2024 NBA Draft Liveblog
FTN
NFL training camps are on the horizon as the offseason winds down. There is still a lot of information that we still need to learn about how teams will organize their depth charts, but we can still draw conclusions to 2024 based on last season.
This week, we will break down the special teams units heading into 2024. The return game will be even more important now that the NFL has introduced changes to kickoffs to incentivize teams to keep the ball in play. Teams will do their best to find dynamic and explosive returners to try and weaponize the play.
Check out the 2024 special teams rankings below. Check back later in the summer for an update as the season starts.
Track our whole position group rankings series: Offensive Line | Pass-Catcher | Defensive Line | Backfield | Quarterbacks | Secondaries | more to come!
2024 Special Teams Rankings
1. Dallas Cowboys
K: Brandon Aubrey, P: Bryan Anger, KR/PR: KaVontae Turpin
Brandon Aubrey went from being a former soccer player to a revelation as an NFL kicker in 2023. He led all kickers in fantasy points per game (10.6) and had more than 20 points more than the next kicker. The rookie was 14-of-14 on kicks from 40-plus yards, including hitting all 10 of his attempts at 50 yards or beyond. Punter Bryan Anger only punted 44 times last season, but he averaged 51.6 yards per punt, with 38.6% of his attempts landing inside the 20.
KaVontae Turpin is slated to reprise return duties in 2024. He had just 13 punt returns for 79 yards last season but averaged 29.2 yards on kick returns. He has proven to be a dynamic weapon in the return game and will certainly have an opportunity to make impact plays given the kickoff rules.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
K: Harrison Butker, P: Matt Araiza, KR: Deneric Prince, PR: Xavier Worthy
Harrison Butker was far more consistent on deep kicks in 2023 after converting only 7-of-12 attempts from beyond 40 yards in 2022. Butker was a perfect 12-for-12 on the same kicks last season, finishing with a career-high in fantasy points per game (9.1). The Chiefs will also have a new weapon in the punt game with 2022 sixth-round pick Matt Araiza. The “Punt God” had his career put on hiatus due to legal issues, but he’s back with an NFL team. During his final season with San Diego State, he averaged 51.2 yards per punt and routinely flashed a powerful leg.
The Chiefs will seemingly split kickoff and punt return duties. Deneric Prince is slated to get the first shot at kick returns but has limited experience in college (four returns for 68 yards in 2020) and no returns in the NFL. Rookie receiver Xavier Worthy will get the first shot at punt returning duties after averaging 16.9 yards per punt return in his final season at Texas. If either player struggles, Kadarius Toney also has experience as a returner and could be used.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
K: Cam Little, P: Logan Cooke, KR/PR: Devin Duvernay
Jacksonville will be turning to a rookie kicker in 2024 after selecting Stanford’s Cam Little in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Little was perfect on extra points during his three years in college (129-of-129) but hit just 82.8% of his career field goal attempts. He hit four attempts from beyond 50 yards during his final season. Logan Cooke will return to the Jaguars for his seventh season as the team’s punter. He averages 47.1 yards per punt in his career with 40.5% of his attempts landing within the 20-yard line.
The Jaguars added a dynamic piece to their return game, signing former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devin Duvernay to handle both kick and punt return duties. Duvernay was excellent in both areas once again in 2023, averaging 12.6 yards per punt return and 19.3 yards per kick return. He also has two career kick return touchdowns, a number that could rise with the new rules in place in 2024.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
K: Cameron Dicker, P: JK Scott, KR/PR: Derius Davis
Cameron Dicker remains one of the most consistent kickers in football. In two seasons, he’s hit all 45 of his attempts inside of 50 yards and converted all 59 extra-point attempts in his career. He struggles to convert from distance (70% from 50-plus in two seasons), but reliability is better than a big leg for many teams in the league. JK Scott also continued to improve in his second season with the Chargers. He posted a career-high 42.2 net yards per punt on 75 attempts in 2023 while cutting down his touchback rate (5.3%) and improving his rate of punts inside the 20 (40%).
Derius Davis was an electric return man in college and that translated to his rookie season with Los Angeles. Davis averaged 16.0 yards per kick return and scored an 87-yard touchdown while adding 22.0 yards per punt return. He is a weapon on special teams and should only get better with kickoff rules incentivizing returns.
5. Philadelphia Eagles
K: Jake Elliott, P: Braden Mann, KR: Isaiah Rodgers, PR: Britain Covey
Jake Elliott has always been a great kicker, and 2023 might have been the best season of his career. Elliott converted a career-high 93.8% of his field goal attempts and the second most extra points (97.8%) in his illustrious career. Elliott had just one miss inside 40 yards and one miss over 50 yards last season. The team also got strong play from fourth-year punter Braden Mann in his first season in Philadelphia. Mann had a career-best 43.8 net yards per punt, 2.3% touchback rate and 34.1% of his punts landing within the 20. They may be the best kicker and punter duo in the league.
The Eagles will also hope that Isaiah Rodgers can return from his 2023 gambling suspension to continue to be a dynamic kick returner. In three seasons with the Colts, Rodgers averaged 27.0 yards on 61 kick returns while also scoring a touchdown. Britain Covey is slated to reprise his role as the team’s punt returner after averaging 14.4 yards per return in 2023.
6. Cleveland Browns
K: Dustin Hopkins, P: Corey Bojorquez, KR/PR: Nyheim Hines
Dustin Hopkins was solid in his first season with the Browns, converting 91.7% of his field goals and 92.3% of his extra points. Hopkins has hit the 90% mark on field goals in three of his last four seasons, including a career-best 8-for-8 in his 50-plus-yard attempts in 2023. Punter Corey Bojorquez improved his net punt yard average (42.2%) and touchback rate (10.3%) in his second season with Cleveland. However, his inside the 20 rate (35.6%) fell for the third consecutive season.
The Browns also brought dynamic return man Nyheim Hines to the team on a free-agent deal. A jet ski incident last offseason led to a torn ACL and a missed season, but assuming Hines can return to full health then he should be a weapon in the return game. He has four career return touchdowns (two on kickoffs and two on punts). In his career, he’s returned 84 punts for an 11.4-yard average and 32 kickoffs for 25.5 yards per return.
7. Tennessee Titans
K: Nick Folk, P: Ryan Stonehouse, KR: Tyjae Spears, PR: Jha’Quan Jackson
Nick Folk’s 16th season was one of the best seasons of his career. He converted 96.7% of his field goal attempts, hitting all six of his attempts between 40 and 49 yards and five of his six attempts of 50-plus. It was the highest conversion rate of his career and was enough to offset his solid 93.3% hit rate on extra points. Punter Ryan Stonehouse was even better in his second season after a strong 2022 rookie campaign. His touchback rate climbed (18.9%), but so did his net yards per punt (44.3) and his percentage of punts that landed within the 20-yard line (52.8%, up from 33.3% in his rookie season).
Tennessee expects Tyjae Spears to contribute heavily on offense, but he will likely contribute as the team’s kick returner on special teams. Spears averaged 20.8 yards per return on 13 kick returns as a rookie. Punt return duties will likely fall to rookie Jha’Quan Jackson in his first season. Jackson had 60 punt returns during his time at Tulane, averaging 11.3 yards per return and scoring a touchdown. He can also contribute as a kick returner if the Titans deem Spears’ role on offense too important to risk an injury on special teams.
8. Carolina Panthers
K: Eddy Pineiro, P: Johnny Hekker, KR: Raheem Blackshear, PR: Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Like most of the Panthers, Eddy Pineiro struggled with consistency in 2023. The veteran kicker converted all 13 of his field goals within 40 yards but was just 12-of-16 on kicks past 40. He also made a career-low 86.2% of his extra point attempts last season. Punter Johnny Hekker was consistent yet again in his second season with Carolina. Hekker averaged 42.4 net yards per punt and had his lowest touchback rate since 2021 (6.1%). He did regress on dropping punts within the 20-yard line (30.5% in 2023, down from 48.1% in 2022).
The Panthers could have one of the more dynamic returning duos returning in 2024. Running back Raheem Blackshear hasn’t made much of an impact as a rusher but has been an impactful return man. He had his second consecutive season with at least 16 returns and 26.0 yards per return. Ihmir Smith-Marsette has struggled to see the field as a receiver but flashed as a punt returner last season. He had 37 returns for 322 yards and a touchdown in his first season handling return duties.
9. Minnesota Vikings
K: Will Reichard, P: Ryan Wright, KR: Ty Chandler, PR: Brandon Powell
The Vikings drafted Alabama’s Will Reichard in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft to serve as their kicker. Reichard was prolific throughout his college career, finishing as the NCAA’s career points leader and converting on 10 attempts from beyond 50. He was 22-of-25 on field goals in his final season and converted all 55 of his PAT attempts. He will join returning punter Ryan Wright as the team’s other kicker. Wright struggled to build upon a strong 2022 rookie season, regressing in terms of net yards per punt (41.6), touchback rate (11.9%) and punts inside the 20 (28.8%).
Minnesota is expected to split returning duties between running back Ty Chandler and wide receiver Brandon Powell. Chandler was successful in a small sample size returning kicks in 2023, averaging 24.3 yards on his four returns. Powell has far more of a track record returning punts (86 career returns), averaging 8.8 yards per return over his career. He can also handle kick return duties (21.0 career yards per return) if needed.
10. Chicago Bears
K: Cairo Santos, P: Tory Taylor, KR: Velus Jones Jr., PR: DeAndre Carter
Cairo Santos has continued to bring a steady presence to Chicago’s kicking game. The veteran kicker has made over 90% of his attempts in three of his four seasons with Chicago, including a 92.1% conversion rate in 2023. All three of his misses last season came from beyond 40 yards. The Bears also used a premium draft pick to upgrade their punter, drafting Iowa’s Tory Taylor in the fourth round. Taylor averaged 46.3 yards per punt in his career, including 103 punts that traveled over 50 yards. 32 of his 93 punts in 2023 landed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Velus Jones Jr. will return as the team’s kick returner in 2023 after two successful seasons in that role. Jones is averaging 27.4 yards per return on 63 career returns through his first two seasons. Free agent acquisition DeAndre Carter will likely get the first shot at punt return duties. Carter has 132 career punt returns for a 9.8-yard average and is also an accomplished kick returner (22.4 average return yards on 101 returns).
11. Cincinnati Bengals
K: Evan McPherson, P: Brad Robbins, KR: Trayveon Williams, PR: Charlie Jones
Evan McPherson had a bounceback of sorts in 2023. The veteran kicker struggled on his attempts from 40-49 yards during 2022 but rebounded to go a perfect 8-of-8 last season. Unfortunately, McPherson was just 7-of-12 from 50-plus yards, leading to an 83.9% conversion rate. He offset his deep inconsistency by posting his first career season with 100% of his PATs made. McPherson still has one of the strongest legs in the NFL even if his accuracy isn’t always great. Rookie punter Brad Robbins also had a strong season for the Bengals, averaging 40.1 net yards per punt and dropping 26.3% of his attempts inside the 20-yard line.
Cincinnati will once again use Trayveon Williams as the primary kick returner and Charlie Jones on punt return duties. Williams has averaged 23.1 yards on 28 kick returns over the last two seasons. Jones was dynamic as a punt returner in his rookie season, averaging 10.8 yards per return on 23 returns. He also had a touchdown returning the ball during his rookie year.
The Bengals have a young special teams core, but all of them have had success despite their lack of NFL experience. This unit should continue to improve.
12. Houston Texans
K: Ka’imi Fairbairn, P: Tommy Townshend, KR: Dameon Pierce, PR: Steven Sims
Ka’imi Fairbairn has continued to improve throughout his seven-year career. Fairbairn converted on 96.4% of his field goal attempts and 95.5% of his extra points during the 2023 season. His only field goal miss came from 50-plus yards last season. He’s gone 11-of-12 from 50-plus over the last two years. The Texans also signed former Chiefs punter Tommy Townshend to man their punt team. Townshend’s net punt yard average dropped to 41.9 yards (was 45.6) in his final season with the team. He also saw an increase in touchback rate (8.5%) and a dip in his punts inside the 20 (33.9%). Houston will hope he can rediscover his consistency in a new setting.
Dameon Pierce may have lost his foothold in the backfield, but he still has value as a kick returner. Pierce had just seven kick returns last season but racked up 225 return yards (32.1 yards per return) and a touchdown in his limited experience. Similarly, Steven Sims didn’t have many return opportunities on punts but averaged 12.3 yards on his four returns.
13. Arizona Cardinals
K: Matt Prater, P: Blake Gillikin, KR: DeeJay Dallas, PR: Greg Dortch
Matt Prater may not be as good as he was in the past, but he’s still a very consistent kicker after 17 years in the NFL. Prater hit 84.8% of his attempts in 2023 (and 95.7% of his extra points). Prater had one miss from 30-39 yards, one miss from 40-49 yards, and three misses from 50-plus. The Cardinals also got solid play from Blake Gillikin after he joined the team in free agency. Gillikin posted his highest net yards per punt (42.9%) and the lowest touchback rate of his career (3.9%). However, he landed a career-worst 21.6% of his punts inside the 20 after posting a 34.9% and 41.6% to start his career.
Arizona went into free agency to grab former Seahawk DeeJay Dallas to serve as their kick returner. Dallas has averaged 23.8 yards on kick returns throughout his three-year career. He also averaged 10.6 yards on punt returns in 2023 and could contribute there as well. As of now, the expectation is that Greg Dortch will serve as the lead punt returner. Dortch averages 8.0 yards per return on 49 career punts but could see an expanded role on the offense that may get him removed from return duties.
14. Atlanta Falcons
K: Younghoe Koo, P: Bradley Pinion, KR/PR: Avery Williams
Younghoe Koo posted his second consecutive season with 32-of-37 made field goals (86.5%) in 2023. He continues to be extremely effective inside 40 yards (20-of-20 in 2023) but struggles from distance. Koo has consecutive seasons with at least three misses from 50-plus yards. He could vastly improve his fantasy production (8.1 PPG in 2023) in a better offense. Punter Bradley Pinion continues to be a consistent producer for the Falcons. Pinion had his second straight season with a 41.0-plus net punt average, a 4.0% or lower touchback rate and a 36.0% or higher inside the 20 rate.
Atlanta will hope that dynamic kick returner Avery Williams is healthy and ready to contribute after missing the 2023 season due to a torn ACL. Williams averaged 16.2 yards per punt return and 19.6 yards per kick return in 2022 and has the explosive ability to take any kick to the house. He should benefit greatly from the new kickoff rules.
15. Las Vegas Raiders
K: Daniel Carlson, P: AJ Cole, KR/PR: Tre Tucker
The Raiders need Daniel Carlson to be more consistent in 2024 than he was in 2023. Carlson had the lowest field goal percentage since 2019 (86.7%) in his seventh career season. Carlson had misses from 30-39, 40-49 and was just 1-for-3 from 50-plus. He did hit 100% of his PATs for the third time in his career. AJ Cole is arguably the best punter in the NFL. Cole was a first-team All-Pro in 2023 with a 43.7 net punt average (his second season over 43 yards) and an 8.0% touchback rate. He had his fifth straight season with an inside-the-20 rate above 43.0%.
Tre Tucker didn’t see the field much as a rookie but will be expected to contribute as a returner in 2024. Tucker was a prolific kick returner in college at Cincinnati, averaging 24.9 return yards over his four-year career. He also had three kickoff return touchdowns. Tucker was seldom used as a punt returner (five career returns, three in his final season) but has the speed to make an impact there as well.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
K: Chase McLaughlin, P: Jake Camarda, KR: Bucky Irving, PR: Jalen McMillan
Chase McLaughlin had his best professional season during his first year with the Buccaneers. The veteran kicker hit a career-high 93.5% of his field goals (including 7-of-8 attempts from 50-plus yards). He also had his third season out of five career years with a 100% extra point conversion rate. Jake Camarda followed up a solid rookie season with another strong season. Camarda had virtually the same net punt distance (41.2, down from 41.4 as a rookie), but improved his touchback rate (11.7%) and his punts inside the 20-yard line (33.8%). He’s proven to be a steady, reliable punter.
The Buccaneers are expected to lean on their rookie class for return duties in 2024. Running back Bucky Irving is expected to return kicks. He had just one return in his final season due to his role on the Oregon offense but averaged over 24.0 yards per return during the 2021 and 2022 seasons in college. Rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan is also in the lead to return punts. He had just nine collegiate punt returns for 83 yards during his time at Washington.
17. Miami Dolphins
K: Jason Sanders, P: Jake Bailey, KR/PR: Braxton Berrios
Jason Sanders continued to rebound from a rough 2021 season that saw him hit just 74.2% of his field goals. The veteran kicker had his highest field goal percentage since 2020 (85.7%) with all four of his misses coming from 40-plus yards. Punter Jake Bailey also had a successful first season in Miami after four years with the Patriots. Bailey had his highest net punt yards per attempt since 2020 (40.7 yards) and the lowest touchback rate of his career (5.7%) in 2023. He struggles to pin the opponent inside the 20 (37.7%).
Braxton Berrios continued to be one of the best return men in the NFL during his first year with the Dolphins. The veteran receiver had his third straight season averaging over 10.0 yards per punt return and 23.0 yards per kick return. Berrios has one career kick return touchdown, but that number could rise with the new kickoff rules in 2024.
18. New York Jets
K: Greg Zuerlein, P: Thomas Morstead, KR/PR: Xavier Gipson
Greg Zuerlein remains one of the best distance kickers in the NFL. The 14-year veteran missed just two attempts from 50-plus yards and one attempt from 40-49 yards last season, while posting his highest conversion rate since 2017 (92.1%). Conversely, veteran punter Thomas Morstead may be starting to show his age. Morstead did well in terms of distance last season (41.7 net yards per punt) but had an 8.1% touchback rate (up from 3.3% in 2023) and a 36.4% rate of punts inside the 20. It was the second time in three seasons he failed to surpass 40% of his punts landing inside the 20.
Rookie Xavier Gipson was called on more on offense than the Jets expected but his real contributions in 2023 came in the return game. Gipson averaged 23.2 yards per kick return in his first season and 9.7 yards per punt return. He notably scored the decisive touchdown against the Jets in Week 1 on a 65-yard punt return in overtime.
19. Los Angeles Rams
K: Joshua Karty, P: Ethan Evans, KR: Boston Scott, PR: Kyren Williams
The Rams will hope that 2024 sixth-round pick Joshua Karty can provide stability to their kicker position after an excellent career at Stanford. Karty converted 85.0% of his field goal attempts during his final three seasons with the Cardinal while also hitting 72-of-73 extra points. Los Angeles will hope that Ethan Evans can improve in his second season. The 2023 rookie punter averaged 49.2 yards per punt which translated to just 38.4 net yards per punt after returns. His 31.7% inside the 20 rate was strong, but his 11.1% touchback rate needs improvement.
The Rams have several ways they can go for returner duties. Veteran free agent Boston Scott has plenty of experience as a returner from his six seasons with the Eagles with 66 kick returns for 1,504 yards in his career. Kyren Williams is listed as the team’s punt returner with last year’s returner (Austin Trammell) signed with the Jaguars this offseason. Williams had just three returns for 21 yards last season.
20. Detroit Lions
K: Jake Bates, P: Jack Fox, KR: Khalil Dorsey, PR: Kalif Raymond
The Lions dipped into the UFL pool for their kicker after struggling with inconsistency during the 2023 season. Jake Bates signed a 2-year deal with Detroit after nailing two 60-plus-yard field goals (he hit just 77% of his attempts overall). They also have veteran Michael Badgley on the roster. Jack Fox will return to punt for his fifth season in Detroit. His net yards per punt have declined every season (40.9 yards in 2023). He has consecutive years with a sub-10% touchback rate and had his best rate of punts inside the 20 of his career last season (45.6%).
Returner duties will likely be split between two returning contributors from the 2023 season. Khalil Dorsey averaged 20.3 yards per kick return in his first season with the Lions including a long of 30 yards. Kalif Raymond will handle punt returns once again. He’s averaged over 11.0 yards per punt return in three straight seasons and has one career punt return touchdown. He also has experience returning kicks if needed.
21. Baltimore Ravens
K: Justin Tucker, P: Jordan Stout, KR/PR: Deonte Harty
Unfortunately for Justin Tucker, Father Time is undefeated. Tucker had his second consecutive season with an 86% conversion rate on field goals and one missed extra point. The 12-year veteran is 10-for-19 on his 50-plus-yard attempts over the last two seasons after going 1-for-5 in 2023. Jordan Stout built upon a strong rookie year in his second season. Stout averaged 47.8 yards per punt (39.1 net) and cut his touchback rate (7.6%). His percentage of punts inside the 20 dipped to 42.4%, but that is still a very strong number.
The Ravens let longtime returner Devin Duvernay walk in free agency, replacing him with free-agent wide receiver Deonte Harty. The veteran was excellent as a punt returner in his lone season with Buffalo (26 returns for 323 yards and a touchdown), but only returned one kickoff for seven yards. He does have a history of being a dynamic kick returner as well (76 returns for a 25.2-yard average) and should be utilized in both roles with his new team.
22. Seattle Seahawks
K: Jason Myers, P: Michael Dickson, KR: Laviska Shenault Jr., PR: Dee Williams
Seattle needs more consistency from nine-year veteran kicker Jason Myers. Myers converted on just 83.3% of his field goals in 2023 with one miss from 30-39 yards, two misses from 40-49 yards and four misses from 50-plus. He did have his first season with a 100% conversion rate on extra points. Conversely, Michael Dickson continues to establish himself as one of, if not the, best punters in the NFL. The six-year veteran had his first season with a punt average of 50 yards and his second consecutive season with a net distance of 44 yards. Dickson also posted the longest punt of his career (73 yards) but needs to clean up his touchback rate after hitting the 12% mark for the second time in his career.
The Seahawks will have two new faces returning the ball in 2024. Veteran wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. joined the team in free agency and will get the first shot as the team’s kick returner. Shenault averaged 27.7 yards per kick return during his two seasons in Carolina on just nine returns. Rookie Dee Williams will be the team’s punt returner. Williams was prolific as a punt returner over the last two seasons at Tennessee, returning 35 punts for 540 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also has experience as a kick returner (13 returns for 274 yards).
23. Indianapolis Colts
K: Matt Gay, P: Rigoberto Sanchez, KR/PR: Anthony Gould
Matt Gay struggled mightily in 2023, hitting just 80.5% of his field goal attempts, the lowest number since his rookie season. The normally reliable deep ball kicker was just 8 of 13 on attempts from 50-plus. Punter Rigoberto Sanchez had his best professional season in his sixth year. He had a career-high 42.8 net yards per punt and didn’t record a single touchback. His rate of punts inside the 20 dipped to just 30.9% last year.
Indianapolis will hope Anthony Gould’s skill as a college kick returner will translate to the NFL. Gould returned 26 kicks for 423 yards and two touchdowns during his five-year career with Oregon State. He has limited experience as a punt returner but will get the first shot at that assignment as well.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
K: Chris Boswell, P: Cameron Johnston, KR: Cordarrelle Patterson, PR: Calvin Austin III
Chris Boswell bounced back from an abysmal 2022 (71.4% field goal conversion rate), hitting 93.5% of his attempts in 2023. He had just two misses on the season, both from 40-plus yards. The Steelers added veteran punter Cameron Johnston in free agency to hopefully upgrade their kicking unit. Johnston had a career-high 43.7 net yards per punt in 2023. He has three straight seasons with a 4.5% touchback rate and an inside the 20 rate above 42%, including a career-best 45.5% last season.
Cordarrelle Patterson’s best days are behind him, but he’s still one of the best kick returners in the history of the NFL. Patterson has averaged 29.3 yards on 273 kick returns throughout his career and has scored nine return touchdowns. Wide receiver Calvin Austin III will handle punt return duties after a strong showing last season. The rookie had 29 punt returns for 249 yards including a long return of 34 yards.
25. Buffalo Bills
K: Tyler Bass, P: Sam Martin, KR/PR: Khalil Shakir
Tyler Bass has a strong leg, but he continues to be inconsistent with his accuracy. Bass has missed at least four field goals per season since entering the NFL. He has a powerful leg (a long of 54-plus yards each season) but isn’t the most accurate from distance. Veteran punter Sam Martin might finally be losing steam after 11 years in the NFL. Martin’s net punt average dropped for the third year in a row (39.8 yards). Thankfully he’s a precision punter as evidenced by his 5.9% touchback rate and a career-best 47.1% rate of punts landing inside the 20.
The expectation is that Khalil Shakir will handle both kickoff and punt return duties after being used in that role sparingly to start his career. Shakir has just six career kick returns (22.0 yards per return) and eight career punt returns (7.5 yards per return).
26. Denver Broncos
K: Wil Lutz, P: Riley Dixon, KR/PR: Marvin Mims Jr.
The Denver atmosphere certainly helped Will Lutz bounce back in 2023. Lutz made just 74.2% of his field goals during his final season with the Saints in 2022. In 2023, that number increased to 88.2%. Lutz is still very inconsistent as a kicker and may not have many opportunities on a bad offense in 2024. Punter Riley Dixon played well in his first season with the Broncos. The veteran had his best net punt distance since 2019 (41.5 yards) and his highest rate of punts inside the 20 since 2020 (34.2%).
Marvin Mims Jr. didn’t see the field much on offense, but he had a major impact as a return specialist. Mims returned 15 kickoffs for 397 yards and a touchdown and 19 punts for 312 yards. Mims is one of the more dynamic return men in the NFL.
27. San Francisco 49ers
K: Jake Moody, P: Mitch Wishnowsky, KR/PR: Ronnie Bell
Jake Moody was inconsistent during his rookie season after being taken with a top-100 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Moody hit just 84% of his field goals, including two misses from 40-49. He needs to get more consistent to pay off his high draft capital. Punter Mitch Wishnowsky had the best season of his career, averaging a net 42.7 punt yards. He had a career-best touchback rate (3.8%) and posted his second year with at least 50% of his punts landing inside the 20.
Ronnie Bell didn’t have a major role on kickoff last season but was an effective punt returner (10 returns for 70 yards). He isn’t overly dynamic with the ball in his hands, so he could lose this job to someone more explosive.
28. Green Bay Packers
K: Anders Carlson, P: Daniel Whalen, KR: Keisean Nixon, PR: Jayden Reed
Anders Carlson struggled with consistency throughout his rookie year. Carlson went just 4-for-8 from 40-49 yards and 81.8% of his field goal attempts overall. He also missed five extra-point attempts on the season. Rookie punter Daniel Whalen was much more consistent, dropping 31.6% of his punts inside the 20 with just an 8.8% touchback rate.
Keisean Nixon has been the best kick returner in the NFL over the last two seasons. Nixon has back-to-back seasons with at least 30 kick returns and 782 return yards with one touchdown. He’s been named a first-team All-Pro in consecutive years. Jayden Reed is expected to return punts after averaging 8.5 yards per return.
29. New Orleans Saints
K: Blake Grupe, P: Lou Hedley, KR/PR: Rashid Shaheed
Blake Grupe needs to be more consistent after hitting just 81.1% of his field goal attempts last season. He missed seven total kicks, including two in the 20-29 range. Lou Hedley was more successful punting the ball, pinning 41.3% of his attempts inside the 20-yard line.
Rashid Shaheed has been extremely explosive as a return man throughout his first two seasons in the NFL. He’s averaging 11.8 yards on 45 punt returns and 22.0 yards on 32 kick returns. He has one return touchdown on a punt return.
30. Washington Commanders
K: Ramiz Ahmed, P: Tress Way, KR: Chris Rodriguez, P: Jamison Crowder
Ramiz Ahmed joins the Commanders after spending the last two years in the USFL and UFL. Ahmed converted just 24-of-35 field goal attempts the last two seasons and 7-of-10 extra points. He struggles consistently hitting kicks past 40 yards (11-of-21), but does have a long of 61 yards in his professional career. Tress Way doesn’t have the strongest leg (41.0 net punt yard average), but he’s an excellent directional punter. He posted a 2.7% touchback rate last season with 41.1% of his punts landing inside the 20.
Return duties will be split between second-year running back Chris Rodriguez and veteran receiver Jamison Crowder. Rodriguez doesn’t have much return experience (just two returns for 37 yards in college), so it’s hard to know how effective he will be. Conversely, Jamison Crowder has plenty of experience as a punt returner. Crowder averages 8.1 yards per return in his career (130 returns) with a touchdown.
31. New England Patriots
K: Chad Ryland, P: Bryce Baringer, KR: Jalen Reagor, PR: DeMario Douglas
Chad Ryland was terrible in his rookie season, hitting just 64% of his field goal attempts on the year. He missed 5-of-10 attempts from 40 to 49 yards. He also missed an extra-point attempt. Bryce Baringer was better in his rookie season punting. He averaged 40.8 net yards per punt with 38.8% of his attempts landing inside the 20.
Jalen Reagor hasn’t made an impact as a receiver in the NFL but may have found his calling as a kick returner. Reagor had seven returns for 221 yards and a touchdown last season. DeMario Douglas was effective as a punt returner, finishing with 11 punts for 56 yards.
32. New York Giants
K: Graham Gano, P: Jamie Gillan, KR/PR: Isaiah McKenzie
Graham Gano was terrible last season, converting just 11-of-17 attempts (64.7%). He made just three of five attempts from 30-39 yards and three of six attempts from 40-49 yards. Jamie Gillan was improved in his second season with the Giants, averaging a career-best 42.2 net yards per punt. 36.8% of his punts landed inside the 20 and only 4.2% went for a touchback.
The Giants will hope that free agent Isaiah McKenzie can provide stability and explosiveness to their return team. McKenzie has averaged 22.6 yards on 56 kick returns and 8.9 yards on 81 punt returns.
