NFL Power Rankings: The Best Kick Returners

One of the most exciting things in the NFL is watching a player return a kick on special teams. A big-time return not only gets a team going, but also can get the home crowd more into the game as well.

Guys like Dante Hall and Devin Hester have made a living doing this in the league over the past 10 years.

Here are the best kick returners in the league today in no particular order.

I will also add that the criteria used for this list includes consistency in the league for several years, along with kick return average and amount of touchdowns.

Enjoy.

Honorable Mentions

LaRod Stephens-Howling, Danieal Manning, Antonio Cromartie, Ted Ginn.

No. 5: Devin Hester

Longtime Bears' kick returner Devin Hester is one of the most exciting players to watch in the NFL.

He has been fooling opposing special teams' units for years, while racking up TD after TD during that time.

Hester might be known more for his success as a punt returner, but he isn't too bad at returning kicks either.

Four kick-return touchdowns in six years isn't too shabby for the former University of Miami star.

No. 4: Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings

Harvin is one of the most electrifying return men that has ever played for the Vikings.

His speed and incredible vision has already turned him into one of the elite kick returners in the league today.

In just over two seasons, he has already scored four touchdowns off kick returns and is averaging a whopping 26 yards per return as well.

At just 23, he still has his whole career ahead of him. I expect him to be a special player for many years into the future.

No. 3: Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints

Sproles is very fun to watch because he is quick and one of the shiftiest kick returners in league history. You know that every time Sproles gets the ball in his hands, he's a highlight reel waiting to happen.

At just 5'6" he really uses his speed and quickness to elude defenders on a regular basis during returns.

For his career, he has averaged just over 25 yards per kick return and even brought two of them to the house in his six-plus seasons in the league.

No. 2: Leon Washington, Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks' kick returner Leon Washington has been a fixture in league for quite some time. The 29-year-old is in his sixth season in the league, having played for both the Jets and the Seahawks.

He has also managed to average 25.3 yards on kick returns and score seven TDs in the process. Washington isn't one of the fastest return men in the league but he might be one of the craftiest.

No. 1: Josh Cribbs, Cleveland Browns

Browns return man Josh Cribbs has been of the best at his position for a long time. In fact, he might turn out to be one of the best kick returners in league history.

In his career, Cribbs has averaged nearly 26 yards a return, and has scored eight touchdowns as well. Quite a career for someone was a little known player out of Kent State.