USA TODAY International Edition
Special- teams aces: Rams, Chiefs
NFL rosters are essentially set until training camps open this month. In the meantime, USA TODAY Sports has analyzed each team’s depth chart and is ranking units throughout the league. Today’s positional group: special teams.
1. Los Angeles Rams: It’s time Johnny Hekker got his due — and for a team that so badly needs his services. His 51 punts inside the 20- yard line easily led the NFL last season, yet Hekker committed only one touchback — sublime precision. His 46 net yards a punt were nearly 2 better than any of his peers. And Hekker’s background as a quarterback makes him dangerous on fakes whether he’s punting or holding for K Greg Zuerlein. The Rams also deployed the league’s top coverage teams and limited punt returners to a league- low 4.3 yards per chance. Zuerlein rebounded from a poor 2015 but needs more opportunities from the offense. Tavon Austin and Pharoh Cooper are highly capable return men.
2. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyreek Hill was the NFL’s pre- eminent punt returner as a rookie, with no one eclipsing his two touchdowns or 15.2- yard average. But his new role as the featured receiver could limit his opportunities, and the Chiefs no longer plan to use him on kickoffs. Dustin Colquitt’s 38 punts inside the 20 paced the AFC, and he rarely allows chunky returns. Cairo Santos’ 88.6% field goal rate ranked fifth in the league.
3. Oakland Raiders: Entering his 18th year, Sebastian Janikowski looks to extend his career record for field goals from 50plus yards ( 55). P Marquette King has a huge leg but tends to outkick his coverage. Cordarrelle Patterson adds an explosive element after leading the league with 31.7 yards per kickoff last year.
4. Atlanta Falcons: They’re understandably overshadowed. Yet it has always been that way for K Matt Bryant, one of the best in the business for 15 seasons. Besides solid punting — though he’s rarely needed — Matt Bosher capably handles kickoffs, leading the NFC with 65 touchbacks last year. Newly signed Andre Roberts improves the return game.
5. New Orleans Saints: Sean Payton doesn’t give his kickers much rope, but Wil Lutz stabilized the position in 2016. P Thomas Morstead remains entrenched and can handle kickoffs, though Lutz assumed that role.
Ted Ginn Jr. should jolt the return game. 6. New England Patriots: Last year was the first since 2011 that K Stephen Gostkowski failed to lead the league in points. Matthew Slater has long been one of the NFL’s special- teams aces. P Ryan Allen isn’t a boomer but allows few return yards. The Patriots could use more production on their own returns.
7. Baltimore Ravens: Did any team rely more on its kicker? Justin Tucker had a league- high 38 field goals, including 10- for- 10 from beyond 50 yards, and is the most accurate man in NFL history ( 89.8%). Among a combined 66 field goal and PAT ( point after touchdown) attempts, he missed once in 2016. Sam Koch equates his creative punts to golf shots but comes off a bit of a down season. Special- teams guru John Harbaugh would surely welcome more impact from his returners.
8. Houston Texans: Only Tucker had more field goals than Nick Novak’s 35. Shane Lechler is one of the top punters in NFL history. Will Fuller’s speed made him a terror on punt returns.
9. Detroit Lions: Pro Bowler Matt Prater was a valuable component for a team that lived on the edge and hit all seven of his field goal tries beyond 50 yards. Sam Martin was just as good, finishing second in the league with 44.2 net yards per punt. Andre Roberts wasn’t re- signed despite scoring twice on punt returns.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers: Antonio Brown always lurks as a threat to take a punt to the house. Since coming aboard in 2015, K Chris Boswell has proved a nice solution. He scored all 18 of Pittsburgh’s points in last season’s playoff win at the Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers struggled to cover kicks.
11. Dallas Cowboys: Only Tucker has a better career field goal conversion rate than deadeye Dan Bailey ( 89.5%), who’s also drilled all 250 of his career PATs. Dallas is mediocre in most other areas. Dez Bryant has lobbied to return punts.
12. Green Bay Packers: K Mason Crosby proved yet again in the playoffs that he’s money when it matters. It might make sense to allow Randall Cobb to make more of a difference as a returner. 13. Tennessee Titans: Steady Ryan Succop doesn’t have a huge leg but also hasn’t missed a field goal try inside 50 yards ( 32- for- 32) over the last two seasons. Free agent signing Eric Weems can provide a boost on returning and covering kicks. 14. Philadelphia Eagles: Darren Sproles can still take a punt all the way. K Caleb Sturgis has been fine, and the team seems content with P Donnie Jones, 37. Philly excels at limiting returns.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Adam Vinatieri is 44. Last year, he established an NFL record with 44 consecutive field goals. He nailed all 44 of his PATS, too. But beyond his reliability, Indy has issues — primarily replacing retired Pat McAfee, who was not only a great punter but also kicked off.
16. Minnesota Vikings: Marcus Sherels returned two punts for TDs, but the loss of KR Cordarrelle Patterson hurts. Kai Forbath was perfect on field goals ( 15- for- 15) after replacing Blair Walsh, but he also had the yips on PATs, missing three of 14.
17. Denver Broncos: K Brandon McManus is solid. P Riley Dixon did well as a rookie. The coverage teams were among the league’s best.
18. Seattle Seahawks: They’re rolling the dice on Walsh, a former all- pro whose accuracy issues happened to begin when he shanked a game- winning field goal attempt against Seattle in the playoffs two years ago. P Jon Ryan is a good athlete who gives coach Pete Carroll options on fakes. Tyler Lockett is apparently on track to keep the return game among the NFL’s best.
19. Carolina Panthers: P Andy Lee and K Graham Gano struggled with injuries last year and must re- establish themselves. Ted Ginn Jr.’ s departure opens up the return jobs.
20. Washington Redskins: Few punt returners are better than WR Jamison Crowder. K Dustin Hopkins needs to be more accurate but does a nice job on kickoffs.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Their kicking battle could be the most anticipated in recent memory. That’s what happens when you invest a second- round pick at the position ( Roberto Aguayo), then watch him post the worst field goal percentage ( 71%) in the league. Nick Folk’s track record gives him a good shot at displacing Aguayo. No worries about P Bryan Anger, though. A weak re- turn game could turn to newcomer DeSean Jackson in tight spots.
22. Arizona Cardinals: Special teams were a contributor to Arizona’s underachievement in 2016. Even at 42, Phil Dawson should erase the kicking concerns. Given the talent on hand, particularly Patrick Peterson, the Cardinals should get more mileage from returns.
23. Buffalo Bills: Ex- Seattle K Steven Hauschka is an upgrade, though he has been more accurate on field goals than PATs in each of the last two seasons. Colton Schmidt’s 42.4 yards per punt were fewest in the NFL. Brandon Tate has always been a good return man.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Marqise Lee averaged better than 30 yards on kickoff returns. New DL Calais Campbell has a knack for blocking field goal attempts with his 6- 8 frame. K Jason Myers and P Brad Nortman are adequate at best.
25. Miami Dolphins: Andrew Franks’ 76.2% field goal rate isn’t good enough. Jarvis Landry, Jakeem Grant and Kenyan Drake are capable returners.
26. New York Giants: Dwayne Harris is one of the league’s standout special- teamers, whether he’s asked to return kicks or cover them. Rookie Aldrick Rosas is the only kicker on the roster.
27. Cincinnati Bengals: Responsible for a disastrous kicking game in 2016, Mike Nugent is long gone. Alex Erickson effectively took over the majority of the return duties.
28. Los Angeles Chargers: Josh Lambo led the NFL with 67 touchbacks on kickoffs. But he is in the bottom half of the league in terms of field goal and PAT accuracy and, like every other aspect of the club’s special teams, has room for substantial improvement.
29. Cleveland Browns: Rookie Jabrill Peppers might get the chance to make an impression. Zane Gonzalez was drafted to push K Cody Parkey.
30. Chicago Bears: K Connor Barth didn’t make anyone forget Robbie Gould, and Pat O’Donnell struggled even more as part of the league’s most generous punt team. Bears fans still miss Devin Hester, too.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Gould doesn’t have predecessor Phil Dawson’s leg. But kicking likely will remain the most stable special- teams area for this team.
32. New York Jets: New K Chandler Catanzaro will have fewer opportunities to disappoint than he did in Arizona. Lachlan Edwards’ 37.3 net yards per punt ranked worst in the league. He must improve given how busy he’ll likely be in 2017.