Kick Return Specialists To Target In Your Fantasy Leagues
With the new NFL kickoff rule being implemented in the NFL, there is value in identifying key returners on NFL teams if leagues allow return yards as fantasy points. Kevin breaks down his top-20!
Get ready, because kickoff returns are making a comeback! The NFL has recently adopted the XFL’s kick return rule, a significant change that could significantly impact fantasy football. Last season, the NFL saw a mere 21.8% of all kicks returned, a record low for the league. In stark contrast, the XFL boasted a 97% return rate in 2023. This stark difference in return rates has prompted the NFL to revise its rules, potentially leading to a surge in fantasy points in both redraft and dynasty leagues depending on league scoring rules.
Most leagues will only reward players for touchdowns, but there are leagues out there that reward players for points for yards. In redraft leagues or leagues that use team defenses, there could also be a renewed strategy of targeting defenses with strong special team returners due to their ability to earn fantasy points. With that in mind, I decided to rank the top twenty returners heading in the 2024 season. The starters are, according to current NFL depth charts and my independent research according to beat reporters, but they are incredibly fluid. As new information presents itself, I will update the list. On top of the top 20 list below, there will be a watchlist of rookies to watch as the off-season progresses and training camps get underway.
Rookie Watchlist
CB Daequan Hardy, Buffalo Bills
WR/RB Keilan Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
WR Lideatrick Griffin, Las Vegas Raiders
WR Ainias Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
WR Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
CB Kris Abrams-Draine, Denver Broncos
WR Jaelen Gill, Los Angeles Chargers
Kenny Logan Jr., Los Angeles Rams
20. WR/RB Louis Rees-Zammit, Kansas City Chiefs
The ultimate wildcard in fantasy leagues this season. Rees-Zammit comes to the Chiefs as one of the best Rugby players in the world. He is listed at 6-2 209 pounds and posted a 4.43 in his 40-yard dash at the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) pro day. The Chiefs signed him to a three-year, $2.85 million contract, including $250,000 guaranteed. He’s made waves so far in the off-season, with the Chiefs special teams coordinator, Dave Toub, saying that he could be their starting kick returner this season. At his rugby wing position, he had to field many high balls, which should serve as good preparation for returning kicks in the NFL. If you’re looking for an ultimate wildcard, Rees-Zammit is your guy.
19. RB Sione Vaki, Detroit Lions
Vaki was the ultimate Swiss army knife while playing for the Utah Utes. He went from starting at safety to being a game-changing running back and wide receiver. The Detroit Lions traded up to draft Vaki with pick No. 132 in the fourth round of this year’s draft. That versatility has shown up in minicamp, where beat reporters have repeatedly mentioned that he was dominant in special teams periods. The Lions look like they could also find a role for him in their offense as a scat back do it all type weapon.
18. RB Trayveon Williams, Cincinnati Bengals
There is currently a battle to be the #1 kick returner on the Bengals roster between Williams and running back Chris Evans. The job looks like it will be WIlliams’s to lose. Last season, Williams led the team with 12 kickoff returns, and the Bengals made it a point to re-sign the running back to an extension after the rules were announced. Williams also has upside as the possible third-down running back on the team.
17. WR Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders
Tucker is one of the most explosive players on the Raiders offense. While he didn’t get many reps as a returner last season, he was named team captain in college his senior year primarily due to his special teams ability. He capped his collegiate career as one of the greatest returners in Cincinnati Bearcat history. He ranked fifth all-time in kickoff return average (24.9) and third in kickoff return yards (1,670). His 67 kickoff returns rank third all-time, and he is currently tied for second all-time in kickoff returns for touchdowns (two). That special teams prowess will get him on the field with the new rules and Tucker could be one of the more underrated returners in the NFL this season. He also showed upside as a receiver in 2023, catching 19 balls on 34 targets for 331 yards and two touchdowns.
16. WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite being 33 years old, Cordarrelle Patterson remains unparalleled as a return specialist. Now entering his 12th NFL season, he holds the all-time records for average yards per kickoff return (29.3) and for the most kickoff return touchdowns (nine). The Steelers made it a point to sign him to a free agent deal as soon as the new kickoff rules were announced and he could make a big impact for the team this season. He is also reunited with his Atlant Falcons head coach, Arthur Smith, who was the head coach/offensive coordinator when Patterson had more than 1,300 rushing yards combined in 2021/2022.
15. RB Tyrone Tracy Jr, New York Giants
Tracy was one of the most versatile backs in the draft class. Tracy started his career as a wide receiver at the University of Iowa before switching positions when he transferred to Purdue. He has seen success as both a runner and pass catcher. He will compete for the RB2 on the depth chart this season. He was also a second-team All-Big Ten selection as a return specialist, brings valuable experience in this area, and will undoubtedly be the Giants' primary returner. Throughout his college career, Tracy achieved the 11th-best kickoff return average in Purdue history. Tracy gives the Giants a much-needed weapon in all facets of their offensive scheme.
14. RB DeeJay Dallas, Arizona Cardinals
Dallas never found a big role with the Seahawks as a running back but was their primary returner. He averaged 25.9 yards per return and had a total of 440 yards on the season. He’s not a flashy pick, but he is a high-floor returner who could provide enough upside to be worth a pick in leagues that get you points per return yard.
13. WR Braxton Berrios, Miami Dolphins
As a kickoff returner, Berrios led the league with a 30.4 average in 2021; in 2022, he averaged 23.1 yards per return, and last season with the Dolphins, he averaged 24.5 yards per return. He has been named as a first-team All-Pro kick returner in the past and has shown to make an impact on special teams. With the Dolphins and their creative staff, we could see them use some of their more explosive players as a returner which could limit Berrios upside.
12. WR Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
Shakir may be asked to be the team's primary kick returner in 2024 after returning just five kicks last season for 98 yards and averaging 19.6 yards per return. Rookie Daequan Hardy is also a player to watch as the fall camp starts. If it is Shakir, he could be a fun target in fantasy leagues due to his pass-catching upside in an offense that is looking for more options after the departure of Stefon Diggs. He is expected to have a more significant role as a receiver in the offense, and the coaching staff may want to limit the workload on special teams; however, if he does both, he could be a sneaky add out there for fantasy managers. He has shown big play ability and could be a special weapon for the Bills on special teams.
11. RB Raheem Blackshear, Carolina Panthers
Blackshear is on this roster to play special teams. This past season, his return duties were exclusively on kickoffs, where he returned 16 kicks for 430 yards, giving him an average of 26.9 yards per return. The issue for Blackshear is that there is a crowded running back room ahead of him, and he will need to have a strong pre-season to make the 53-man roster. If he does make the roster, though, he is a solid option as a returner.
10. WR Anthony Gould, Indianapolis Colts
Gould, a sleeper among this group, is a player to watch as the pre-season unfolds. The former Oregon State Beaver, a 2022 All-American punt returner, was quickly one of the most explosive returners in college football throughout his career. The Colts coaching staff has prioritized field position this year and are looking to bolster their return game after a lackluster 2023 season on special teams. They drafted Gould for that exact reason. Not only was he an All-American returner, but his 8.87 RAS score at the combine showcased his speed and acceleration. He ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and a 1.49-second 10-yard split to back up those numbers. His playmaking ability and the coaching staff’s praise for him are sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats as the pre-season unfolds.
9. WR Velus Jones Jr., Chicago Bears
Jones has been the brunt of many jokes since the Bears selected him due to his age, but he could be relevant again this season. While he struggled with ball security as a punt returner, he performed well as a kick returner in 2023. Among players with at least ten returns last season, Jones’ 27.2 yards per return ranked second, behind only KaVontae Turpin, who had 29.2 yards per return. However, Jones will need to make an impact in camp because if he struggles, he could be on the chopping block for the 53-man roster.
8. WR Marvin Mims Jr, Denver Broncos
Mims truthers were in shambles after last season’s poor performance and inability to earn targets. Mims had 22 catches for 377 yards and a touchdown as a receiver in 2023, but most of that production came early in the season, and he was completely phased out of the offense down the stretch. The one area that he excelled, though was as a kick returner, where he scored a touchdown against the Dolphins, and his 26.5 yards per kick return ranked first among players with at least 15 attempts during the season. With Jerry Jeudy moving to Cleveland, the opportunity for Mims to be a weapon in multiple facets of the Broncos offense is there.
7. RB Kene Nwangwu, Minnesota Vikings
Nwangwu has been a favorite of mine since Iowa State, and this new rule change is perfect for him as a player. While he hasn’t successfully created a role for himself as a running back, as a returner, he will be one of the most explosive players in the NFL. Over his career, he has returned 68 kicks for 1879 yards (27.6 yards per return) while scoring three touchdowns. There should be no concern for competition in camp, and he will be a lock for the 53-man roster. Look for Nwangu to be an impact returner this season.
6. WR Rashid Shaheed, New Orlean Saints
Shaheed was not only a Pro Bowl kick return specialist last season but was also an All-Pro punt return specialist. Shaheed was second in the NFC and third in the NFL in punt return average (13.6), returning 25 punts for 339 yards and one long touchdown against the Green Bay Packers. He also returned 18 kickoffs for 384 yards, averaging 21.3 yards per return. What many don’t know is that he was probably one of the best college returners in the history of the sport. While at Weber State, he returned 88 kicks for 2,560 yards and scored seven touchdowns. He was a difference-maker, and with these new rules, he could flat-out be a league-altering fantasy pick if your leagues allow return yards to be counted as fantasy points. The one downside to his overall ceiling is he is also a great pass catcher, catching 46 balls for 719 yards and five touchdowns. The Saints lost Michael Thomas this off-season and could decide they need Shaheed more as a pass catcher and limit his return opportunities. If that happens, keep your eye out for WR Jermaine Jackson.
5. WR Devin Duvernay, Jacksonville Jaguars
Duvernay has been one of the best return specialists in the NFL since he was drafted in 2020. Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro in 2021, Duvernay averaged 13.8 yards per punt return and 24.1 yards per kick return. In 2022, he earned another Pro Bowl selection with 11.9 yards per punt return and 25.5 yards per kick return. Over four years, he averaged 12.8 yards per punt return and 24.8 yards per kick return, scoring two kick return touchdowns. The coaching staff has been raving about his speed since he got to camp and have noted he has run 23 miles per hour in minicamp. He will compete with rookie Keilan Robinson but should be the starter in week 1.
4. WR Derius Davis, Los Angeles Chargers
During his time at TCU, Davis returned five punts for touchdowns on just 44 attempts, including one in his first college game. He averaged 15.0 yards per return and was a constant threat with his explosive speed. He also averaged 29.6 yards per kickoff return, scoring one touchdown in 2021. Last season for the Chargers, he was named to the NFL All-Pro Second team as a punt returner. He returned 24 punts for 16.0 yards per attempt with a touchdown. He averaged 22 yards as a kickoff returner. The second-year pro is one of the NFL’s most dangerous returners and is a threat to score every time he touches the football. He can also earn his way onto the field as a pass catcher, especially with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams off the roster.
3. WR Xavier Gipson, New York Jets
Gipson was an undrafted free agent who beat out Mecole Hardman in the preseason to earn starting duties as both a punt and kickoff returner. Last season, he was second in the league with 511 kick return yards, averaging 23.2 yards per return. He also added over 300 punt return yards and scored a touchdown. The coaching staff loves Gipson and his playmaking ability. The one area of concern for him is his ball security issues. If he doesn’t fix those issues, the newly signed running back Tarik Cohen could take his job.
2. WR KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys
While many believe Turpin could secure the WR3 spot on the Cowboys roster, his true value lies in his explosive special teams skills. He's a two-time Pro Bowler, and last year, he boasted the highest average on kickoff returns (29.2) among players with 10 or more returns. With the new kickoff rules, Turpin's opportunities are set to increase significantly. Cowboys special teams coach John Fassel, renowned as one of the best special teams coordinators in the NFL, is expecting a standout season from Turpin. If the new rule allows for more opportunities, Turpin could be a frontrunner for leading the league in kickoff return touchdowns.
1. CB Keisean Nixon, Green Bay Packers
Nixon is easily the best return man in the NFL. If you play in IDP leagues, he could be a fun option in leagues that allow fantasy points for return yards based on his potential ceiling as a returner. In 2022, Nixon led the NFL with 1,009 kick return yards, including a 105-yard touchdown. Last season, he again led the league with 782 kick return yards and averaged a league-best 26.1 yards per return of any player with 20 or more returns. He also performed well as a nickel back, recording an interception, six pass breakups, and 80 tackles. Nixon could be the premier return man in the NFL for the foreseeable future. The Royale is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.