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List of NFL career punting yards leaders

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Andy Lee, third all-time in punting yards, punting for the San Francisco 49ers in 2012.

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 punting yards in the National Football League (NFL) goes as far back as 1939.

To be eligible for career-long rankings, a player must have a minimum of 250 punts.[1] Although he never led the league in punting yards for a single-season, Jeff Feagles' longevity propelled him to become the career punting yards leader, with 71,211.[2] Feagles is the only punter to eclipse 70,000 career punting yards, and only three other punters have surpassed the 60,000 mark. He also set the career record for total punts in 2005, when he recorded his 1,368th, surpassing Sean Landeta.[3] He later retired with 1,713 career punts, still the NFL record.[2][4]

With 1,168 punts and 52,868 punting yards for the Baltimore Ravens, Sam Koch has the most of both statistics for any individual franchise. Ranked 7th all-time in career punting yards, Koch is also the highest-ranked punter to have spent his entire career with a single team. The Kansas City Chiefs are the only other franchise to have a player punt for over 50,000 yards during their tenure with the team.

Shane Lechler, who ranks second to Feagles in both total punts and punting yards, is the NFL's all-time leader in yards per punt (47.6).[5] Lechler is also the only punter to lead two different franchises (the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans) in career punting yards.

Net yards per punt, or net average, as opposed to a player's gross average, is considered a more revealing indicator of a punter's performance.[6] This is due to the net average taking into account return yardage or a touchback on the punt which are subtracted from the gross punting yards, or how far the ball travels on a punt.[6] Logan Cooke holds the record for career net average (43.1), although Tommy Davis holds the unofficial record (44.5),[7] having played prior to 1976, when the statistic began being officially tracked.[6]

Career punting yards leaders

[edit]
Key
^ Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Denotes player who is still active
Rank Player Team(s) by season Punts Yards Average
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 71,211 41.6
2 Shane Lechler Oakland Raiders (2000–2012)
Houston Texans (2013–2017) 		1,444 68,676 47.6
3 Andy Lee San Francisco 49ers (2004–2014)
Cleveland Browns (2015)
Carolina Panthers (2016)
Arizona Cardinals (2017–2022) 		1,466 68,405 46.7
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 60,707 43.3
5 Brad Maynard New York Giants (1997–2000)
Chicago Bears (2001–2010)
Cleveland Browns (2011) 		1,339 56,021 41.8
6 Dustin Colquitt Kansas City Chiefs (2005–2019)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2020)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2020)
Atlanta Falcons (2021)
Cleveland Browns (2021) 		1,198 53,660 44.8
7 Sam Koch Baltimore Ravens (2006–2021) 1,168 52,868 45.3
8 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 52,490 45.4
9 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 51,979 42.4
10 Chris Gardocki Chicago Bears (1991–1994)
Indianapolis Colts (1995–1998)
Cleveland Browns (1999–2003)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2006) 		1,177 50,336 42.8
11 Rohn Stark Baltimore Colts (1982–1983)
Indianapolis Colts (1984–1994)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1995)
Carolina Panthers (1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997) 		1,141 49,471 43.4
12 Craig Hentrich Green Bay Packers (1994–1997)
Tennessee Oilers / Titans (1999–2009) 		1,150 49,281 42.9
13 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 48,414 42.4
14 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 47,641 42.1
15 Dave Jennings New York Giants (1974–1984)
New York Jets (1985–1987) 		1,154 47,567 41.2
16 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 47,021 42.1
17 Chris Mohr Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1989)
Buffalo Bills (1991–2000)
Atlanta Falcons (2001–2004) 		1,152 46,570 40.4
18 Jerrel Wilson Kansas City Chiefs (1963–1977)
New England Patriots (1978) 		1,072 46,139 43.0
19 Brett Kern Denver Broncos (2008–2009)
Tennessee Titans (2009–2021)
Philadelphia Eagles (2022–present) 		1,006 46,136 45.9
20 Kevin Huber Cincinnati Bengals (2009–2022) 1,011 45,766 45.3
21 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 44,700 42.3
22 Ray Guy^ Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders (1973–1986) 1,049 44,493 42.4
23 John James Atlanta Falcons (1972–1981)
Detroit Lions (1982)
Houston Oilers (1982–1984) 		1,083 43,992 40.6
24 Rich Camarillo New England Patriots (1981–1987)
Los Angeles Rams (1988)
Phoenix Cardinals (1989–1993)
Houston Oilers (1994–1995)
Oakland Raiders (1996) 		1,027 43,895 42.7
25 Reggie Roby Miami Dolphins (1983–1992)
Washington Redskins (1993–1994)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995)
Houston / Tennessee Oilers (1996–1997)
San Francisco 49ers (1998) 		992 42,951 43.3
Statistics accurate through Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season and gathered from Pro-Football-Reference.[8]

Career punting average leaders

[edit]
Key
* Denotes player who is still active
† Denotes player's statistics are unofficial[a]
Yards per punt
Yards per punt
Rank Player Team(s) by season Y/P
1 A. J. Cole III* Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders (2019–present) 48.2
2 Michael Dickson* Seattle Seahawks (2018–present) 48.0
3 Shane Lechler Oakland Raiders (2000–2012)
Houston Texans (2013–2017)		 47.6
4 Cameron Johnston* Philadelphia Eagles (2017–2020)
Houston Texans (2021–present)		 47.3
5 Logan Cooke* Jacksonville Jaguars (2018–present) 47.1
6 Tress Way* Washington Redskins / Football Team /
Commanders (2014–present)		 46.9
7 Johnny Hekker* St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams (2012–2021)
Carolina Panthers (2022–present)		 46.9
8 Bryan Anger* Jacksonville Jaguars (2012–2015)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2016–2018)
Houston Texans (2019–2020)
Dallas Cowboys (2021–present)		 46.8
9 Corey Bojorquez* Buffalo Bills (2018–2020)
Green Bay Packers (2021)
Cleveland Browns (2022–present)		 46.8
10 Thomas Morstead* New Orleans Saints (2009–2020)
New York Jets (2021)
Atlanta Falcons (2021)
Miami Dolphins (2022)
New York Jets (2023–present)		 46.8
Statistics accurate through the 2023 NFL season and gathered from Pro-Football-Reference.[9]
Net yards per punt
Logan Cooke holds the NFL's career record for net yards per punt among players with officially tracked statistics.
Net yards per punt
Rank Player Team(s) by season Net
1 Tommy Davis† San Francisco 49ers (1959–1969) 44.5
2 Yale Lary† Detroit Lions (1952–1953, 1956–1964) 43.9
Sammy Baugh† Washington Redskins (1937–1952) 43.9
4 Dave Lewis† Cincinnati Bengals (1970–1973) 43.7
5 Jerry Norton† Philadelphia Eagles (1954–1958)
Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals (1959–1961)
Dallas Cowboys (1962)
Green Bay Packers (1963–1964)		 43.5
6 Logan Cooke* Jacksonville Jaguars (2018–present) 43.3
Horace Gillom† Cleveland Browns (1947–1956) 43.3
7 Bob Scarpitto† San Diego Chargers (1961)
Denver Broncos (1962–1967)
Boston Patriots (1968)		 43.2
Don Chandler† New York Giants (1956–1964)
Green Bay Packers (1965–1967)		 43.2
10 Johnny Hekker* St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams (2012–2021)
Carolina Panthers (2022–present)		 43.0
Statistics accurate through the 2023 NFL season and gathered from The Football Database.[10]

Career franchise punting yards leaders

[edit]
Shane Lechler holds the franchise record for punting yards for both the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans.
Kevin Huber holds the Bengals franchise record for career punting yards.
Key
* Denotes player who is still active
‡ Franchise with punting leader on its current roster
Team Player Tenure Punts Yards Average Ref.
Arizona Cardinals Scott Player 1998–2007 714 30,752 43.1 [11]
Atlanta Falcons John James 1972–1981 873 35,633 40.8 [12]
Baltimore Ravens Sam Koch 2006–2021 1,168 52,868 45.3 [13]
Buffalo Bills Brian Moorman 2001–2012, 2013 923 40,370 43.7 [14]
Carolina Panthers Jason Baker 2005–2012 570 25,064 44.0 [15]
Chicago Bears Brad Maynard 2001–2010 878 36,781 41.9 [16]
Cincinnati Bengals Kevin Huber 2009–2022 1,011 45,766 45.3 [17]
Cleveland Browns Don Cockroft 1968–1980 651 26,262 40.3 [18]
Dallas Cowboys Mike Saxon 1985–1992 591 24,542 41.5 [19]
Denver Broncos Tom Rouen 1993–2002 641 28,146 43.9 [20]
Detroit Lions Nick Harris 2003–2012 694 29,857 43.0 [21]
Green Bay Packers David Beverly 1975–1980 495 18,785 37.9 [22]
Houston Texans Shane Lechler 2013–2017 430 20,463 47.6 [23]
Indianapolis Colts Rohn Stark 1982–1994 985 43,162 43.8 [24]
Jacksonville Jaguars Bryan Barker 1995–2000 456 19,849 43.5 [25]
Kansas City Chiefs Dustin Colquitt 2005–2019 1,124 50,393 44.8 [26]
Las Vegas Raiders Shane Lechler 2000–2012 1,014 48,215 47.5 [27]
Los Angeles Chargers Mike Scifres 2003–2016 756 34,152 45.2 [28]
Los Angeles Rams Johnny Hekker* 2012–2021 727 33,951 46.7 [29]
Miami Dolphins Brandon Fields 2007–2014 594 27,780 46.8 [30]
Minnesota Vikings Greg Coleman 1978–1987 720 29,391 40.8 [31]
New England Patriots Rich Camarillo 1981–1987 468 19,922 42.6 [32]
New Orleans Saints Thomas Morstead 2009–2020 692 32,190 46.5 [33]
New York Giants Dave Jennings 1974–1984 931 38,792 41.7 [34]
New York Jets Curley Johnson 1961–1968 534 22,718 42.5 [35]
Philadelphia Eagles Donnie Jones 2013–2017 374 16,971 45.4 [36]
Pittsburgh Steelers Bobby Walden 1968–1977 716 29,462 41.1 [37]
San Francisco 49ers Andy Lee 2004–2015 941 43,468 46.2 [38]
Seattle Seahawks Jon Ryan 2008–2018 770 34,492 44.8 [39]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Josh Bidwell 2004–2009 419 18,426 44.0 [40]
Tennessee Titans Brett Kern 2009–2021 923 42,333 45.9 [41]
Washington Commanders Mike Bragg 1968–1979 896 35,746 39.9 [42]
Statistics accurate through the 2022 NFL season.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Prior to 1976, the NFL did not track net punting yards, and still does not officially recognize them, rendering pre-1976 net punting stats unofficial.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Minimum Requirements For Football Leaderboards". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Giants' Feagles retires; NFL mark intact". ESPN. April 30, 2010. Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  3. ^ "Giants' Feagles sets career punts record". New England Patriots. September 11, 2005. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  4. ^ "NFL Punts Career Leaders (since 1939)". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 29, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  5. ^ "NFL Yards per Punt Career Leaders (since 1939)". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d 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. ^ "NFL Career Leaders – Punting Net Average". The Football Database. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  8. ^ "NFL Punting Yards Career Leaders (since 1939)". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 28, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  9. ^ "NFL Yards per Punt Career Leaders (since 1939)". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  10. ^ "NFL Career Leaders – Punting Net Average". The Football Database. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  11. ^ "Arizona Cardinals Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  12. ^ "Atlanta Falcons Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  13. ^ "Baltimore Ravens Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  14. ^ "Buffalo Bills Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  15. ^ "Carolina Panthers Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  16. ^ "Chicago Bears Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  17. ^ "Cincinnati Bengals Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  18. ^ "Cleveland Browns Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  19. ^ "Dallas Cowboys Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  20. ^ "Denver Broncos Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  21. ^ "Detroit Lions Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  22. ^ "Green Bay Packers Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  23. ^ "Houston Texans Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  24. ^ "Indianapolis Colts Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  25. ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  26. ^ "Kansas City Chiefs Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  27. ^ "Las Vegas Raiders Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  28. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  29. ^ "Los Angeles Rams Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  30. ^ "Miami Dolphins Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  31. ^ "Minnesota Vikings Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  32. ^ "New England Patriots Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  33. ^ "New Orleans Saints Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  34. ^ "New York Giants Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  35. ^ "New York Jets Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  36. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  37. ^ "Pittsburgh Steelers Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  38. ^ "San Francisco 49ers Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  39. ^ "Seattle Seahawks Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  40. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  41. ^ "Tennessee Titans Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  42. ^ "Washington Commanders Career Punting Leaders". The Football Database. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
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