Returnerguys - Week 1

  Posted 9/6 by Mike Herman, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

Who Should Be the Primary Returners on Kickoffs and Punts?

Arizona Cardinals

• KICKOFFS: RB J.J. Arrington, and possibly rookie WR Steve Breaston as the year progresses
• PUNTS: WR Steve Breaston

Atlanta Falcons

• BOTH: WR Adam Jennings

Baltimore Ravens

• KICKOFFS: mostly rookie WR Yamon Figurs, and possibly DB B.J. Sams
• PUNTS: mostly DB B.J. Sams, and possibly WR Yamon Figurs

Buffalo Bills

• KICKOFFS: CB Terrence McGee, backed up by RB Josh Scobey
• PUNTS: WR Roscoe Parrish

Carolina Panthers

• KICKOFFS: Rookie WR Ryne Robinson and RB Nick Goings
• PUNTS: WR Ryne Robinson

Chicago Bears

• BOTH: WR Devin Hester
• KICKOFFS: FS Danieal Manning or WR Rashied Davis may also line up deep alongside Hester

Cincinnati Bengals

• KICKOFFS: WR Tab Perry, backed up by WR Glenn Holt (when healthy)
• PUNTS: WR Skyler Green and/or WR Antonio Chatman (when healthy)

Cleveland Browns

• BOTH: WR Joshua Cribbs

Dallas Cowboys

• KICKOFFS: RB Tyson Thompson backed up by WR Miles Austin
• PUNTS: CB Terence Newman (when healthy), WR Patrick Crayton

Denver Broncos

• BOTH: WR Domenik Hixon, backed up by WR Brian Clark

Detroit Lions

• BOTH: WR Troy Walters
• PUNTS: WR Shaun McDonald may handle some

Green Bay Packers

• BOTH: CB Will Blackmon (when healthy)
• WEEK 1 NOTE: if Blackmon is unable to catch the ball due to the cast on his broken thumb, then CB Charles Woodson and/or CB Tramon Williams will handle punt returns, and RB DeShawn Wynn and Tramon Williams will handle kickoff returns.

Houston Texans

• KICKOFFS: WR Jerome Mathis
• PUNTS: rookie WR Jacoby Jones

Indianapolis Colts

• BOTH: CB T.J. Rushing

Jacksonville Jaguars

• KICKOFFS: RB Maurice Jones-Drew
• PUNTS: WR Dennis Northcutt

Kansas City Chiefs

• BOTH: WR Eddie Drummond

Miami Dolphins

• KICKOFFS: RB Ronnie Brown, RB Jesse Chatman, rookie WR Ted Ginn Jr., and/or rookie RB Lorenzo Booker
• PUNTS: Ted Ginn Jr.
• WEEK 1 NOTE: Ronnie Brown is still listed atop the Kickoff Returner spot on the depth chart, however Ted Ginn Jr. practiced in the lead role on Monday.

Minnesota Vikings

• KICKOFFS: WR Bobby Wade, WR Troy Williamson, and/or rookie WR Aundrae Allison
• PUNTS: RB Mewelde Moore

New England Patriots

• KICKOFFS: committee of WR Wes Welker, CB Ellis Hobbs, RB Kevin Faulk, CB Willie Andrews, RB Sammy Morris, and RB Laurence Maroney
• PUNTS: committee of WR Wes Welker, RB Kevin Faulk, and CB Willie Andrews

New Orleans Saints

• KICKOFFS: WR Lance Moore and RB Aaron Stecker; perhaps occasionally RB Reggie Bush
• PUNTS: WR Lance Moore and RB Reggie Bush

New York Giants

• KICKOFFS: RB Derrick Ward
• PUNTS: R.W. McQuarters, WR Sinorice Moss, and/or rookie CB Aaron Ross

New York Jets

• KICKOFFS: CB Justin Miller, backed up by RB Leon Washington
• PUNTS: Rookie CB/PR Darrelle Revis, backed up by rookie WR Chansi Stuckey

Oakland Raiders

• KICKOFFS: CB Chris Carr, backed up by rookie WR Johnnie Lee Higgins
• PUNTS: WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, backed up by CB Chris Carr

Philadelphia Eagles

• KICKOFFS: Safety J.R. Reed, backed up by RB Correll Buckhalter
• PUNTS: WR Greg Lewis
• WEEK 1 NOTE: the team is considering whether to also use J.R. Reed on punts

Pittsburgh Steelers

• BOTH: CB Allen Rossum, backed up by WR Willie Reid

San Diego Chargers

• BOTH: RB Darren Sproles, backed up by rookie WR Craig Davis

San Francisco 49ers

• KICKOFFS: RB Maurice Hicks and WR Brandon Williams
• PUNTS: WR Brandon Williams

Seattle Seahawks

• KICKOFFS: WR Nate Burleson and rookie CB Josh Wilson
• PUNTS: WR Nate Burleson

St. Louis Rams

• BOTH: WR Dante Hall

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• KICKOFFS: committee of RB Michael Pittman, RB Earnest Graham, and WR Michael Clayton
• PUNTS: committee of WR Joey Galloway, CB Phillip Buchanon, and WR Ike Hilliard

Tennessee Titans

• KICKOFFS: DB Cortland Finnegan and rookie RB Chris Henry
• PUNTS: DB Cortland Finnegan and rookie WR Chris Davis

Washington Redskins

• KICKOFFS: RB Rock Cartwright
• PUNTS: WR Antwaan Randle El

For new developments on the above scenarios, see the following Footballguys features:
Players in the News, updated each day thru Saturday
Breaking News on Sunday morning, including list of Inactives

Historical Team Return Rankings

Key:

• KR - Ranking based on kick return yardage
• PR - Rankings based on punt return yardage
• Rk - Combo fantasy ranking which is based on the following:
  • 6 points per return TD
  • 1 point per 20 punt return yards
  • 1 point per 40 kickoff return yards

Top five finishes are highlighted in yellow and top ten finishes are highlighted in green.