As we sit on the eve of the NFL regular season returning, teams are finalizing their plans to build out a championship roster.
Kick returners have never been more important, and with some of the league’s biggest players playing the position, special teams can be a true difference-maker.
While Corarrelle Patterson has been terrorizing kickoff teams for years, he doesn’t come in at No. 1 on our list. It’s time to look ahead to the 2024 season and rank the top kick returners in the NFL.
2024 NFL Kick Returner Rankings
1) KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys
From All-USFL to NFL Pro Bowler in one season, KaVontae Turpin’s rise to the top of the NFL’s best kick returners has been a fascinating one.
Any time he touches the football, there is a chance Turpin can take it the distance. And with the new rules underway, Turpin has the opportunity to be even more dangerous in the return game.
2) Keisean Nixon, Green Bay Packers
It was close at the top of our list, but the Packers’ Keisean Nixon sits at No. 2 to start 2024.
Nixon is quick, confident, and knows how to break away when given the chance. He is a true game-breaker for a young Packers team loaded with talent across the roster.
3) Cordarrelle Patterson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Patterson has been doing this for a very long time. The veteran kick returner has been a nightmare for kickoff teams his entire career, and with the new rules in place, he has a chance to be even more effective.
While things are changing in the world of NFL special teams, one thing set to stay the same is Patterson going the distance.
4) Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
Young, fast, and dynamic — three perfect words to describe Marvin Mims Jr.
The Broncos’ playmaker has a chance to help his young quarterback in more ways than one this year, both on offense and in the return game.
5) Velus Jones Jr., Chicago Bears
One of the shining stars of “Hard Knocks,” Velus Jones Jr., has proven to be a jack of all trades for the Bears. From being a wide receiver to taking snaps as a running back, there isn’t much he can’t do.
However, where he is most dangerous is in the kick return game as he rounds out our top five.
6) Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints
On a team that already has a home run threat in Alvin Kamara, Rashid Shaheed brings the same type of ability to the return game for the Saints.
When Shaheed gets the ball in his hands, he is able to take off and change the complexion of a game.
7) Jamal Agnew, Free Agent
How Jamal Agnew is currently a free agent is a true mystery.
In a time where the NFL has never favored big-play ability on special teams more, Agnew brings rare talent to the table.
It’s early in the year, but expect his stint in free agency to be a short one.
8) Devin Duvernay, Jacksonville Jaguars
A true return specialist in every sense of the word, Devin Duvernay is a big play waiting to happen for the Jaguars.
Raw receiving ability aside, Duvernay is a true difference-maker on special teams.
9) DeeJay Dallas, Arizona Cardinals
DeeJay Dallas has been dangerous as a kick returner since Day 1, and he now joins a new team in Arizona after spending four years in Seattle. He’s unique in his body style and approach to special teams, but you can’t deny results.
10) Xavier Gipson, New York Jets
From UDFA to making the New York Jets, a huge reason for that was Xavier Gibson’s special teams ability.
Gipson exploded on the scene last year and now looks to be one of the 10 best kick returners in the NFL.
11) Raheem Blackshear, Carolina Panthers
Raheem Blackshear hasn’t had much production on offense as a running back, but he has made his presence felt in his three seasons as a kick returner.
In Blackshear, the Panthers have a young player who can find a way to make an even bigger impact for them than before with the new rules implemented.
12) Ray-Ray McCloud III, Atlanta Falcons
A veteran at this point, Ray-Ray McCloud III has carved out a nice NFL career by being a quality return man. He’s a weapon Atlanta can use as they ring in a new era of Falcons’ football.
13) Derius Davis, Los Angeles Chargers
Derius Davis is entering his second season in the NFL. Although he did not make much of an impact offensively last year, Davis heads into Year 2 looking to continue to be a special teams chess piece for a new-look Chargers team.
14) Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals
Like some of the players named before him, Greg Dortch is on the smaller side of the stature scale at only 5’7″.
However, it doesn’t stop Dortch from making a big impact on special teams.
As a unique weapon threat and special teams demon, Dortch is a wrinkle teams need to prepare for when playing the Cardinals.
15) Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots
The longtime Washington Commander is now in New England with the Patriots, looking to help usher in a new era of Belichick-less football.
This team is going to look noticeably different this year with the old coach’s departure, but what Belichick can appreciate is quality special teams play — something Antonio Gibson can help bring to the Pats.
16) Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Dynamic in many ways, Tyjae Spears will not only get more chances as a running back this year, but he will continue to get opportunities as a kick returner. Look for him to be a true weapon the Titans lean on in 2024.
17) Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans
With Joe Mixon in the fold in Houston, Dameon Pierce will see his traditional touches go down this year. However, he still can make his presence felt on special teams and, when given a chance, he has game-breaking ability.
18) Nyheim Hines, Cleveland Browns
Much like Patterson before him, Nyheim Hines has been creating problems for special teams units for years.
The veteran running back is so consistent, and when he gets a chance to touch the ball in the return game, kickoff units must be on alert.
19) Braxton Berrios, Miami Dolphins
Braxton Berrios is a unique playmaker. He’s smaller in size but shifty, quick, and has the ability to hit the open hole in a hurry.
Berrios fits in quite well with what the Dolphins look for in their playmakers.
20) Laviska Shenault Jr., Seattle Seahawks
Laviska Shenault Jr. can take off and score quickly. Although he hasn’t been the most reliable pass catcher throughout his career, his ability to make plays in the return game is hard to deny.
21) Pierre Strong Jr., Cleveland Browns
Whether it’s his teammate Hines or Pierre Strong Jr. himself, teams are going to struggle to kick the ball to the Browns kick returners.
It’s a one-two punch that is as solid as they come.
22) Kene Nwangwu, Free Agent
Currently a free agent, Kene Nwangu has enough kick return upside to expect a phone call sooner rather than later.
23) Ty Johnson, Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills’ offense will look much different this year as they search for their new offensive weapons. However, in the kick return game, they know they can look to Ty Johnson to bring juice.
24) DeAndre Carter, Chicago Bears
Whether it’s Jones or DeAndre Carter, the Bears are clearly emphasizing adding speed to all their units. Carter brings that ability to a special teams unit looking to set Caleb Williams and Co. up with good field position.
25) Marcus Jones, New England Patriots
A tandem with Gibson, New England will be looking to manufacture offense anywhere it can get it in a transition year.
Look for Marcus Jones and Gibson to try and make magic happen, setting up whoever is under center throughout the 2024 season.
26) Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars
Along with his teammate Duvernay, Tank Bigsby brings a dangerous pairing to a Jaguars special teams group that has a chance to be even better than some expect in 2024.
27) Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
2024 looks like a big opportunity for Justice Hill as he enters his sixth season in the NFL. The veteran has a chance to see more carries as he spells Derrick Henry on offense, but he can be a huge part of this Ravens team with his ability on special teams.
28) Craig Reynolds, Detroit Lions
One of Dan Campbell and the staff’s favorite players, Craig Reynolds embodies everything that it means to be a Detroit Lion — fast, physical, and a team player.
Reynolds will do whatever he can for his team to help them win, and the best way he can do that is with his return ability.
29) Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
Rico Dowdle is a sneaky good kick returner. While many focus on Turpin — and for good reason — Dowdle started his career on special teams and has a chance to show why in 2024.
There is a real chance Dowdle can be looked at as RB1 in Dallas, but with a committee approach, look for the team to try to get the ball in Dowdle’s hands any way they can.
30) Gunner Olszewski, New York Giants
The former Patriot is in New York looking to add juice to a Giants team lacking serious firepower.
The Giants are in an important year in 2024, and Olszewski has a chance to be a sneaky important piece of that group.
31) De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
One of the track stars better known as part of the Miami Dolphins’ offensive weapons, De’Von Achane has a chance to be an absolute game-wrecker with these new special teams rules.
Look for Achance to rise up this ranking as the season goes on.
32) Deven Thompkins, Free Agent
Another free agent who shouldn’t wait too long, Deven Thompkins has proven ability on special teams. When his number is called again, he may be able to hit the ground running with his new team.