Now, despite my unbridled optimism and fan-boy crush, I dont for a second think that Seattle will use the #9 pick on Ahmad Gardner. a star center at Virginia including being named a Rimington Award finalist and second-team All-American by multiple outlets yet only receiving a Day Three NFL Draft grade, Oluwatimi opted to transfer to Michigan for a fifth season. Take, for example, this 84-yard house call against the Packers on Christmas Day. This Etienne run looked like a simple inside handoff, but his speed and elusiveness turned what could have been a 3-yard gain into a 62-yard score. Landing at number four on the Top 10 NFL Punt Returners 2021-22 rankings list is the New York Jets punt returner and wide receiver Braxton Berrios. Over those 21 total punt returns, Raymond also finished 4. in punt return yards per return averaging 11.2 yards per return. @DalvinCook goes 81 YARDS!!! For that reason, you probably want to focus on guys that have an offensive role AND return kicks/punts. If Gardner IS on the board at #9, I pray that John Schneider and Pete Carroll shove the Commissioner out of the way as they rush to the podium and scream out Gardners name before breaking into a choreographed dance number. He was named third-team All-Big Ten, then recorded 11 receptions, 202 yards and two touchdowns in Michigans two postseason games. Bell managed to be Michigans leading receiver in three separate seasons (2019, 2020, 2022) for three different quarterbacks. 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Lions snag Anthony Richardson early in first round; Colts trade up to No. Odds & lines subject to change. The 2022 NFL draft has pass-rushers and O-linemen at the top of the board. That, along with his 852 total kick return yards (3rd in the NFL), earned him first-team All-Pro honors as a kick returner. He isnt undersized at 6-foot-3 and 307 pounds, but Oluwatimi doesnt come across as someone with eye-popping athleticism or length. The top 10's biggest surprise came from the 36-year-old Jackson, who reemerged with the Ravens for several weeks midway through the season. His passer rating against was 63.3 in 2020 and 60.4 in 2021. Unlike fellow defensive lineman Mazi Smith, not a ton is known about Morriss testing numbers, so that will be a major areato watch from Indianapolis. Size (5-foot-10, 172 pounds), strength and length are limitations for him, but every play-caller wants an athlete like this. In his first season with the Detroit Lions in 2021, Kalif Raymond took over the primary role as the teams leading punt returner. Filling in place of 2021 stars Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo, Morris was a strong replacement. View Ranking History 2/25/23: Baringer averaged 49 yards per punt in 2022. Kene Nwangwu -Hes been quite impressive on special teams, running two kicks back for touchdowns last season. The reigning Fred Biletnikoff Award winner, Jalin Hyatt burst onto the scene with the Tennessee Volunteers in 2022. With the 2022 NFL season now officially in the books, all eyes turn toward the 2023 NFL Draft. Although Hutchinson retained the No. Michael Jackson Sr.: $0. Reed, is now on the New York Jets roster, having signed a 3-year, $33M deal with them in free agency. DEVIN DUVERNAY RETURNS THE OPENING KICKOFF! With all that said, Quentin Johnston is the best wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft. Of note, all ages for the 2023 wide receiver prospects are for Week 1 of next season. In his career, according to Pro Football Focus, Turner allowed 59 completions on 130 targets, for 675 yards (5.2 per attempt) and four touchdowns to three interceptions good for a passer efficiency rating of pst 94.5 and an NFL passer rating of 62.2. ANY of them could be cut (or traded) at an time with very little cost to the Seahawks. Especially not after Gardner came in at #2 on The Leggy 100. 1 / 10 (10) Jerry Azumah (2001-05) Azumah was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2003 after leading the NFL with a 29.0-yard kickoff return average and two touchdowns. 2022 Nfl Draft Kick Returners. In that league guys who returned both last year, like. Theres very little guesswork to Moodys game thanks to his sample size, and outside of currently active NFL kickers, it would be difficult to find a more consistent kicker on attempts inside 45 yards in the world right now. But beyond the positional obstacle, Robbins yards per punt average of 42.3 yards wont jump off the page to NFL scouts, and actually ranked 69th in the country last season. Obviously, being a punter may end up being the biggest reason he wont be taken in the NFL Draft. Duvernay finished last season tied with Khalil Herbert for 7th in the NFL in average kick return yards per return with 24.1 per return. Same with his 3-cone drill, and a shuttle run. The former Clemson Tigers wide receiver has been busy over the past two seasons as the Pittsburgh Steelers primary returner both on punts and on kickoffs.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); During the 2021 NFL schedule, Ray-Ray McCloud led all punt returners with 38 total punts while recording an NFL high 367 punt return yards. And, for a human interest angle, heres a video that talks about his primary off-field interest (aka The Artist Known as Elliot.J). 1. And, as mentioned in the intro, only Tre Brown is signed beyond this season. KEN IS THE TRUTH! Hardman finished the season with only 13 total punt returns but managed to average 12.1 yards per return and 157 total punt returns. Known in the specialist world for his high-level hang time and placement punting abilities, Robbins would be attractive to teams who would prefer a punt five yards shorter but with a lower possibility of a return. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); One guy who has the speed and electric play making ability to rank much higher on this list is Mecole Hardman of the Kansas City Chiefs. The one simple reason the Seahawks will retain Geno Smith. But a name has emerged in camp as a threat to both -, . Jets fans will hope that "Breece Lightning" is able to get back to his electrifying best when he makes his eventual return to the field. He made the Pro Bowl last year as a return man. Kevin Hanson is contributing mock drafts and position rankings to The MMQB during the 2022 NFL draft season. How would you rank these Punt Returners going into the 2022-2023 NFL season? Duvernay got his team off to the perfect start in Week 2 with a 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Sign up for the Vols Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Carter finished ranked 2nd in the NFL behind just Andre Roberts in return yards posting a mark of 904 kick return yards while averaging 25.1 yards per return and one kickoff return for a touchdown in 36 kick returns. Also helping his cause is that Michigan has produced edge defenders at the NFL level at a markedly high rate. He appeared in three games, but only managed 43 receiving yards before sitting out the College Football Playoff to prepare for the pre-draft process. As a result, the league's effort to bring more notoriety to the institutions as a whole has increased. With the 2022 NFL season now officially in the books, all eyes turn toward the 2023 NFL Draft. He also forced 45 missed tackles in three seasons, including 18 last year. Kenneth Gainwell -Gainwell carved himself out a role on offense last year on pass catching downs and, after the Eagles traded away Jalen Reagor, his name has been thrown out there as the primary kick returner. Jones Jr. appeared in 23 games for the Vols from 2020-21, totaling 84 receptions, 1,087 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns and 31 rushing yards. It helped spark a massive comeback by Minnesota, culminating in a 33-30 overtime victory that included this memorable fourth-down catch by Justin Jefferson. One of the NFLs top dual threat returners is the New York Jets kick returner and punt returner Braxton Berrios. One of the best kick and punt returners in this years class, Jones took six back to the house during his time at Troy and Houston. Team(s): Jacksonville Jaguars. You're not gonna catch @ChristianW2017! AP MVP: Aaron Rodgers. Landing at number one is one of only two players in the NFL to record a punt return for a touchdown in 2021 in Jakeem Grant Sr. Grant Sr. who split time between the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears finished the season with 309 total punt return yards to go along with a 11.9 punt return average. Mayes loss will be to the benefit of an NFL team. Thanks to their work, they are now viewed as some of the best wide receiver prospects in 2023. For having athleticism that is genuinely unheard of for someone his size, Smith didnt actually wreak that much havoc over the past two seasons, finishing with 5.0 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and one forced fumble. s LOVE TO SCORE ON CHRISTMAS!! WebTop 10: Bears return specialists With talented kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson joining the Bears, senior writer Larry Mayer ranks the top 10 return specialists in franchise history. Downs is a YAC monster, using his footwork and separation ability to create an immediate target for the quarterback seconds after the snap. Duvernay finished last season tied with Khalil Herbert for 7. in the NFL in average kick return yards per return with 24.1 per return. Renfrow finished the 2021 NFL season with 31 total punt returns while averaging 9.8 yards per return. He can stretch the field, work underneath, go in motion to exploit mismatches and simply make plays in space. Unfortunately. DeAndre Carter -Carter also cracked 1,000 yards for Washington last year - the Chargers poached him to install him on both units. In his first three seasons combined, he had two receptions. It was the second of four straight games with an interception for Woolen, who was voted a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Still to this day is the fastest ball carrier speed ever recorded by @NextGenStats pic.twitter.com/fKl4Y8bsG5. But in 2022, he allowed just 11 pressures none sacks in 357 pass-blocking snaps. He eviscerated Utah, exploding for 347 receiving yards and three touchdowns. 1 receiver in early 2023 NFL Draft WR rankings, injuries ruined his junior season. For an optimal experience please rotate your device to portrait mode. : Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/FWWyCS9aA1 pic.twitter.com/YyTvuJVl87. Herbert finished the season tied for 7th in average kick return posting a mark of 24.1 yards per return. He was named second-team All-Big Ten for his efforts. Returners WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama, 5-9, 180 pounds Combination of speed and twitch isnt just dangerous on deep passes. Hes a stellar route-runner, who also knows how to go off-script and find ways to get open when a play breaks down. Rondale Moore -Right now Greg Dortch is looking like the return guy but Moore should get a couple of shots to return punts throughout the years. 2021 Stats: 525 Yards, 102 Long, 23.9 Yards Per And to Moodys credit, he was remarkably consistent for two seasons in a row. In terms of his NFL future, Bell made an impressive statement in 2022. 2022 NFL Kickoff Return Statistics The following are the 2022 NFL Kickoff Return statistical leaders, sorted by kickoff return yards. To rephrase what STUFR said, I dare you to watch these videos and NOT fall in love - not just with Marcus Jones, but with what he could do for the Seahawks. If you are receiving points for a player's return yards, make sure you target someone who returns kicks. Anytime you have a player who returns not one, but two kickoff returns for a touchdown in a season, it is easy to make a case for them as the best kick returner in the NFL. Latest on New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN As Addison lived up to his promise and Smith-Njigba was sidelined, players like Zay Flowers, Josh Downs and Jalin Hyatt delivered breakthrough seasons. Sam Howell | North Carolina 5. All speeds are listed in mph. Viewed as the No. Get him the football with a hint of open space and its over. Harris posted 199 punt return yards on 21 punt returns. One of my leagues, an industry league called Draft With Giants, actually has DOUBLE points for kick and punt return yards. Fan Rankings is a registered trademark of Fan Rankings LLC. Hunter Renfrow -Renfrow is the starting slot receiver and hes expected to return punts. Smith finished the season averaging 25.6 yards per kick return while also adding 13 additional returns of at least 20 plus yards. AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Garrett Wilson. Web2022 NFL Kick & Punt Returns. The 2022 NFL draft will take place April 28-30 in Paradise, Nevada. Second, he was wildly inconsistent with four 100-yard games and seven contests under 70 receiving yards. 1. https://volswire.usatoday.com/2022/01/24/2022-nfl-draft-former-tennessee-vols-velus-jones-jr-listed-as-a-top-returner/, Tennessee-Arkansas basketball postgame social media buzz, Vols' target Brandon Winton returns to Tennessee, How to watch Tennessee-Arkansas basketball game, Jordan Beck debuts in spring training with Rockies, MLB mock draft ahead of 2023 college baseball season, Karlyn Pickens named SEC Freshman of the Week, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. being traded, he could also factor in on offense a bit. He finished the season with 23 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 11 starts. In receiving drills, Bell also has a chance to show why he was basically every Michigan quarterbacks favorite receiver over the last four years. He also played special teams during his time at Michigan, and was willing to embrace the blocking side of the receiver position. Tre Brown was our 4th-round pick The Chargers are promoting former Vols' assistant to defensive coordinator. While hardly unathletic, a lack of testing times proving otherwise has Bell currently No. Interestingly, it was the shortest play in this top-10 list, and it was one of only two plays in the top 10 that didn't go for a touchdown. Landing at number 10 on the Top 10 NFL Punt Returners 2021-22 rankings list is the Cleveland Browns running back and punt returner Demetric Felton. Hell also likely get asked a bit about his openness to playing in different roles and positions in the NFLs variety of defensive schemes. Its also because of that frame and arm length that he can make some tough snags thank to his massive catch radius. Like right now. Tony Pollard- Tony Pollard has been a solid kick returner, even taking one back for a touchdown last year. 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