Individual returner projections for each week are included in your MyFBG projections and rankings automatically. My returner projections are included in the default projection set with David Dodds' offensive predictions. Choose David as the source, and then choose a scoring system in which you have included points for return yards.
The base return projections for a week can be seen on this page. You can also go to the content for the week and use the Returner Projections link to get there.
Divisional Round Outlook
Since return yards tend to be driven by kickoff returns more than punts, the best games are often those that are high scoring and feature kickers who rate low in touchback percentage. The game between the Cardinals and Packers is one of the most promising in the Divisional Round of the playoffs based on these factors. The Vegas betting line for the game has the total scoring ranging from 6 to 10 points more than the other contests this weekend, and Arizona and Green Bay sport touchback percentages that were tied for 9th worst during the regular season at 51%. Not surprisingly then, the kickoff returners for the Cardinals and Packers are two of the top four projected individuals for the week.
Tyler Lockett disappointed last week with only 1 kickoff return and 3 short punt returns in Seattle's wildcard win, but as a returner who should see all of his team's returns he remains the top projected player this week. Keshawn Martin ranks third this week amongst individual returners, though his risk is higher as Danny Amendola could take away some time on kick returns for the Patriots, and Amendola or Julian Edelman could steal some punt returns away from Martin.
Job Changes and Injuries of Note
Ted Ginn Jr is expected to begin practicing again this week, so barring a setback to his knee should be available for the Panther's playoff game. While Carolina may get their punt returner back, kick returner Fozzy Whittaker is not expected to practice yet as he deals with a high ankle sprain.
Despite doubts by Cincinnati's Adam Jones on the veracity of Antonio Brown's concussion, the Steelers receiver is going through the concussion protocol. Early media reports range from Brown "should be able to play" from a local paper, to ESPN reporting Brown is "not looking good" to play this week. Since the release of Jacoby Jones, the Steelers show Markus Wheaton on their depth chart as the backup punt returner.
Jeremy Maclin's mild high-ankle sprain has him missing practice time early in the week for the Chiefs. If healthy Maclin is an option for providing a spark on punt returns, though Frankie Hammond continued to handle the job during the Wildcard Round.
The Patriots should have Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola back for their Divisional Round game against the Chiefs. Both are options on punt returns along with Keshawn Martin.
Broncos primary returner Omar Bolden continues to be listed as Questionable, as he has for most of the season including while missing the last four games of the year. Media reports, however, indicate he is healthy enough to be available for Denver's Divisional Round game.
Divisional Round Team Return Projections
| Receiving Team | KR Yards | KR TDs | PR Yards | PR TDs | Total Yards | Total TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers | 73 | 0.01 | 18 | 0.04 | 91 | 0.05 |
| Carolina Panthers | 60 | 0.01 | 27 | 0.04 | 87 | 0.05 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 56 | 0.01 | 25 | 0.04 | 81 | 0.05 |
| New England Patriots | 58 | 0.01 | 20 | 0.03 | 78 | 0.04 |
| Denver Broncos | 57 | 0.01 | 18 | 0.02 | 75 | 0.03 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 43 | 0.01 | 31 | 0.04 | 74 | 0.05 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 45 | 0.02 | 25 | 0.06 | 70 | 0.08 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 40 | 0.01 | 21 | 0.03 | 61 | 0.04 |
Divisional Round Player Return Projections
| Player | Team | Position | KR Yards | KR TDs | PR Yards | PR TDs | Total Yards | Total TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Lockett | Seattle Seahawks | WR | 43 | 0.02 | 24 | 0.06 | 67 | 0.08 |
| Jeff Janis | Green Bay Packers | WR | 58 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 58 | 0.01 |
| Keshawn Martin | New England Patriots | WR | 47 | 0.01 | 4 | 0.01 | 51 | 0.02 |
| Kerwynn Williams | Arizona Cardinals | RB | 45 | 0.01 | 4 | 0.01 | 49 | 0.02 |
| Joe Webb III | Carolina Panthers | WR | 43 | 0.01 | 4 | 0.01 | 47 | 0.02 |
| Omar Bolden | Denver Broncos | DB | 35 | 0.01 | 11 | 0.01 | 46 | 0.02 |
| Markus Wheaton | Pittsburgh Steelers | WR | 34 | 0.01 | 4 | 0.01 | 38 | 0.02 |
| Ted Ginn Jr | Carolina Panthers | WR | 14 | 0 | 23 | 0.03 | 37 | 0.03 |
| Frankie Hammond | Kansas City Chiefs | WR | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0.04 | 30 | 0.04 |
| Knile Davis | Kansas City Chiefs | RB | 27 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0.01 |
| Micah Hyde | Green Bay Packers | CB | 7 | 0 | 15 | 0.04 | 22 | 0.04 |
| Patrick Peterson | Arizona Cardinals | DB | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0.03 | 20 | 0.03 |
| Danny Amendola | New England Patriots | WR | 8 | 0 | 11 | 0.01 | 19 | 0.01 |
| Andre Caldwell | Denver Broncos | WR | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| Antonio Brown | Pittsburgh Steelers | WR | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0.02 | 17 | 0.02 |
| Chris Conley | Kansas City Chiefs | WR | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| David Johnson | Arizona Cardinals | RB | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Randall Cobb | Green Bay Packers | WR | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Jordan Norwood | Denver Broncos | WR | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0.01 | 7 | 0.01 |
| Jordan Todman | Pittsburgh Steelers | RB | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Julian Edelman | New England Patriots | WR | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0.01 | 5 | 0.01 |
| Fozzy Whittaker | Carolina Panthers | WR | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Emmanuel Sanders | Denver Broncos | WR | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Patrick Chung | New England Patriots | DB | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Doug Baldwin | Seattle Seahawks | WR | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Brittan Golden | Arizona Cardinals | WR | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jeremy Maclin | Kansas City Chiefs | WR | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
