Return specialists are among the most unheralded of all roles in pro football.
That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Over the last 25 years we’ve seen a dramatic decrease in kickoff returns.
25 years ago over 90% of kickoffs were returned. Last year, that number was under 30%.
Kickers with stronger legs would just kick it out of the back of the end zone every time, and teams would avoid kickoff returns to reduce risk of injury.
This year, that’s set to change.
Kick Returner is a Need for Almost Every Team
Even though it isn’t being talked about, kick returner is a need for about half of all NFL teams in the 2024 NFL Draft.
This is because of a massive set of rule changes passed in the offseason.
In March, the NFL implemented a version of the XFL’s kickoff rule.
More Kickoff Returns are Coming
Last year, the XFL averaged 8.5 kick returns per game. That was 97% of kickoffs that got returned. The NFL averaged just 2.2.
Teams are now disadvantaged by kicking the ball out of the back of the end zone, and offensive teams could have more opportunities to crack a big return.
More kickoff returns means a bigger need for a dynamic return specialist.
While most teams feel confident they have a dynamic offensive player already on their roster to fill the role, being a return specialist requires its own set of skills. Teams will also need to decide how willing they are to risk special teams injuries for their best players.
Best Kick Return Specialists in the 2024 NFL Draft
Since a return specialist is a need for so many teams, it’s important that fans know which players are experienced and successful returners. Let’s take a look at 15 players who could make NFL rosters as kick returners.
Lideatrick Griffin, WR, Mississippi State
Name: Lideatrick “Tulu” Griffin
College: Mississippi State
Level: FBS
Primary Position: WR
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 181
40 Time: 4.43
Career Kick Return stats: 54 returns, 30.4 average, 2 touchdowns
Lideatrick Griffin was one of the most dangerous kick returners in all of college football, averaging over 30 yards per kick return in each of his first 3 seasons.
He was a 2nd-team All American as a return specialist in the 2022 season, and has the combination of speed, quickness, and vision to dominate as a return specialist at the next level.
Griffin was also a consistently good receiver for the Bulldogs, and would rank as a 7th-PFA player even if he didn’t return kicks.
Taymon Cooke, WR, North Carolina A&T
Name: Taymon Cooke
College: North Carolina A&T
Level: FCS
Primary Position: WR
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 184
40 Time: 4.55
Career Kick Return stats: 48 returns, 27.9 average, 4 touchdowns
Taymon Cooke didn’t see the field too often as a wide receiver, but he was an extremely dangerous return man. His career stats are gaudy, but they’re skewed down due to a poor freshman year.
Since 2021, Cooke has returned 35 punts for an average of 31.6 yards and FOUR touchdowns, including 3 this past season.
Cooke’s 4.55 40 time doesn’t jump off the page, but he looks faster on film. He has breakaway speed and takes good angles on his returns.
Along with his work as a return specialist, Cooke also is a very effective cover guy on special teams, with 13 career special teams tackles.
While you wouldn’t expect him to contribute as a WR, special teams coaches around the NFL would love to sign this guy after the draft.
Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Name: Xavier Legette
College: South Carolina
Level: FBS
Primary Position: WR
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 221
40 Time: 4.39
Career Kick Return stats: 29 returns, 26.4 average, 1 touchdown
Xavier Legette had a 1 year explosion as a receiver in his final season, but he broke out as a return man the year prior.
In 2022, Legette averaged 29.4 yards per return including a touchdown.
With the new kickoff rules drastically reducing the running start for defenders, having a return specialist with some size could be more beneficial than it used to be. Legette offers elite speed and much more strength than the other guys on the list.
Not to mention he’s worthy of a Day 2 pick based solely on his WR skills.
Keilan Robinson, RB, Texas
Robinson with the 95-yard TD kick return 🤘 @__keilan
📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/yex1TBt2lZ
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 25, 2023
Name: Keilan Robinson
College: Texas
Level: FBS
Primary Position: RB
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 191
40 Time: 4.42
Career Kick Return stats: 39 returns, 23.6 average, 1 touchdown
Keilan Robinson had less CAREER yards from scrimmage than his teammate Jonathan Brooks had rushing yards THIS YEAR.
And yet he still got an invite to the combine. He can thank his kick returning for that.
Robinson shows explosiveness and shiftiness in his returns, with production to match. He might be the most highly thought of kick returner in the draft.
He has the potential to develop as an offensive weapon as well, but only has 134 rushing yards this year as a backup running back.
Trey Vaval, CB, Minnesota State
Name: Trey Vaval
College: Minnesota State
Level: D2
Primary Position: CB
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 173
40 Time: 4.50
Career Kick Return stats: 79 returns, 24.6 average, 3 touchdowns
Trey Vaval played football and was a sprinter for D-II Minnesota State, and he showed that athletic ability on every kick return. Vaval has good top end speed that looks faster than the 4.50 he ran, with a ton of explosiveness in his first step.
He’s been the primary kick returner for his team each of his 4 years, and also excelled as a punt returner where he averaged 16 yards per return.
This year he tried to do too much on his returns, showing impressive change of direction ability but not always helping his team.
Vaval was also solid as a cornerback, but would have to fight for any opportunity based on his defensive ability alone. His special teams process is his path to the NFL.
Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
Name: Will Shipley
College: Clemson
Level: FBS
Primary Position: RB
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 206
40 Time: 4.45
Career Kick Return stats: 34 returns, 26.6 average
Will Shipley is one of the better running back prospects in the class, and he also shows his quickness and vision in the return game.
One of the problems with kick return stats is that 1 big return can totally skew your stats. Had Shipley had that 1 big return, he might statistically be the best in the class.
His 26.6 average is remarkable considering he never returned a kick for a touchdown, and you can see why he was so consistently dangerous when you watch on film.
Shipley sets up his blockers so well, and is incredibly quick. If he isn’t able to see the field as a running back, he’ll definitely have a home on special teams.
Jermaine Jackson, WR, Idaho
Name: Jermaine Jackson
College: Idaho
Level: FCS
Primary Position: WR
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 176
40 Time: 4.57
Career Kick Return stats: 21 returns, 30.4 average, 1 touchdown
It took Jermaine Jackson a couple years to really get going, but once he did he never slowed down.
After exploding for 1000+ receiving yards and returning 1 of his 3 kick returns for a touchdown in 2022, Jackson turned himself into one of the best kick and punt returners in the nation in 2023.
His 30.4 career return average is one of the best in the class, and it doesn’t even factor in his 16+ career punt return average and three touchdowns.
Jackson is undersized and his 40 time is nothing special, but he is a born football player. He has impressive instincts, quickness, and way better contact balance than you’d expect from someone of his size.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, Purdue
Name: Tyrone Tracy
College: Purdue
Level: FBS
Primary Position: RB
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 209
40 Time: 4.48
Career Kick Return stats: 17 returns, 25.5 average, 1 touchdown
Tyrone Tracy had a wild career path that included a mid-2022 position switch from WR to a RB/KR.
After returning just 1 kick in his first 5 seasons, Tracy got the opportunity for 16 returns this past year which included a touchdown.
Tracy’s playstyle is perfect for a return specialist thanks to his vision, quickness, and hands.
Terrell Vaughn, WR, Utah State
Name: Terrell Vaughn
College: Utah State
Level: FBS
Primary Position: WR
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 170
40 Time: 4.51
Career Kick Return stats: 28 returns, 26.1 average, 1 touchdown
Terrell Vaughn is an undersized receiver who dominated as a receiver and kick returner in his 2 year Utah State career.
Vaughn exceeded the 25 yard kick return average in both years, while also collecting 933 yards as a receiver in 2023.
Vaughn is very quick with decent speed and explosiveness, while being able to sneak into small gaps in coverage.
Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire
Name: Dylan Laube
College: New Hampshire
Level: FCS
Primary Position: RB
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 206
40 Time: 4.54
Career Kick Return stats: 90 returns, 24.5 average, 2 touchdowns
Laube is a pretty well known commodity as a change-of-pace running back, but he’s also a dangerous return man who averaged over 30 yards per kick return in 2023.
Just as you see on offense, Laube has really nice contact balance, quickness, vision, and hands. He’s a hard nosed player with enough athleticism to translate it to the NFL.
Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State
Anthony Gould just made some money with this punt return TD💰🦫@BeaverFootball
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 2, 2024
Name: Anthony Gould
College: Oregon State
Level: FBS
Primary Position: WR
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 174
40 Time: 4.39
Career Kick Return stats: 1 return, 22 yards
Anthony Gould wasn’t asked to return kicks in college, but he was arguably the best punt returner in the nation.
Gould averaged an impressive 16 yards per punt return in his career, with 2 touchdowns in 2022.
While returning kicks and returning punts aren’t the same skill, Gould has all the traits you look for in a great return man. He also saw significant improvement as a receiver throughout his career.
Gould doubled down on his return ability with a punt return touchdown in the East-West shrine game.
Luke Skokna, RB, North Dakota
Name: Luke Skokna
College: North Dakota
Level: FCS
Primary Position: RB
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 170
40 Time: 4.44
Career Kick Return stats: 36 returns, 28.5 average, 1 touchdown
Luke Skokna is a really intriguing return specialist who will need to fight for a 90 man roster spot, but could find his way onto a 53 man roster thanks to his return ability.
He’s really an interesting player because he never got many opportunities, even at the FCS level. He wasn’t the sole kick returner, he barely eclipsed 1000 career rushing yards, and doesn’t exactly look the part.
But every time he touches the ball on special teams, he’s lightning.
Skokna is one of the 10 fastest running backs in the entire class, having clocked a verified 4.44 40 yard dash at his pro day.
Skokna would be the definition of a return SPECIALIST, because you wouldn’t expect to see him in the game on offense.
Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M
Name: Ainias Smith
College: Texas A&M
Level: FBS
Primary Position: WR
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 190
40 Time: 4.55
Career Kick Return stats: 20 returns, 18.0 average
Ainias Smith was a threat throughout his 5 year career with Texas A&M, mostly showing it as an offensive weapon and a punt returner.
Despite limited kickoff return experience and success, he averaged 14.3 yards per punt return this past season and his offensive tape screams “return man”.
Smith saw his stock fall a bit following the Senior Bowl, combine, and pro days, but his tape is better than he’s looked these past couple months.
Ian Wheeler, RB, Howard
Name: Ian Wheeler
College: Howard
Level: FCS
Primary Position: RB
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 203
40 Time: 4.58
Career Kick Return stats: 52 returns, 25.4 average, 3 touchdowns
Ian Wheeler is a special teams ace with testing numbers that are plenty good enough to see some time at running back.
The 203 pound back has a good frame and was very efficient offensively in his career despite limited touches even at the FCS level.
Still, his special teams ability stands out. Wheeler returned a kick for a touchdown in each of his past 3 seasons, and was a consistent threat in special teams coverage as well.
His ability to do a little bit of everything as a returner and even on offense should get him an opportunity as an undrafted free agent.
Shedro Louis, RB, Tulane
Name: Shedro Louis
College: Tulane
Level: FBS
Primary Position: RB
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 166
40 Time: 4.51
Career Kick Return stats: 97 returns, 25.2 average, 3 touchdowns
Shedro Louis is a multiple time all-conference returner who spent 5 years as a primary kick returner for Liberty and Tulane.
He’s returned a remarkable 97 kickoffs in his career, and made his statement right away as a true freshman in 2019 that you should avoid kicking it to him.
Teams didn’t listen to that statement enough, because Louis kept showcasing his speed and agility throughout his career.
While he didn’t get many offensive opportunities after transferring to Tulane, his kick return ability is among the best in the class.
Devron Harper, WR, Mercer
Name: Devron Harper
College: Mercer
Level: FCS
Primary Position: WR
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 160
40 Time: 4.59
Career Kick Return stats: 55 returns, 24.5 average, 1 touchdown
Dev Harper is an undersized gadget player on offense who really made a name for himself on special teams.
Harper was one of the best kick returners in college football in 2022, and one of the best punt returners in college football in 2023.
He plays with very high energy and is electric with the ball in his hands.
Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville
Name: Isaac Guerendo
College: Louisville
Level: FBS
Primary Position: RB
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 223
40 Time: 4.33
Career Kick Return stats: 31 returns, 23.0 average
Isaac Guerendo doesn’t have as much wiggle or production as some of the other guys on this list, but his potential with the new rules is very high.
Guerendo had as impressive of a combine performance as anyone, putting up a 4.33 40, 41.5” vertical, and 129” broad jump as a big 221 pound back.
His traits will get him drafted as a running back, but he will also provide a unique option as a kick returner.
Phillip Brooks, WR, Kansas State
Name: Phillip Brooks
College: Kansas State
Level: FBS
Primary Position: WR
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 175
40 Time: 4.50
Career Kick Return stats: 44 returns, 19.3 average
Phillip Brooks would face an uphill battle to make an NFL roster if he only played WR, but he’s been returning both punts and kicks for Kansas State since 2019.
Known more as one of the best punt returners in the nation (4 career return TDs), Brooks is also decent as a kick returner.
He shows the same vision, consistency, and evasiveness as he does in the punt game.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Name: Xavier Worthy
College: Texas
Level: FBS
Primary Position: WR
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 164
40 Time: 4.21
Career Kick Return stats: 2 returns, 16.5 average
You’ll know Xavier Worthy for setting the 40 yard dash record at the combine, but he’s also shown special teams ability as a punt returner.
On top of being one of the best receivers in college football throughout his 3 year career, Worthy also put up a career 14.1 punt return average, including a touchdown.
NFL scouts expect Worthy’s speed to translate very well to kickoff returning new rules.
Smoke Harris, WR, Louisiana Tech
Name: Smoke Harris
College: Louisiana Tech
Level: FBS
Primary Position: WR
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 178
40 Time: 4.60
Career Kick Return stats: 41 returns, 24.2 average
Smoke Harris is an extremely experienced football player who played in 60 games throughout his 6 year career.
He was a consistent offensive threat and a good route runner, but his size and average speed isn’t likely to get him many looks for offense in the NFL.
His punt returning and kick returning experience will though.
Harris has a low center of gravity and set up blockers well, with a very quick first step to avoid defenders in the open field.
Smoke is quicker than he is fast and plays much faster than 4.60.
Barry Elliott, WR, Fayetteville State
Name: Barry Elliott
College: Fayetteville State
Level: D2
Primary Position: WR
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 166
40 Time: 4.47
Career Kick Return stats: 24 returns, 26.8 average, 2 touchdowns
Barry Elliott had a down season as a WR this past year, but he was the most prolific D2 return man in the nation. His 35.3 yards per return led the nation, which included 2 touchdowns in just 14 returns.
Elliott has legitimate speed that’ll translate to the next level, and he seemed to have more in the tank once he sees green grass ahead of him.
Kenny Logan, S, Kansas
Name: Kenny Logan
College: Kansas
Level: FBS
Primary Position: S
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 209
40 Time: 4.68
Career Kick Return stats: 61 returns, 23.6 average, 1 touchdown
It’s rare to see a safety return kicks, but that’s what Kenny Logan did for his entire 5 year career with the Jayhawks.
Along with recording 383 career tackles and 6 interceptions in his defensive career, Logan was a consistent return threat who received some All-America attention back in 2020.
The athletic traits don’t scream “NFL return man”, but he has plenty of quickness, vision, and balance to be a returner at the next level.
Jha’Quan Jackson, WR, Tulane
Name: Jha’Quan Jackson
College: Tulane
Level: FBS
Primary Position: WR
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 188
40 Time: 4.42
Career Kick Return stats: 35 returns, 22.1 average
Jha’Quan Jackson was an all-conference caliber punt returner for multiple years, with most of his kick returns coming in 2021.
He was remarkably consistent, averaging 22.0-22.2 yards per return in each of his 3 seasons where he returned at least 5 kicks.
Jackson is good with the ball in his hands and is able to turn corners very fast.
He’s currently expected to be a mid-to-late day 3 pick, and special teams would certainly help his chances of making a roster.
Jaelen Gill, WR, Fresno State
Name: Jaelen Gill
College: Fresno State
Level: FBS
Primary Position: WR
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 189
40 Time: 4.51
Career Kick Return stats: 53 returns, 20.7 average
Jaelen Gill had a long 6 year career that began at Ohio State, saw a small breakout at Boston College, and finished with his strongest season yet while playing for Fresno State.
Gill plays a lot of special teams roles, including being a kick returner and punt returner.
He has good vision and patience as a return man and rarely makes mistakes.
Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri
Name: Kris Abrams-Draine
College: Missouri
Level: FBS
Primary Position: CB
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 179
40 Time: 4.44
Career Kick Return stats: 29 returns, 20.8 average, 1 touchdown
Many scouts might forget that Abrams-Draine originally got attention as a return man back in 2021.
As he continued to prove he was a defensive asset, Missouri mostly shut him down as a return man to avoid injuries. He was only used sparingly these past two years.
In 2021 you can see a return specialist with good feel and explosiveness, plus plenty of ball skills despite being a defensive player.
Abrams-Draine is expected to be a day 2 player at corner, but could get a chance at special teams early in his career.
When Do Kick Returners Get Drafted?
Traditionally, players who are expected to only play a kick returner role aren’t drafted until late day 3 (round 6 or 7).
We’ll have to see if that changes this year with the upcoming rule changes.
How Kick Returners Were Ranked
It’s important to note that we ranked our top kick returners in the 2024 NFL Draft based solely on their kick return ability and potential. Their ability to play offense or defense was not considered.
This means we looked primarily at these traits:
- Explosiveness
- Vision
- Contact balance
- Consistency
- Hands
- Physical / athletic traits
- Production
One of the most challenging yet fun parts of scouting return specialist prospects is that they can come from any level of college football and have varying levels of experience returning kickoffs.
If you feel like we’ve missed someone, please let us know in a comment below! There are probably plenty of good kick returners out there that we didn’t mention.
