After 73% of kickoffs last season were touchbacks, the NFL decided to make major changes for 2024. This offseason, NFL owners passed a new kickoff rule with the intent of incentivizing more returns and, therefore, bring excitement back to special teams.
At PFN, we’ve already examined the best return option for every NFL team under the new rules. Today, however, we specifically look at the top choices for the AFC teams.
Who Is the Best Return Option for Each AFC Team?
With the new kickoff rules opening up endless possibilities, there are plenty of intriguing returner options to discuss in 2024. Let’s identify the best candidate for each AFC team.
Baltimore Ravens: Justice Hill
Deonte Harty showed explosive potential early in his NFL career, but he’s been limited in recent years. Justice Hill brings the perfect combination of size, explosiveness, and experience, which should give him the upper hand as Baltimore’s kick returner.
Buffalo Bills: Khalil Shakir
Khalil Shakir is likely due for an increased role at wide receiver in 2024, but he’ll likely be the Bills’ primary kick returner as well. Shakir has shown potential as a kick returner during his first two seasons with the Bills and could benefit from the rule changes that incentivize returns.
Cincinnati Bengals: Trayveon Williams
Trayveon Williams impressed last season as Cincinnati’s kick returner, averaging 24.2 yards per return — nearly a two-yard improvement over his rookie season average. Williams will have competition, though, as fellow running back Chase Brown could also push for the job.
Cleveland Browns: Nyheim Hines
Nyheim Hines is arguably the best kick returner in the NFL — which he put on display last season with Buffalo. Hines averaged 29.2 yards per kick return with the Bills, including two touchdown returns, and is the clear favorite to win the job in Cleveland.
Denver Broncos: Marvin Mims Jr.
Marvin Mims Jr. was one of the Broncos’ lone bright spots last season. The rookie showcased his game-breaking speed at both wide receiver and as a returner. He averaged 26.5 yards per kick return and ran one back for a touchdown, so he’s the obvious choice to handle these duties in 2024.
Houston Texans: Dameon Pierce
After a promising rookie season in 2022, Dameon Pierce disappointed at running back last year. However, he emerged as a potentially elite kick returner, making the most of seven total returns.
Pierce averaged an absurd 32.1 yards per return, including one 98-yard kickoff return for a score.
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Gould
While Josh Downs could be in the mix here, rookie WR Anthony Gould offers a ton of upside as a returner. Gould returned just one kickoff during his college career, but he was an elite punt returner, averaging 16.3 yards per return with two touchdowns. His game-breaking speed could prove to be a lethal weapon for the Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Devin Duvernay
Devin Duvernay flew under the radar as one of Jacksonville’s free agent signings this offseason. He showed elite potential as a kick returner while in Baltimore, especially early in his career.
Duvernay will likely benefit from the new kickoff rules and should be Jacksonville’s primary kick returner.
Kansas City Chiefs: Kadarius Toney
Although Kadarius Toney hasn’t returned any kickoffs in the NFL, he did in college. Thus, it’s possible he’ll get the opportunity to be Kansas City’s lead returner in 2024.
While many will want to see rookie WR Xavier Worthy returning kicks, Toney’s skill set is tailor-made for the new environment.
Las Vegas Raiders: Tre Tucker
Tre Tucker didn’t return any kickoffs for the Raiders as a rookie, but he could be the team’s top option this year. Tucker is a speedster who returned 67 total kickoffs in college at Cincinnati, averaging 24.9 yards per return with two return touchdowns.
Los Angeles Chargers: Derius Davis
Similar to Turpin for the Cowboys, Derius Davis is an undersized wide receiver with explosive ability as a returner. While he averaged just 22.0 yards per return during his rookie season, Davis showcased his explosiveness as a punt returner and should flourish in 2024.
Miami Dolphins: Braxton Berrios
Although Braxton Berrios’ WR play has been inconsistent throughout his NFL career, he’s established himself as a reliable returner.
Despite all of Miami’s speed on its roster, Berrios will likely be the team’s go-to returner this year due to his experience and consistency at the position. However, it’s worth noting that Dolphins special teams coordinator Danny Crossman recently said they haven’t ruled out anybody as a potential returner.
New England Patriots: Jalen Reagor
It’s no secret that Jalen Reagor has been a huge disappointment as a first-round wide receiver. However, he’s shown flashes as a kick returner throughout his career, especially during his first season with the Patriots in 2023. Reagor averaged 31.6 yards per kick return in New England, including a 98-yard touchdown.
New York Jets: Xavier Gipson
After signing with the Jets as an undrafted free agent last season, Xavier Gipson quickly became a fan favorite on “Hard Knocks.” But Gipson wasn’t just a television darling; he showed promise on the field, too.
Gipson made plays at both wide receiver and returner, averaging 23.2 yards per kick return with an epic 65-yard punt return touchdown to beat the Bills.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordarrelle Patterson
When the new NFL kickoff rules were announced, Cordarrelle Patterson was still available in free agency. The Steelers were then wise to sign one of the greatest kick returners of all time following the rule change.
Across his 11-year career, Patterson has averaged 29.3 yards per kick return with nine returned for touchdowns.
Tennessee Titans: Tyjae Spears
After an impressive rookie season, Tyjae Spears could be in line for a bigger workload at running back, but he’ll also likely be Tennessee’s primary kick returner in 2024. Spears returned kicks during his rookie season and averaged 20.8 yards per return.