Ranking the NFL's Top 10 Return Specialists Entering 2015 Season

The role of specialists in the NFL has evolved as rules have changed in recent seasons. When a player is a masterful return man but offers nothing else to the team, his roster spot could be in danger. But return specialists can still offer great value in the limited chances they have.

The difference between an average and a great return man is massive. Of the top 30 return men, the median average punt return was 8.9 yards. The top average was 13.8. Those extra yards can be the difference between a field goal, a touchdown and no score on the drive.

By considering both punt return and kick return effectiveness, we’ve come up with the top-10 return specialists entering 2015. None of these players should be used as starters on offense or defense. Rather, their biggest value comes via special teams.

10. Benny Cunningham, St. Louis Rams

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With Tavon Austin handling punt returns, the St. Louis Rams used backup running back Benny Cunningham solely on kickoffs. Cunningham was surprisingly productive. He’ll have a chance to make the roster in 2015 because of his ability to create good field position.

On 35 kick return attempts, Cunningham averaged 27.5 yards a return. That was good for sixth in the NFL. His long of 75 yards was among the top 15 of all return men as well.

Without a punt return logged, Cunningham’s ceiling on this list is limited. It’ll be interesting to see whether he can stave off Austin as a kick returner this fall.

9. Josh Cribbs, Free Agent

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Once a premier return man, Josh Cribbs is a much more limited player now than before. The Indianapolis Colts took a flier on Cribbs in 2014, and he was productive enough to earn a spot on this list. The Colts did release Cribbs this past spring, though.

Cribbs’ value comes purely as a kick returner. He led the NFL with 32 yards per kick return attempted in 2014. His straight-line speed is his best asset left at 32 years old.

Cribbs saw a massive drop-off in punt return production. He had just 6.6 yards a return on 19 attempts. With numbers like that, he has no value as a punt returner anymore and should be considered a kick returner only.

8. Marcus Thigpen, Buffalo Bills

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What if I told you the NFL’s best punt returner in 2014 spent time on three different teams? This might not be shocking, as Marcus Thigpen did just that. It’s hard to earn a roster spot if a player offers nothing outside of special teams value.

Thigpen is worthy of a roster spot, though. On 16 punt returns, he led the NFL with a 13.8-yard average. It was the second time in three seasons that he averaged more than 12 yards a punt return.

Kick returns were productive for Thigpen as well. He had just 12 chances and averaged 23.8 yards a return. He’ll need to be a little bit better on kick returns to ensure his roster spot with the Bills in 2015.

7. Tavon Austin, St. Louis Rams

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St. Louis Rams former first-round pick Tavon Austin has had many issues as a receiver to this point in his career. Some of his issues are usage-related, but his route-running and playbook mastery can each be questioned. He just hasn’t lived up to his lofty draft status.

The Rams must be pleased with Austin’s improvement on punt returns, though. Austin fielded 33 punts in 2013 but only managed 280 yards and an 8.5-yard average. That includes his 98-yard touchdown.

2014 was much more effective. Austin had 35 returns for 391 yards. His 11.2-yard average was seventh in the NFL. Since St. Louis didn't give Austin the chance to be a kick returner last season, his biggest value as an NFL player right now is all about his punt return talent.

6. Ted Ginn Jr., Carolina Panthers

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Ted Ginn Jr.’s career as a receiver never really took off like his collegiate career once promised, but he has carved a career nonetheless. Ginn’s insane speed (4.38 40-yard dash, per NFLDraftScout.com) and vision have allowed him to be a plus return man for the last eight seasons. Even though he turned 30 years old this year, Ginn is still a good return man.

With only 26 punt returns in 2014, Ginn’s total yardage wasn’t overly impressive. But his average of 10.7 yards per return was ninth in the league. That is a major reason why the Carolina Panthers re-signed Ginn this offseason.

Ginn’s kick return ability slipped some in 2014. He averaged just 19 yards a return on 22 attempts last season. He must show big-play ability on kick returns this year, or else he’ll look more replaceable than ever before.

5. Dwayne Harris, Dallas Cowboys

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

For three seasons, Dallas Cowboys’ receiver Dwayne Harris has been a solid if unspectacular return man. He’s buried on a great depth chart of other receivers, which has put him in the position to be a standout special teams man. Harris deserves a ton of credit for carving out his role with the Cowboys.

Harris was an above-average punt and kick returner in 2014. His punt return average of 9.2 was above the league median. He also finished 10th in total punt return yards with 275.

Like his punt return total, Harris finished 10th in total kick return yards. His explosiveness on returns didn’t result in a return touchdown, but Harris’ consistency was among the best in the NFL.

4. Jeremy Ross, Detroit Lions

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Detroit Lions’ slot receiver and return specialist Jeremy Ross had his third quality season as a return man in 2014. Ross held down the full-time return role for Detroit and figures to once again be the top returner on the team again in 2015.

On punt returns, Ross didn’t have a standout average. He ranked 15th in the league with 8.9 yards per punt return. That’s actually the lowest total of his career, which is impressive since he’d be an upgrade for half the league.

Ross was an above-average kick returner in 2014. He didn’t have a touchdown return, but his 584 yards on just 41 attempts gave him a solid 25.4 average. There aren’t many more players with more production on both punt and kick returns in the league.

3. Jacoby Jones, San Diego Chargers

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Although San Diego Chargers receiver Jacoby Jones is a capable slot receiver, he’s at home when returning kicks. His long-striding style is unique, as most return men are small and quick. But Jones (6'4", 215 lbs) has shown great consistency as an elite return man.

He was one of six players to log a kick return touchdown in 2015. His 108-yard touchdown was the longest touchdown in NFL history and helped boost his average return number to 30.6. When Jones heads out of the end zone, chances are good that the Chargers will have solid starting position.

With a 9.2 yards-per-punt return average, Jones was above-average compared to the rest of the league. He did log 30 returns, which was sixth most. Altogether, Jones had the ninth most punt return yards in the league.

2. De’Anthony Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs

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As far as being an offensive playmaker in his rookie year, De’Anthony Thomas failed to live up to the hype. But he proved his worth on special teams. Thomas’ ability to work in space and accelerate through gaps helped him take advantage of tiny creases.

Thomas boasted a top-six punt return average on 34 punt returns last year. Only two other players in the NFL had more punt returns than Thomas. His ability to consistently gain yards on punts is highly valuable. He also had an 81-yard touchdown.

He didn’t have the same amount of opportunities as a kick returner, as Thomas registered just 14 kick returns. That doesn’t mean he was any less electric. Thomas averaged a whopping 30.6 yards on kick returns. Expect his role to continue growing on special teams in 2015.

1. Devin Hester, Atlanta Falcons

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

It’s impossible to talk about return specialists without beginning with Devin Hester. The Atlanta Falcons’ receiver has literally made a Hall of Fame-worthy career through his electric returns. Hester owns the NFL record for most return touchdowns in NFL history.

Hester continued his excellence in 2014. He had the second-highest punt return average in the league, with 13.3 yards per return. He was able to add in a 68-yard touchdown as well.

Unsurprisingly, Hester was great on kick returns as well. He led the NFL with 45 returns and 1,128 yards. His 25.1 average per attempt was 12th in the league, but he took more challenges to make the big return. That must be respected.

There’s no reason to think Hester will give up his throne in 2015. He’s still incredibly instinctive and fast. He makes so much happen out of very little unlike anyone else.

All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com.

Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. 

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