | Dwayne Harris | 7.1 |
18. | PIT | Antonio Brown | 7.9 |
19. | OAK | T.J. Carrie | 9.0 |
20. | SF | Bruce Ellington | 7.6 |
21. | TB | Marcus Thigpen | - |
22. | GB | Micah Hyde | 9.8 |
23. | SEA | Doug Baldwin | 4.0 |
24. | DEN | Isaiah Burse | 6.1 |
25. | SD | Keenan Allen | 15.0 |
26. | HOU | Keshawn Martin | 6.6 |
27. | JAC | Ace Sanders | 6.6 |
28. | IND | Griff Whalen | 7.1 |
29. | NO | Brandin Cooks | 4.2 |
30. | CHI | Santonio Holmes | 6.3 |
31. | NYJ | Walt Powell | 4.0 |
32. | CLE | Jordan Poyer | 4.0 |
--Andy Richardson