List of NFL career punts leaders

Last updated

Jeff Feagles holds the NFL career record for most punts with 1,713. !Jeff Feaglesl.JPG
Jeff Feagles holds the NFL career record for most punts with 1,713.

In American football, a punt is a kick that is performed after a player (most often a punter) drops the ball from their hands and kicks it prior to it hitting the ground. Record keeping for punts in the National Football League (NFL) goes back to 1939.

Contents

To be eligible for career-long rankings, a player must have a minimum of 250 punts. [1] After his 22 seasons as an NFL punter, Jeff Feagles retired with 1,713 punts, the NFL's career record. [2] [3] Feagles is the only punter to eclipse 1,500 career punts; a total of 24 players have reached 1,000 punts during their career. Feagles set the career record for total punts while playing for the New York Giants in 2005, when he recorded his 1,368th, surpassing Sean Landeta. [4] With 1,168 punts for the Baltimore Ravens, Sam Koch has the most career punts for any individual franchise. The Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders are the only two franchises with two different players to record 1,000 punts for their teams.

Punting is a strategy in American football designed to put the opposing team at a disadvantage by dealing them with poor field position. As such, landing punts close to the receiving team's end zone is highly desired by the punting team. While techniques and strategies (such as the coffin corner punt) are utilized in this context, a punt that enters the end zone can result in a touchback if downed by the receiving team without the ball being advanced beyond their goal line. When a touchback occurs, the ball is placed at the 20-yard line. [5] As such, the ratio of inside-the-20 punts to touchbacks is of consideration. [6] [7] The NFL began officially tracking punts landed inside the 20-yard line and those resulting in touchbacks in 1976. [6]

Feagles holds the record for punts landing inside opponents' 20-yard line with 554. [3] Shane Lechler holds the record for punting touchbacks with 178. [8]

Career punts leaders

Key
^Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
*Denotes player who is still active
RankPlayerTeam(s) by seasonPunts
1 Jeff Feagles New England Patriots (1988–1989)
Philadelphia Eagles (1990–1993)
Arizona Cardinals (1994–1997)
Seattle Seahawks (1998–2002)
New York Giants (2003–2009)		1,713
2 Andy Lee San Francisco 49ers (2004–2014)
Cleveland Browns (2015)
Carolina Panthers (2016)
Arizona Cardinals (2017–2022)		1,466
3 Shane Lechler Oakland Raiders (2000–2012)
Houston Texans (2013–2017)		1,444
4 Sean Landeta New York Giants (1985–1993)
Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams (1993–1996, 2003–2004)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997)
Green Bay Packers (1998)
Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2002, 2005)		1,401
5 Brad Maynard New York Giants (1997–2000)
Chicago Bears (2001–2010)
Cleveland Browns (2011)		1,339
6 Lee Johnson Houston Oilers (1985–1987)
Cleveland Browns (1987–1988)
Cincinnati Bengals (1988–1998)
New England Patriots (1999–2001)
Minnesota Vikings (2001)
Philadelphia Eagles (2002)		1,226
7 Dustin Colquitt Kansas City Chiefs (2005–2019)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2020)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2020)
Atlanta Falcons (2021)
Cleveland Browns (2021)		1,198
8 Chris Gardocki Chicago Bears (1991–1994)
Indianapolis Colts (1995–1998)
Cleveland Browns (1999–2003)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2006)		1,177
9 Sam Koch Baltimore Ravens (2006–2021)1,168
10 Donnie Jones Seattle Seahawks (2004)
Miami Dolphins (2005–2006)
St. Louis Rams (2007–2011)
Houston Texans (2012)
Philadelphia Eagles (2013–2017)
Los Angeles Chargers (2018)		1,157
11 Dave Jennings New York Giants (1974–1984)
New York Jets (1985–1987)		1,154
12 Chris Mohr Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1989)
Buffalo Bills (1991–2000)
Atlanta Falcons (2001–2004)		1,152
13 Craig Hentrich Green Bay Packers (1994–1997)
Tennessee Oilers / Titans (1999–2009)		1,150
14 Matt Turk Washington Redskins (1995–1999)
Miami Dolphins (2000–2001, 2003–2005)
New York Jets (2002)
St. Louis Rams (2006)
Houston Texans (2007–2011)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2011)		1,143
15 Rohn Stark Baltimore Colts (1982–1983)
Indianapolis Colts (1984–1994)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1995)
Carolina Panthers (1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997)		1,141
16 Bryan Barker Kansas City Chiefs (1990–1993)
Philadelphia Eagles (1994)
Jacksonville Jaguars (1995–2000)
Washington Redskins (2001–2003)
Green Bay Packers (2004)
St. Louis Rams (2005)		1,132
17 Mark Royals Philadelphia Eagles (1987)
St. Louis Cardinals (1987)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1990–1991, 1999–2001)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1992–1994)
Detroit Lions (1995–1996)
New Orleans Saints (1997–1998)
Miami Dolphins (2002–2003)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2003)		1,116
18 John James Atlanta Falcons (1972–1981)
Detroit Lions (1982)
Houston Oilers (1982–1984)		1,083
19 Jerrel Wilson Kansas City Chiefs (1963–1977)
New England Patriots (1978 		1,072
20 Brian Hansen New Orleans Saints (1984–1988)
New England Patriots (1990)
Cleveland Browns (1991–1993)
New York Jets (1994–1998)
Washington Redskins (1999)		1,057
21 Dan Stryzinski Pittsburgh Steelers (1990–1991)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1992–1994)
Atlanta Falcons (1995–2000)
Kansas City Chiefs (2001–2002)
New York Jets (2003)		1,055
22 Ray Guy^ Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders (1973–1986)1,049
23 Rich Camarillo New England Patriots (1981–1987)
Los Angeles Rams (1988)
Phoenix Cardinals (1989–1993)
Houston Oilers (1994–1995)
Oakland Raiders (1996)		1,027
24 Kevin Huber Cincinnati Bengals (2009–2022)1,011
25 Brett Kern Denver Broncos (2008–2009)
Tennessee Titans (2009–2021)
Philadelphia Eagles (2022)		1,006
26 Mike Horan Philadelphia Eagles (1984–1985)
Denver Broncos (1986–1992)
New York Giants (1993–1996)
St. Louis Rams (1997, 1999)
Chicago Bears (1998)		1,003
Statistics accurate through the end of the 2022 NFL season
and gathered from Pro-Football-Reference. [9]

Most punts inside the 20-yard line

Dustin Colquitt has the second-most career inside-20 punts in NFL history. Dustin Colquitt.JPG
Dustin Colquitt has the second-most career inside-20 punts in NFL history.
Key
*Denotes player who is still active
RankPlayerTeam(s) by seasonIn-20Pct
1 Jeff Feagles New England Patriots (1988–1989)
Philadelphia Eagles (1990–1993)
Arizona Cardinals (1994–1997)
Seattle Seahawks (1998–2002)
New York Giants (2003–2009)		554
2 Dustin Colquitt Kansas City Chiefs (2005–2019)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2020)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2020)
Atlanta Falcons (2021)
Cleveland Browns (2021)		483
3 Andy Lee San Francisco 49ers (2004–2014)
Cleveland Browns (2015)
Carolina Panthers (2016)
Arizona Cardinals (2017–2022)		476
4 Shane Lechler Oakland Raiders (2000–2012)
Houston Texans (2013–2017)		469
5 Sam Koch Baltimore Ravens (2006–2021)453
6 Brad Maynard New York Giants (1997–2000)
Chicago Bears (2001–2010)
Cleveland Browns (2011)		439
7 Craig Hentrich Green Bay Packers (1994–1997)
Tennessee Oilers / Titans (1999–2009)		399
8 Brett Kern Denver Broncos (2008–2009)
Tennessee Titans (2009–2021)
Philadelphia Eagles (2022)		396
9 Sean Landeta New York Giants (1985–1993)
Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams (1993–1996, 2003–2004)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997)
Green Bay Packers (1998)
Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2002, 2005)		381
10 Donnie Jones Seattle Seahawks (2004)
Miami Dolphins (2005–2006)
St. Louis Rams (2007–2011)
Houston Texans (2012)
Philadelphia Eagles (2013–2017)
Los Angeles Chargers (2018)		379
Statistics accurate through the end of the 2022 NFL season
and gathered from The Football Database. [10]

Career punting touchbacks leaders

Shane Lechler has the most career punts resulting in touchbacks in NFL history. Shane-Lechler Oct 24 2010.jpg
Shane Lechler has the most career punts resulting in touchbacks in NFL history.
Key
^Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
*Denotes player who is still active
RankPlayerTeam(s) by seasonTB
1 Shane Lechler Oakland Raiders (2000–2012)
Houston Texans (2013–2017)		178
2 Sean Landeta New York Giants (1985–1993)
Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams (1993–1996, 2003–2004)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997)
Green Bay Packers (1998)
Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2002, 2005)		166
3 Craig Hentrich Green Bay Packers (1994–1997)
Tennessee Oilers / Titans (1999–2009)		142
Lee Johnson Houston Oilers (1985–1987)
Cleveland Browns (1987–1988)
Cincinnati Bengals (1988–1998)
New England Patriots (1999–2001)
Minnesota Vikings (2001)
Philadelphia Eagles (2002)		142
5 Rohn Stark Baltimore Colts (1982–1983)
Indianapolis Colts (1984–1994)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1995)
Carolina Panthers (1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997)		133
6 Andy Lee San Francisco 49ers (2004–2014)
Cleveland Browns (2015)
Carolina Panthers (2016)
Arizona Cardinals (2017–2022)		132
7 Matt Turk Washington Redskins (1995–1999)
Miami Dolphins (2000–2001, 2003–2005)
New York Jets (2002)
St. Louis Rams (2006)
Houston Texans (2007–2011)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2011)		129
8 Ray Guy^ Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders (1973–1986)128
9 Jeff Feagles New England Patriots (1988–1989)
Philadelphia Eagles (1990–1993)
Arizona Cardinals (1994–1997)
Seattle Seahawks (1998–2002)
New York Giants (2003–2009)		127
10 Reggie Roby Miami Dolphins (1983–1992)
Washington Redskins (1993–1994)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995)
Houston / Tennessee Oilers (1996–1997)
San Francisco 49ers (1998)		112
Statistics accurate through the end of the 2022 NFL season
and gathered from The Football Database. [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

In American football, a touchback is a ruling that is made and signaled by an official when the ball becomes dead on or behind a team's own goal line and the opposing team gave the ball the momentum, or impetus, to travel over or across the goal line but did not have possession of the ball when it became dead. Since the 2018 season, touchbacks have also been awarded in college football on kickoffs that end in a fair catch by the receiving team between its own 25-yard line and goal line. In the 2023 season, the NFL adopted the same rules as college football in regards to awarding touchbacks on kickoffs that end in a fair catch. In 2024, the NFL moved the placement of the ball after a touchback on a kickoff to the receiving team's 30-yard line; this was part of a radical change to the league's kickoff procedure. Such impetus may be imparted by a kick, pass, fumble, or in certain instances by batting the ball. A touchback is not a play, but a result of events that may occur during a play. A touchback is the opposite of a safety with regard to impetus since a safety is scored when the ball becomes dead in a team's end zone after that team — the team whose end zone it is — caused the ball to cross the goal line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Punter (gridiron football)</span> Gridiron football special teams position

A punter (P) in gridiron football is a special teams player who receives the snapped ball directly from the line of scrimmage and then punts (kicks) the football to the opposing team so as to limit any field position advantage. This generally happens on a fourth down in American football and a third down in Canadian football. Punters may also occasionally take part in fake punts in those same situations, when they throw or run the football instead of punting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Feagles</span> American football player (born 1966)

Jeffrey Allan Feagles is an American former professional football player who was a punter for 22 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 1988, and most recently played for the New York Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emlen Tunnell</span> American football player and coach (1924–1975)

Emlen Lewis Tunnell, nicknamed "the Gremlin", was an American football player and coach. He was the first African-American to play for the New York Giants and also the first to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Lee (American football)</span> American football player (born 1982)

Andrew Paul Lee is an American football punter who is a free agent. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL draft.

Mark Alan Royals is a former American football punter in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars. He played college football at Appalachian State University.

Toby Lee Gowin is a former American football punter in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and New York Jets. He played college football at the University of North Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donnie Jones</span> American football player (born 1980)

Donald Scott Jones Jr. is an American former football punter who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL draft. He also played for the Miami Dolphins, St. Louis Rams, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Chargers. With the Eagles, he won Super Bowl LII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Koch</span> American football player and coach (born 1982)

Samuel David Koch is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 16-year career as a punter for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and was selected by the Ravens in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He is known for developing many punting variations, revolutionizing his position in the process.

Charles John Priefer is an American former football coach who held a variety of defensive and special teams coaching positions at the college and professional levels of the sport, including 17 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

Michael William Horan is an American former professional football player who was a punter in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Long Beach State 49ers and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the ninth round of the 1982 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Schmitt</span> American gridiron football player (born 1985)

Ricky William Schmitt is a former gridiron football punter and place kicker. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Shepherd University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Return specialist</span> American/Canadian football player who specializes in kick returns

A return specialist or kick returner is a player on the special teams unit of a gridiron football team who specializes in returning punts and kickoffs. There are few players who are exclusively return specialists; most also play another position such as wide receiver, defensive back, or running back. The special teams counterpart of a return specialist is a kicking specialist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graham Gano</span> Scottish-born American football player (born 1987)

Graham Clark Gano is an American football placekicker for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2009. Gano has also played for the Las Vegas Locomotives in the United Football League (UFL), the Washington Redskins and the Carolina Panthers. During his time with the Panthers, he achieved the franchise's record for longest field goal at 63 yards in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Morstead</span> American football player (born 1986)

Thomas James Morstead is an American football punter for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at SMU and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Punt (gridiron football)</span> Kick downfield to the opposing team in gridiron football

In gridiron football, a punt is a kick performed by dropping the ball from the hands and then kicking the ball before it hits the ground. The most common use of this tactic is to punt the ball downfield to the opposing team, usually on the final down, with the hope of giving the receiving team a field position that is more advantageous to the kicking team when possession changes. The result of a typical punt, barring any penalties or extraordinary circumstances, is a first down for the receiving team. A punt is not to be confused with a drop kick, a kick after the ball hits the ground, now rare in both American and Canadian football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Dickson (American football)</span> Australian-born American football player (born 1996)

Michael Dickson is an Australian-born American football punter for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and was selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft. Regarded as one of the best punters in the league, his career punt average of 47.7 yards per punt ranks as the highest in NFL history.

Mike Sweatman is an American football coach. He served as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, New England Patriots, New York Jets and Chicago Bears.

References

  1. ↑ "Minimum Requirements For Football Leaderboards". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  2. ↑ Branch, John (May 1, 2010). "Jeff Feagles Retires After 1,713 Punts". The New York Times . Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Giants' Feagles retires; NFL mark intact". ESPN. April 30, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Giants' Feagles sets career punts record". New England Patriots. September 11, 2005. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  5. ↑ Maske, Mark (March 23, 2016). "NFL owners approve 25-yard line touchback rule change, double unsportsmanlike conduct ejections". The Washington Post . Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  6. 1 2 Shpigel, Ben (November 2, 2017). "The N.F.L.'s Most Valuable Player Might Be ... a Punter?". The New York Times . Archived from the original on November 4, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  7. ↑ Carter, Jayceon (January 16, 2011). "NFL: To Touchback or Not to Touchback, That Is the Question". Bleacher Report . Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  8. ↑ "NFL Career Leaders – Punting Touchbacks". The Football Database. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  9. ↑ "NFL Punts Career Leaders (since 1939)". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  10. ↑ "NFL Career Leaders – Punting Net Average". The Football Database. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  11. ↑ "NFL Career Leaders – Punting Touchbacks". The Football Database. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
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