One of the top kick returners over the past two seasons Malik Knowles has made a name for himself as one of the best to return kicks in College Football. While this new kickoff rule has not necessarily had a big impact on the percentage of kicks being returned (36.56 percent this year versus 35.54 last year), the quality of returns has likely gone down. Without further ado, here are the best return specialists of the 2022 season. His traditional return statistics have been hurt a bit by penalties, with two touchdown returns called back so far. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. . Both returns were not brilliantly blocked up displaying Sherels long-developed ability to squeak through small lanes and find pay dirt for the Vikings. Sr Here is a list of return men in no specific order. The speedster has averaged a top speed of 17.27 mph on his kick returns this season, the second-fastest among players with at least 10 kick returns. Georgia Tech Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Who are the best kick returners of 2023? I wanted to get through bowl season to reevaluate several prospects and do some shuffling, and a lot of the work I did for that led to my debut mock draft, which had few risers. As CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and others note, Richardson is raw but has a tremendous ceiling. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images). Over the past two seasons, Griffin has posted 1072 return yards to go along with two kicks returned for touchdowns. Dealt from Chicago to Baltimore, Roquan Smith was one of the biggest names to change teams before the NFL trade deadline. With the Eagles, they continued taking stabs at the position even after signing Carson Wentz to a big extension that included over $100 million in guaranteed money in 2019. The former three-star recruit landed on the All-Pac 12 Second Team as a return specialist during his sophomore season while leading all Pac-12 returners while averaging 27.2 yards per kick return.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_8',134,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Bolden finished the season posting 599 return yards on 23 returns while posting a career long 80-yard return coming up just short of a touchdown. As a kick returner, Agnews average of 26 yards per return ranked 10th among all players with at least 10 attempts in 2022. signal-caller just finished up an MVP-caliber season in 2022. If he can achieve a combination of consistency while demonstrating the leg strength he exhibited in 2019, hell comfortably be one of the top punters in the 2022 NFL Draft class. However, Mitchell has a long 6'6 frame, but he's very well-proportioned. Sr 6'4" They must tear through running lanes, catch high flying balls, and break tackles in the open field. 6 overall, taking Florida's Anthony Richardson. The 2022 Penn State roster was loaded with NFL-caliber talent. Two of Cowboys' busiest guys on special teams returns the last two years have been receivers CeeDee Lamb and Cedrick Wilson. Next up, the Detroit Lions pull off the stunner of this mock by going with a quarterback at No. Jake Oldroyd, BYU; Anders Carlson, Auburn; Cameron Dicker, Texas; Matt Coghlin, Michigan State; Parker White, South Carolina; Brayden Narveson, Western Kentucky; Charles Campbell, Indiana; Connor Culp, Nebraska; B.T. He played college football at Louisiana Tech University and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Mayer would give them an all-around tight end who could prove to be a reliable outlet for Trevor Lawrence over the middle. Andre Roberts - Andre Roberts does not factor in much on offense but he is one of the best return men in this league. / 215 lbs. Hes a playmaker who averaged 18.9 yards per catch last year, and hell be able to show off his elite speed and acceleration at the Combine. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. 6'6" Women's Champ Week predictions: Which teams will win the auto bids in all 32 conferences? When you look around at some of the top game changers around College Football in 2022, Lideatrick Griffin of the Mississippi State Bulldogs is one name that is well worth mentioning. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Arkansas Soph A Dunsborough, Australia native, UTSAs Lucas Dean will look to continue the ever-growing trend of Australian punters in the NFL. 4h Rob Dawson. Odds & lines subject to change. The game continues to evolve on this side of the ball, with, if only for a year, touchbacks coming out to the 25 instead of the customary 20-yard line. With 356 punt return yards, McCloud finished a mere six yards shy of Marcus Jones 362 for the league lead this season. Now it's time to unveil my adjusted rankings. Remember Devon Achanes 96-yard kick return touchdown @BarstoolAlabama?pic.twitter.com/L6ErZkcS0N. Jones gained a league-high +119 punt return yards over expected, including his walk-off 84-yard punt return touchdown in a Week 10 divisional win against the Jets. The Texans watched Young get snatched up by their AFC South rival, but do still come away with a quarterback at No. Could Achane turn heads with the 40-yard dash at the Combine? Outside of Camarda, no other punter on this list recorded more punts downed inside the 20 than Dean last season. . Dean demonstrated development between his freshman season and last year, increasing his average punt from 40.8 to 46. Palmers 1,043 receiving yards and 71 catches last year were both program records for a wideout. Despite not having a return of more than 39 yards, he ended his season tied for the highest kickoff return grade in the league, with half of his returns netting 25 or more yards. Gardner-Johnson and James Bradberry set to hit free agency this offseason. Sizing up the player of the year winners in all 32 Division I men's conferences. He had 1,109 combined yards last year with over 1,000 on kicks alone. Joining Lucas on the list of the best kick returners in 2022 include Silas Bolden of the Oregon State Beavers, Devon Achane of the Texas A&M Aggies, Lideatrick Griffin of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, and Barion Brown of the Kentucky Wildcats. Williams averaged a staggering, league-leading 16.2 yards per punt return this season, and his 4.6 PRYOE per attempt also led the NFL (min. Another Australian punter trying to establish themselves as one of the top prospects at the position in the 2022 NFL Draft class is Rutgers Adam Korsak. 2 and now the club gives him one of the best receivers in the NFL Draft. Just look at the two clubs we saw playing in the Super Bowl a few weeks ago. Those practices -- which include one-on-one drills -- are great for watching competition between offensive linemen and defensive lineman and pass-catchers against defensive backs. / 243 lbs. Hes the only kicker on this list who made every single one of his kicks in 2020. The breakout quarterbacks are among the Next Gen Stats analytics team's 10 players most likely to earn all-star accolades for the first time this season. As Knowles prepares for the NFL Combine as well as the 2023 NFL Draft, the former Wildcats star finished his career with 1,691 return yards to go along with three kick return touchdowns. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason. Jr A former three-star prospect who was viewed as one of the best high school kickers in the nation, Cade York was given the near-impossible task of replacing cult hero Cole Tracy at LSU. In today's thought exercise, Pittsburgh, for the first time since drafting Ben Roethlisberger No. The Next Gen Stats analytics team reveals its ranking of the top 10 players at the position entering Week 15. They will undoubtedly change throughout the upcoming college football season. Averaged 5.8 yards per carry and 8.1 yards per reception by picking up. Tennessee 10 returns). Before that, he hadnt missed a single field goal attempt, and he converted all 102 of his career extra-point attempts. Dive into PFNsFree NFL Mock Draft Simulatorand test your own drafting acumen. Trent Nelson Taylor (born April 30, 1994) is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Griffin, who has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft finished the season leading all kick returners while averaging 32.3 yards per kick return. The Falcons begin to address that by adding a strong pass rusher like Murphy. Johnson is an athletic and versatile lineman who was able to kick inside at guard along with the tackle spot at Ohio State. NFL playoffs: Which AFC/NFC teams are most likely to hit Super Bowl LVII? Weight: 206 pounds. However, six of his 26 field goal attempts last season were 50-plus yard efforts, and he made four of them. In a league featuring so much pass-catching talent, what's the pecking order at wide receiver right now? The 2022 NFL Draft was the 87th edition of the National Football League's annual draft and was held from April 28-30, 2022, at the Caesars Forum on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.The first round was held on Thursday, April 28, and was followed by the second and third rounds on Friday, April 29. Murphy made 43 tackles, a team-high 14.0 tackles for loss, and a team-best seven sacks in 2021. / 172 lbs. Continue to visitPro Football Networkfor NFL news and in-depth analysis. When it comes to the best current kick returners, few handle kicks and punts better than players like Deonte Harris, Devin Duvernay, and Ray-Ray McCloud. A starter since 2018, hes also one of the best, winning the Lou Groza Award as the nations best kicker following the 2018 season. Skoronski can play opposite of last year's sixth overall pick Ikem Ekwonu and create a tremendous foundation along the O-line. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter (@PFN365) to stay in the loop on all things college football and the NFL Draft landscape. NFL.com Overview: "York was a highly ranked kicker coming . Below we present our seven highest-graded returners so far this season. With Orlando Brown looking at the open market, the Chiefs snag Jones -- who has been compared to Brown during the pre-draft process -- and his massive frame to help solidify the offensive line. Carey Mecole Hardman Jr. (born March 12, 1998) is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). 10 overall to select Patrick Mahomes. The Next Gen Stats analytics team provides a ranking of the top 10 shutdown cornerbacks right now. The Hoosiers freshman finished the season ranked 3rd in all of College Football averaging 28.1 yards per kick return while finishing 12th with 591 return yards. Another Senior Bowl star and a behemoth to boot. When it comes to the best kick returners in College Football there is a long list of talented football players that are well deserving of landing on the Top 10 College Football Kick Returners 2023 Rankings list. / 265 lbs. Similarly to Jones, McCloud showed prowess on both punts and kickoffs, as the two playmakers were the only players to finish top-10 in the NFL in both punt return yards and kick return yards in 2022. In a what felt like a scene lifted straight out of a sports movie, Hines took the opening kickoff in Week 18 back for a 96-yard touchdown in the Bills emotional first game after Damar Hamlins frightening injury. 6'2" Kenny Golladay release: Golladays failed New York Giants tenure is over, Golladay will be released March 15 when the league year begins, expects to have the fastest 40-yard dash time. York also has one of the strongest legs of any of the top kickers in the 2022 NFL Draft, with a career-long of 57 yards. / 310 lbs. There . Atlanta is a team that has plenty of needs, and the defensive line is near the top of the list. Chicago ranked dead-last in pressures in 2022, so Anderson is a welcomed sight on Matt Eberflus' defense off the edge. Much to the glee of James Franklin and his staff, a lot of that talent will still be on the roster in 2023. The Raiders are starting over at quarterback after releasing Derek Carr and decided to go young by selecting Will Levis rather than dipping their toe into the veteran QB market. Then there's great young NFL return men like Amon St. Ra Brown, Tony Pollard, and Trayveon Williams, who are carrying the torch for the next generation of the best NFL returners ever. 6'5" 6'1" / 180 lbs. Why Premier League clubs are no longer hiring as many top ex-players as managers, 329m goal: Felix the only men's contender for Chelsea's Goal of the Month. Boston College Ohio State The future is Bright in Kentucky as Brown also added 628 yards on 50 catches to go along with four touchdown receptions. 6'0" / 300 lbs. 9 and helps solidify the offensive line for Geno Smith at No. Amazingly, the top player on this list didnt even become the Packers first-string returner until midway through the season. After Williams thrived as a kick returner during his rookie season, it was his punt return ability in Year 2 that earned the DB/LB/RB/football player a spot on this list. He's physical, has good ball skills and can blitz off the edge. The Mountaineers star returned 22 kicks across the season including one 99-yard kick return for a touchdown. Lucas put together a stellar freshman season with the Indiana Hoosiers as he slowly settled in as the teams primary kick returner while also making some plays at running back. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. So, the moral to that story is that teams should push the envelop at the position, and I have two clubs doing just that in this mock draft. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fanrankings_com-box-3','ezslot_2',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-box-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'fanrankings_com-box-3','ezslot_3',122,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-box-3-0_1'); .box-3-multi-122{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}One of those dynamic plays that is one of the most electric plays that can happen on the football field is a kick return for a touchdown or a big return that sets up an easy scoring drive. in the country while averaging 25.7 yards per kick return. / 194 lbs. Justin Coleman: $152,500. Over half of his 2020 attempts resulted in fair catches, while he averaged 47.2 yards per punt. Wake Forest senior Nick Sciba is one of the most statistically impressive kickers in the 2022 NFL Draft class. NFL.com Draft Grade: 5.93. Duvernay, one of five players to have a kick return TD this season, took the opening kickoff to the house during a Week 2 thriller against the Miami Dolphins. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. 2. Sr Murphy bench-presses 405 pounds, power-cleans 335 and deadlifts 505. As a junior in 2022, he had a modest 611 yards for an average of 13.3 yards per catch, with 2 TDs . 2023 NFL combine: 5 freak workouts we want to see, Joe Schoen takeaways: Separation over size, Leonard Williams, much more, Lets dive into what the Giants GM talked about Tuesday once the topic turned away from Daniel Jones, Giants news, 3/1:Schoen speaks, Kenny Golladay going, more headlines, Arkansas LB Drew Sanders admits he is pretty raw, but he is also plenty talented. He went 14 of 14 on field goals while booming all 84 of his extra points through the uprights. Although Berrios lacked a consistent role on a Jets offense that struggled to throw the ball all season, the fourth-year wideout was able to find a groove on special teams, where he excelled from start to finish. After two return touchdowns (and the second-highest grade among return specialists) as a rookie, Lockett continues to give the Seahawks return game an explosive threat in his sophomore year. The Vikings pulled off the biggest comeback in NFL history last week, but the Next Gen Stats analytics team says it wasn't the most improbable comeback of the season. . While he hasnt been as daring as a year ago fair catching more punts (13) than hes returned (12), his average on the punts hes returned has been significantly higher, on the back of returns of 13, 15, 22 and 62 yards so far. Gonzalez has good size and is arguably the top cornerback in this class. You guessed it! Yet, when it was, Will Reichard was as reliable as they come. 6'4" I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. Return Yards Over Expected (RYOE): How many yards did a returner gain relative to the space around them when they established possession? / 185 lbs. He succeeded, and in a shortened 2020 season, displayed consistency with a 47.2 punt average. At the quarter mark of the 2022 NFL season, the Next Gen Stats analytics team ranks the top 10 defensive lines. Ohio State Gabe Jackson will be 32 by the start of next season and both he and Damien Lewis are entering the final year of their deals. For an optimal experience please rotate your device to portrait mode. . Jr The draft concluded with rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 30. All Rights Reserved. / 175 lbs. His speed has translated well to the gridiron thus far he averaged 33.4 yards per kick return in 2021 and eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in 2022. Achane who topped the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career as a running back also was as good as any kick returner in college football despite only returning nine total kicks this season. Gannon led one of the most lethal defensive lines in the league last season in Philly and Carter could be one of the main pieces as he tries to create another in Arizona. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Back in 2017, the Chiefs swung for the fences and hit a home run by trading multiple picks (including two first-rounders) to get to No. Witherspoon addresses a big need for the Commanders with Kendall Fuller entering the final year of his contract. Rogers finished the season ranked 13th in the country while averaging 25.7 yards per kick return. Sr Top 10 NFL Punt Returners 10. Gambling problem? Texas Tech Evan Engram is set to hit free agency, which could leave Jacksonville with a hole at tight end. The Panthers miss out on the QB rush in this mock, but do help out whoever will be under center for them in 2023 by continuing to bolster the offensive line. In spelling Landry, hes been all-around solid as both a kick and punt returner, averaging 24.2 yards per kick return and 11.7 yards per punt return, with no fumbles so far. Over the last three years of his Georgia career, Camarda has averaged 46.8, 46.6, and 46.7 yards per punt. They've got to be quick and have elite awareness, lest they muff a punt. CB Marcus Jones, Houston Jones won the Paul. Detroit made its move for the future with Richardson and comes back around to build on one of its strengths by taking a pass rusher to complement Aidan Hutchinson. Top Kick Returners in 2022 NFL Draft Here are some of the top return prospects in the NFL Draft, listed in predicted draft order. / 275 lbs. Top quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft include Sam Howell, Malik Willis. One of those kick returners who has been a pure shot of adrenaline for his team while having the ability to take a kick back from a touchdown is the Indiana Hoosiers freshman kick returner and running back Jaylin Lucas. / 200 lbs. Soph Who's the more explosive ball-carrier, Justin Fields or Lamar Jackson? That's especially true when you consider that Allen will be 31 by the start of next season and L.A. could clear $14.8 million by releasing him. For example, his 47-yard punt return during the last two minutes of the Raiders game against the Ravens set up the winning touchdown in a 28-27 road win. Safeties play a critical role in today's NFL. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. The Best Wide Receivers Of 2022 #22 of 44 on The Best Kick Returners Of 2022 Photo: las vegas raiders / instagram 36 3 votes Keelan Cole Keelan Lawrence Cole Sr. (born April 20, 1993) is an American football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). His season has been a collection of solid returns, averaging 24.8 as a kickoff returner and 12.1 as a punt returner, with the occasional big play sprinkled in. By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. While there's a case to be made for Seattle to go with a quarterback here, it feels more likely Pete Carroll and the organization does figure out an extension with Geno Smith, kicking that need down the road a bit. / 218 lbs. 11 overall as . NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. The Ravens will surely miss Duvernay's speed -- both on offense and special teams -- when they face the Bengals on Sunday night. Davis finished the season returning 29 kicks for 575 yards while also adding 268 punt return yards and 531 receiving yards.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-box-4','ezslot_5',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-box-4-0'); While all eyes were Robinsons Longhorn teammate Bijan Robinson, the latter of the Robinsons ranked among the best kick returners in College Football. As you start to look around at the best kick returners in College Football one player that stands out is Milan Tucker. The NFL combine on-field workouts begin Thursday. The Florida product is widely looked at as the best interior lineman in this draft and that just so happens to be one of the team's biggest needs. Soph On punt returns, Carter's success rate -- the proportion of returns with positive yards over expected -- was 69 percent, the highest in the league among all players with at least five attempts. As the league works to determine the optimal rule structure for special teams, there are players working through and around these rules to give their clubs substantial value as returners. 6'5" After all, he only made 76.9 percent of his field-goal attempts. Want to do your own mock draft. Turk fought to return to the Sun Devils, citing the global situation as having impacted his opportunity to be drafted. Oliver Hodgkinson is an NFL Draft Analyst for Pro Football Network. Jr Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 6'2" NFL teams that do not have a franchise quarterback on the roster are chasing one. Hyatt is the 2022 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner and a potential first-round target for the Giants. The outcome of any football game is determined by many different plays that take place in the game while the momentum can flip with one dynamic play. The rest of the punters on this list were over 40 percent. A former three-star recruit and the second-ranked punter in the 2018 recruiting class, Jake Camarda won the Georgia punting job as a freshman and has held on to it ever since. 1 corner. Please disable your ad blocker to view the video content. Achane is known for a 96-yard kick return against Alabama, during which he reached a top speed of 22.2 miles per hour. Although Hutchinson retained the No. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Before the 2022 college football season began, Jordan Addison and Jaxon Smith-Njigba were viewed as the two best wide receiver prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. Porter gives them a physical corner who Bill Belichick should have a field day with. Robinson, who was used in a limited role on the offensive side of the ball, was a key player in the teams special teams success as the teams primary kick returner.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-banner-1-0'); The Longhorns returner finished the season with 403 return yards on 16 total kick returns while also adding three touchdown catches and even one punt return for a touchdown. In all Rogers finished the season returning 17 kicks for 437 yards including one kick returned for a 100-yard touchdown.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_6',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); In at number eight on the Top 10 College Football Kick Returners 2023 Rankings list is the Florida Gators freshman running back and talented kick returner Trevor Etienne. In at number 10 on the list of the Top 10 College Football Kick Returners 2023 Rankings list is the Arkansas State Red Wolves running back and kick returner Johnnie Lang.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); While the Arkansas State Red Wolves might not get the National media attention that the top tier schools receive, it doesnt take anything away from Lang who returned 37 kicks this past season for 886 yards to go along with one 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.