By now it’s no secret that the NFL has completely revamped the rules for kickoffs. I’m not going to go into great detail on all the changes but if you need a refresher course you can find it here: https://operations.nfl.com/updates/football-ops/new-nfl-kickoff-rule/. The basics are that the rate of returned kicks is going to skyrocket. Touchdowns scored from NFL kick returners are almost certain to increase. How do we know that? The XFL kickoff rules are basically the same as what the NFL adopted. Therefore, we can look to the XFL to get a peek at what we might see this season in the NFL.
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XFL vs NFL Kick Returns
Last year, the NFL bottomed out with only 21.8-percent of kickoffs returned. Only four kickoffs were returned for TDs. This was a 30-year low. Contrast that to the XFL where 97-percent of kickoffs were returned. That’s nearly four times as many! Obviously, if a kickoff isn’t getting returned, it’s pretty hard to score a TD from it. It’s hard to gauge exactly how much additional TD scoring we might see on these returns as the alignment of the return and coverage teams is vastly different under these new rules. Additionally, the XFL, with 40 total games in the regular season, is a pretty small sample size from which to draw definitive conclusions. There is also likely a significant talent difference in both the players and the special teams coaches between the XFL and NFL.
This is potentially exciting news for the number of additional return TDs which might be generated as a result of the rules changes. And while it’s not relevant for the returner in most formats without scoring a TD, we’ll probably see a boost in overall scoring as more kick returns should lead to better field position and shorter fields for offenses. It could even have a secondary effect as shorter fields might lead to scoring in fewer plays. This would increase the total number of offensive possessions in a game.
Check Your League’s Scoring Settings
Check your league’s scoring to see how kick returns are handled. Many leagues will give credit to the individual player who scores a touchdown. However, not all contests will do so. FFPC and NFFC contests are among those which do give players credit for return TDs. Underdog does not. Armed with this information, it’s always good to know which players are likely to return punts and kickoffs. This can help you break ties when deciding who to roster for your final WR and/or RB slots. Therefore, without further preamble, here are some players that you might want to give a little extra consideration to drafting due to their history of returning kickoffs and/or punts.
Rashid Shaheed
Already going as the WR52 in FFPC Best Ball Tournament drafts, Shaheed is primed to potentially add a special teams score or two as he is the primary punt and kick returner for the Saints. With 45 punt returns and 32 kick returns over the past two seasons, Shaheed could potentially double that kick return total under the new rules. He’s already got a punt return for a TD. Therefore, it’s probably only a matter of time before he visits the end zone again on a kick return.
Marvin Mims
Mims is the WR74 in the FFPC world. He may already be seriously underdrafted just based on his expected offensive output as the starting slot WR (per Ourlads). If he retains the role he had last year as the punt returner and is one of the two players designated to receive kickoffs for the Broncos, he could seriously threaten to score additional TDs in the return game. Last year he housed a kickoff from 99 yards and had a punt return of 51 years to boot (yes of course that was an intentional pun).
Greg Dortch
The diminutive Cardinals WR has so far refused to go quietly into the dustbin of players who’ve had a minute (or more) of fantasy relevance. He’s not a starting WR as we head into 2024. However, he wasn’t a starter either of the past two years either but ended up making starts down the stretch. Therefore, he’s once again an occasional final-round pick. Dortch has recorded 26 and 29 returns as the primary punt returner the past two years. He also notched 11 and 17 kickoff returns under the old stifling kickoff rules. Dortch definitely has a place as a final round lottery ticket.
Cordarrelle Patterson
Rarely selected in drafts, perhaps it’s time to give Patterson a little more consideration in that final round. We already know Arthur Smith will get him involved in a handful of plays on offense. Additionally, he’s listed as the top kick returner by Ourlads. In case you haven’t noticed, the Steelers depth chart is woefully light on competent receivers. Therefore, it’s quite possible Patterson sees even more than just a handful of looks per game. He’s never been a punt returner. However, over the course of his career, Patterson has returned nine kickoffs for TDs. I’m willing to bet that with more opportunities to return kickoffs this year he can house at least one more to add to whatever he contributes on offense.
Xavier Gipson
Gipson has been a virtual no-show in FFPC drafts. His name has appeared only a handful of times. However, that might be a mistake. Right now, Ourlads is listing him as the starting slot WR. We often see WRs take their biggest jump between their first and second years. Gipson only has to beat out rookie Malachi Corley, and it’s not unusual for rookie WRs drafted outside the first two rounds to take a year or more to break into the starting lineup. Gipson is both the primary kickoff and punt returner. Additionally, he has already hit paydirt on a 65-yard punt return. I must say, I’ve never mixed him in as one of my late-round fliers until I researched this article. However, that’s about to change.
Other Names to Know
These are players to at least keep an eye on as training camps progress and preseason games give us more info. Antonio Gibson is now a Patriot. When he played for the Commanders, he returned kickoffs. He’s currently not expected to fill return duties. However, sometimes all it takes is a fumble to shake up the returner pecking order. Tank Dell was seen returning kickoffs with the second team in Houston.
Then there are the punt returners. All three of these players are expected to be the primary punt returner for their teams. Additionally, each of them is likely to have a more meaningful role on offense in 2024 than what they had in 2023. Brandon Powell is a good target as an NFL kick returner with the Vikings. Calvin Austin could have decent upside as a returner with the Steelers. Kalif Raymond could end up returning kicks with the Lions. This is enough to put them in my rotation for final-round players on whom to place a bet that they can crack my starting lineup at least a couple of times.
Khalil Shakir and More
Additionally, Khalil Shakir is listed as the primary kick returner and second-string punt returner for the Bills. Josh Downs currently holds those same roles for the Colts. Neither one of them has many returns in previous years, so I wouldn’t factor it into where you draft them yet. Nyheim Hines is listed as the primary kickoff and punt returner for the Browns. Therefore, if he looks like he will have a role on offense, he would become draftable.
Others listed as the first string kickoff returners by Ourlads: Justice Hill (BAL), Dameon Pierce (HOU),Tyjae Spears (TEN), Tyrone Tracy (NYG), and Kadarius Toney (KCC). Dylan Laube is currently listed as the Raiders top kick and punt returner. Therefore, he’s another one to watch if he gains a role on offense. Jalen McMillan (TBB), Ricky Pearsall (SFO), and Xavier Worthy (KCC) are rookies who currently reside atop their team’s punt returner depth chart. They join veterans Jayden Reed (GBP) and Kyren Williams (LAR) who hold that role for their respective teams. Just keep in mind, these returner depth charts can be pretty fluid at this time of year.
For more from PlayerProfiler, check out this article – Fantasy Sleepers – Targets in Dynasty Fantasy Football for 2024 (playerprofiler.com)
