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Players with Upside in Fantasy Football Return Yards Leagues

Return Yards Fantasy Production: Who Can You Trust?

League-wide, only 22% of kickoffs were returned last year.

That marked the lowest number in league history. 

Now, given an all new set of return rules, that number could exceed 50%.

You can view the NFL’s explanation of the 2024 rule change. It’s worth a few minutes of your time.

Bottom line: Return yards fantasy leagues are now significantly more interesting…

So which top kick returners should you consider? Plus, who are the best punt returners for 2024? Let's hit that below...

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Note: Writeups below are reserved for players with offensive fantasy value. More kick return options will be listed at the bottom in the top kick returners section; more punt returners shown under the best punt returners 2024 section.

Top Kick Returners

Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans

Spears took 13 of 18 team kick returns as a rookie. 

Now, with Derrick Henry off the roster, we’ll see if new HC Brian Callahan allows his special teams role to grow. 

The early signs are promising. Per team reporter Jim Wyatt, Spears has seen plenty of training camp work on kick returns. While Tennessee will mix and match return groups, there’s no clear option to take Spears’ place.

Already an intriguing candidate in standard leagues, Spears makes for an ideal target as your RB3/FLEX.

Antonio Gibson, RB, Patriots

Gibson served as Washington’s main kick returner over the past two seasons. 

After signing a mutli-year deal in New England – with $5.3 million guaranteed – it appears he’ll remain a special teams factor:

Even without a Rhamondre Stevenson injury, there’s a chance Gibson enters the RB3/FLEX mix in PPR formats. He enters the fall with 172 career catches.

Bucky Irving, RB, Buccaneers

Irving brings some college experience, with 14 career kick returns across three seasons.

He should be able to focus on returns more in 2024, especially with Rachaad White returning.

“He’s one of the guys training back there, so we’ll keep going," HC Todd Bowles said in training camp. "He’s a very good one-cut runner. We just asked him to do what he did in college. He did that [in practice] tonight.”

Note: Deven Thompkins – now a Panther – handled 100% of the Bucs’ returns in 2023. So there’s plenty of opportunity if the rookie proves ready.

Rashid Shaheed, WR, Saints

Shaheed signed a one-year contract extension in July.

Saints beat writer Luke Johnson said then that Johnson’s “...value as a returner is expected to increase with the new kickoff return rules.”

Shaheed saw 18 of 22 team kick return chances, and a busy workload appears likely as he enters into a full-time role as WR2.

Marvin Mims, WR, Broncos

Here’s Mims on the challenge that lies ahead.

“A lot of teams are going to do low line-drives and try to hit it on the 15 (yard line),” he said via the Denver Gazette. “Those are going to be hard to pick up, because right when the ball hits the ground, the (kicking team) can come at us,” Mims said. “We’ll see what teams do and how to react to it. There’s a lot of stuff that’s going to be figured out in preseason for the kickoff rule.”

The end of Mims’ quote serves as a reminder that return roles/opportunities will be fluid.

Still, he looks fairly safe as a primary return man. As a rookie, Mims tallied a 99-yard kickoff return and ranked second in missed tackles forced per return, per Pro Football Focus.

Plus, he averaged a huge 16.4 yards per punt return on 19 attempts. His offensive upside makes him a strong late-round flier, regardless of format.

Khalil Shakir, WR, Bills

Shakir brings breakout potential on offense, particularly with Stefon Diggs in Houston.

But if the Bills really want to load up his plate – there’s potential for an extra boost on returns.

Shakir ranked second on the team with five kick returns last year; three behind reserve RB Ty Johnson. Shakir also tallied five punt returns. Buffalo’s primary punt returner from last year – Deonte Harty – signed with Baltimore.

Other Top Kick Returners: 

• Keisean Nixon
• Braxton Berrios
• KaVontae Turpin
• Derius Davis
• Devin Duvernay
• Tre Tucker
• Cordarrelle Patterson
• Velus Jones
• Dameon Pierce

Best Punt Returners 2024

Punt return rules remain the same this season. With that, let's jump to the names you should know...

Tank Dell, WR, Texans

As a rookie, Dell paced the Texans with 11 punt returns for 100 yards (in 11 games). 

Back healthy from a season-ending leg injury, Dell should at least retain a rotational return role. The early returns support that, with names like Desmond King and Steven Sims mixing in.

Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs

Worthy proved electric at the University of Texas. On 40 opportunities, he averaged 14.1 yards per return and scored once.

He's an exciting option for Kansas City and ST coach Dave Toub. But will he be the guy?

"Punt returner, if you watch when we warm up, I've got like 19 guys out there," Toub said of the punt return reps in camp. "But in reality, there are probably five [or] six guys that could do it. (Xavier) Worthy, no question, (Kadarius) Toney is in there, Mecole (Hardman), Hollywood (Brown), he's an exciting guy to think about that could do it. And the guy that's really done a good job is Nikko Remigio."

The Chiefs might opt to keep the rookie's focus on WR duties. But if not, Worthy will be one of the league's most dangerous return threats.

Josh Downs, WR, Colts

Downs handled six punt returns and two kick returns as a rookie. His slot role is solidified in year two, but it doesn’t sounds like Indy wants to limit Downs’ opportunities.

From a top Colts beat writer in training camp:

There’s clearly work up for grabs. The Colts’ primary return man from 2023 (Isaiah McKenzie) signed with the Giants. He removes 29 total returns -- 23 on punts and 6 on kicks.

DeMario Douglas, WR, Patriots

Douglas might prove low-volume on returns. The Pats get back DB Marcus Jones after injury cut short his 2023.

Look back to 2022, and you’ll see his value. Jones was named an All-Pro punt returner, averaging 12.5 yards per opportunity and notching an 84-yard TD.

Still, Douglas has mixed in on both kick and punt returns this summer. He missed preivous practice time with a hand issue, but that appeared minor. Even a part-time special teams role would boost his PPR appeal.

Best Remaining Punt Returners

• Kalif Raymond
• Calvin Austin
• Braxton Berrios
• KaVontae Turpin
• Brandon Powell
• Derius Davis
• Devin Duvernay
• Greg Dortch
• Anthony Gould
• Britain Covey
• Jalen McMillan

Get a Cheat Sheet That Factors in Return Yards

Developing a round-by-round game plan for your draft is essential. One that accounts for all of your league's settings and rules, including return yards.

We project punt and kick return yards for all 32 teams, which are then factored into the rankings on the Draft War Room's customized cheat sheet. Our return projections will change as we learn more about player roles.

See how our Draft War Room helps you draft smarter than your competition:

Kevin English, Senior Analyst

Kevin brings 15 years of experience as a fantasy analyst and mid-stakes competitor across various formats (redraft, best ball, dynasty, DFS). His work has been featured on The Mercury News, Rotoworld, and FantasyPros.