NFL Yearly Leaders - Punt Returns

The following is a list of the NFL yearly punt return leaders ranked by punt returns. Statistics are current through the 2017 NFL season and include stats accrued in NFL, AFL and APFA games.

      Punt Returns
Year Player Team Num Yds Avg Lg TD
2017 A. Erickson Cin 39 278 7.1 29 0
  M. Sherels Min 39 372 9.5 46 0
2016 T. Austin LA 44 364 8.3 47 0
2015 J. Kerley NYJ 48 411 8.6 58 0
2014 D. Sproles Phi 39 506 13.0 82t 2
2013 D. McCluster KC 58 686 11.8 89t 2
2012 P. Peterson Ari 51 426 8.4 26 0
2011 B. Tate Cin 51 543 10.6 56t 1
2010 T. Williams GB 41 326 8.0 52 0
2009 Q. Cosby Cin 40 474 11.8 60 0
2008 D. Jackson Phi 50 440 8.8 68t 1
2007 N. Burleson Sea 58 658 11.3 94t 1
2006 D. Hester Chi 47 600 12.8 84t 3
2005 M. Jones TB 51 492 9.6 31 0
2004 B. Sams Bal 55 575 10.5 78t 2
2003 L. Brightful Bal 45 351 7.8 44 0
  A. Randle El Pit 45 542 12.0 84t 2
2002 S. Smith Car 55 470 8.5 87t 2
2001 J. Lewis Bal 42 519 12.4 62 0
2000 D. Mason Ten 51 662 13.0 69t 1
1999 J. Lewis Bal 57 452 7.9 33 0
1998 R. McQuarters SF 47 406 8.6 72t 1
1997 T. Kinchen Atl 52 446 8.6 38 0
1996 D. Howard GB 58 875 15.1 92t 3
1995 T. Kinchen Stl 53 416 7.8 27 0
1994 D. Brewer Ind 42 339 8.1 75t 1
1993 P. Robinson Cin 43 305 7.1 36 0
1992 E. Metcalf Cle 44 429 9.8 75t 1
1991 R. Harris Phi 53 416 7.8 40 0
1990 D. Meggett NYG 43 467 10.9 68t 1
1989 G. McNeil Cle 49 496 10.1 49 0
1988 L. Lewis Min 58 550 9.5 64 0
1987 V. Sikahema Stl 44 550 12.5 76t 1
1986 L. Barnes Chi 57 482 8.5 35 0
1985 F. Walker LAR 62 692 11.2 32 0
1984 J. Fisher Chi 57 492 8.6 28 0
1983 G. Pruitt LAR 58 666 11.5 97t 1
1982 L. Bright NYG 37 325 8.8 33 0
1981 W. Henry Phi 54 396 7.3 52 0
1980 D. Reece TB 57 313 5.5 19 0
1979 D. Reece TB 70 431 6.2 17 0
1978 J. Wallace LA 52 618 11.9 58 0
1977 E. Brown Was 57 452 7.9 43 0
1976 R. Lawrence Atl 54 372 6.9 24 0
1975 L. Jones Was 53 407 7.7 52t 1
1974 D. Walker Buf 43 384 8.9 52 0
1973 G. Atkinson Oak 41 336 8.2 63t 1
1972 B. Laird Bal 34 303 8.9 42 0
1971 B. Taylor SF 34 235 6.9 38 0
1970 A. Haymond LA 53 376 7.1 30 0
1969 J. LeVias (AFL) Hou 35 292 8.3 46 0
  C. West (NFL) Min 39 245 6.3 55 0
1968 G. Atkinson (AFL) Oak 36 490 13.6 86t 2
  R. Jefferson (NFL) Pit 28 274 9.8 80t 1
  C. Latourette (NFL) Stl 28 345 12.3 86t 1
1967 R. Bird (AFL) Oak 46 612 13.3 78 0
  D. Cunningham (NFL) SF 27 249 9.2 57 0
1966 R. Bird (AFL) Oak 37 323 8.7 42 0
  A. Haymond (NFL) Bal 40 347 8.7 64 0
1965 C. Gibson (AFL) Oak 31 357 11.5 58 1
  A. Haymond (NFL) Bal 41 403 9.8 55 0
1964 H. Clarke (AFL) Buf 33 317 9.6 53 1
  M. Renfro (NFL) Dal 32 418 13.1 69t 1
1963 C. Gibson (AFL) Oak 26 307 11.8 85 2
  T. Watkins (NFL) Det 32 399 12.5 90t 1
1962 R. Burton (AFL) Bos 21 122 5.8 22 0
  P. Studstill (NFL) Det 29 457 15.8 44 0
1961 F. Bruney (AFL) Bos 23 109 4.7 11 0
  J. Sample (NFL) Pit 26 283 10.9 55t 1
1960 A. Carmichael (AFL) Den 15 101 6.7 0 0
  B. Stits (NFL) NYG 18 166 9.2 38 0
1959 B. Stacy ChiC 29 281 9.7 74t 2
1958 C. Taseff Bal 29 196 6.8 33 0
1957 T. McDonald Phi 26 127 4.9 28 0
1956 C. Taseff Bal 27 233 8.6 90t 1
1955 B. Rechichar Bal 30 121 4.0 24 0
1954 C. Hanulak Cle 27 92 3.4 43 0
1953 E. Tunnell NYG 38 223 5.9 37 0
1952 B. Bawel Phi 34 261 7.7 52t 1
1951 E. Tunnell NYG 34 489 14.4 81t 3
1950 G. McAfee Chi 33 284 8.6 25 0