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2015 Kick and Punt Returners (1 Viewer)

Hi Greg,

Looks like the Raiders used Amari Cooper to return a couple of punts last Sunday. One for a loss. Is TJ Carrie's time as the punt returner over do you think?

 
Hi Greg,

Looks like the Raiders used Amari Cooper to return a couple of punts last Sunday. One for a loss. Is TJ Carrie's time as the punt returner over do you think?
Del Rio said Cooper would be used on punts "occasionally".

 
Devin Hester is improving apparently, though not sure if he'll play this week.

As I mentioned in the Returner Recap, Houston signed Nick Novak at kicker. The last two years he was one of the worst in the league at kickoffs. If Hester returns against Houston it could be a good day for him if Houston can get in the end zone enough to need to kickoff. Punter Shane Lechler would be the other option on kickoffs, but he's only done about 9 in his career.

 
Hester and Jacoby Jones both out for this week.

Mike Campanaro had taken over punts and kickoffs, but was hurt Thursday and is now on IR. Steve Smith has 4 broken bones in his back. Not sure how it will play out now at returner. Lardarius Webb has some history there so could be in the mix. Or they could also sign someone (bring back Asa Jackson?) or try some of their younger receivers or corners. Another receiver with return experience like a Solomon Patton could make sense.

Edit to add: And just after I see Chris Givens was traded to the Ravens. He could get involved too, particularly as a kick returner. Givens on kicks and Webb on punts is a possibility.

 
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Hi Greg!

It was great having Hester last year because he was great on returns and he had a #3 receiver role and put up some receiver numbers to go along with his return yard points. With Hankerson taking on a bigger role, is Hester really worth having in a 12 team league if he is probably going to have limited touches as a receiver and thus mainly earning return points which are 1pt per 10 yards?

 
Hi Greg!

It was great having Hester last year because he was great on returns and he had a #3 receiver role and put up some receiver numbers to go along with his return yard points. With Hankerson taking on a bigger role, is Hester really worth having in a 12 team league if he is probably going to have limited touches as a receiver and thus mainly earning return points which are 1pt per 10 yards?
My exact issue. He was wr10 last year, and I'm worried that turf toe and fewer wr snaps will take him from gold to worthless.

 
Yeah, I don't know that I'd count on him getting many receiving yards with how things look. Too much competition for receptions.

 
Hi again Greg!

It looks like the Texans had Mumpherey returning kicks against the Falcons. Not positive, but I think he was returning kicks even before Demps got hurt and left the game. Not sure though. Is Demps out as kick returner do you think? (Even if Demps is reAdy for the next game)

 
Hi again Greg!

It looks like the Texans had Mumpherey returning kicks against the Falcons. Not positive, but I think he was returning kicks even before Demps got hurt and left the game. Not sure though. Is Demps out as kick returner do you think? (Even if Demps is reAdy for the next game)
Yes, Mumphery was handling them from the start. I don't think Houston has any returners laying any kind of claim to keeping the return jobs. I'd not want to rely on their individual returners if you can avoid it, too much chance it could change up from one week to the next without notice.

For Houston's Thursday game, Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts are both injured, which makes Mumphery the #2 WR, and Jaelan Strong and Chandler Worthy would be #3 and #4. I can see them being leery of risking Mumphery on returns this week. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Worthy handle returns this game.

 
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Devin Hester on IR with designation to return.

Campanaro on IR.

Dwayne Harris was briefly injured late in the 2nd quarter. He returned and handled punt returns, but Shane Vereeen handled the rest of the kick returns. As Harris is one of the few returners to handle both punts and kickoffs and so more valuable in fantasy, worth keeping on eye on whether Vereen sees more returns. It was a rib injury for Harris so it may come down to pain tolerance. You tend to get hit harder on kickoff returns since you're normally at speed when you encounter a tackler, so it might make sense to give Harris a break on those if he's dealing with painful ribs.

 
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Travis Carrie has a bruised chest that is keeping him out of practice. Amari Cooper owners could see some extra punt returns if Carrie can't play this week.

 
Marcus Thigpen is with the Colts now.

If you didn't see last night, Jacoby Jones is active finally.

Texans waived Chandler Worthy. Which either means that Keith Mumphery is handling returns this week, or Shorts and/or Demps are looking good to play this week.

Dolphins cut Raheem Mostert, removing some of the competition for Landry on kick returns.

 
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Tyler Varga to IR.

Cowboys are working out LaMichael James.

Ravens claimed Raheem Mostert off of waivers, though they have Jeremy Ross now for returns.

 
Dolphins used Damien Williams on kickoffs instead of Jarvis Landry.

Knile Davis didn't take over as RB for the Chiefs, and split time on kickoffs with De'Anthony Thomas.

Thigpen was released by the Colts, so for now it looks like Griff Whalen will be handling the returns. Hopefully he's better at it than he is at playing center.

 
Marquise Goodwin on IR. With Harvin also hurt, Denarius Moore may handle the kickoff returns for Buffalo. Robert Woods could be another option too.

Shaun Draughn released by Cleveland, with Justin Gilbert taking over kickoff returns.

 
Chris Owusu waived injured by the Jets. Zac Stacy is the kick returner now.

Raheem Mostert was active this week and returned kickoffs for Baltimore. This could be a situation if he's active he gets the kick returns, if not Jeremy Ross does.

 
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McCluster took over KR for Sankey. It will be interesting to see if he maintains his KR/PR duties and 50% snap count post coaching change.

With Jones released and Oliver on IR, Woodhead is now listed as the primary backup to both the KR/PR positions behind Herndon. A situation to monitor if Herndon drops the ball or finds himself inactive.

 
Hi Greg,

Piggybacking on EastonBlues post here. Any word on whether or not McCluster will remain the KR for the Titans after the coaching change? Thanks!

 
I haven't seen anything else on McCluster vs Sankey since Whisenhunt's comments before he was fired. I'm guessing they'll go with McCluster though.

A lot of returner happenings going on, some major. Just sent in a new set of projections, should show up in the morning.

Jacoby Jones was released by the Chargers and then picked up from waivers by the Steelers. The Steelers then released kickoff returner Dri Archer. Presumably Jones will handle kickoff returns for the Steelers.

Along with releasing Jacoby Jones, the Chargers have placed both Brandon Oliver and Keenan Allen on injured reserve. Javontee Herndon has been promoted from the practice squad and is listed on the team's depth chart now as the primary returner for both punts and kickoffs. Danny Woodhead is listed as his backup.

Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt spoke of replacing Bishop Sankey on kickoff returns with Dexter McCluster. Whisenhunt has since been fired. It remains to be seen whether Tennessee will stick with that change or not under interim coach Mike Mularkey.

The Raiders signed wide receiver Marcus Thigpen. Thigpen could see time as a returner, and on punt returns particularly where the Raiders might seek to limit wear and tear on Travis Carrie.

Rashad Greene is back practicing fully with the Jaguars, though he is not eligible to make his return from injured reserve until Week 11.

Damien Williams has been limited with a thumb injury, which increases the chances of Jarvis Landry seeing kickoff returns for the Dolphins
 
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Goblue41 said:
Hi Greg,

Piggybacking on EastonBlues post here. Any word on whether or not McCluster will remain the KR for the Titans after the coaching change? Thanks!
Mularkey said McCluster will return and be backed by Antonio Andrews if needed. If he's going to be the workhorse, they probably won't go to him so it's either all McCluster or McCluster backed up by someone else.

It very much seems like Sankey will not get another chance. Same "air" as West fumbling.

Also Andrews is the backup at numerous things and as a top "football guy" like backup LS, 4th string QB, backup FB etc.

 
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McCluster and Sherels made the injury report as Questionable, and Cromartie is Doubtful for Thursday night.

 
Hi Greg,

With Amendola taking over for Edelman at receiver do you think the patriots will still risk having him on kick off returns or do you think they may stick someone else back there like Keyshawn Martin or Chung?

 
As far as past history, the Patriots have not been afraid to have key guys on returns. 2013 is a great example with Gronk out much of the year and Edelman and Amendola their only receivers of any note. Edelman handled 35 of 36 punt returns that year.

While my gut is they stick with Amendola, it would not surprise me either if they did cut down on his work load, particularly on kickoffs.

Some other potentially fantasy relevant players with news.. Rashad Greene is eligible to come off IR, but conditioning may be an issue and they have a Thursday game so it may be short notice on him.

Leodis McKelvin handled punts for Buffalo, but I'm not sure where his IDP value is going to be with the current situation in the secondary. I'd go with whatever Norton or Rudnicki have for projections for that part.

Another IDP though, Travis Carrie, is back on punts with Marcus Thigpen released by Oakland.

And C.J. Spiller handled kicks for the Saints.

 
Jeremy Ross was released. Mostert was already handling kick returns when active. Punts could now go to Lardarius Webb or to newly signed Kaelin Clay.

Also, Dri Archer worked out for the Jets. They are thin at kick returner.

 
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Hi Greg,

Kaelin Clay is obviously the punt returner now for the ravens but he also ran back kickoffs as well on Monday night. Mostert ran back or at least was back to return the last kick off so I'm wondering if Clay is indeed the punt returner and kick returner for the ravens.

 
Hi Greg,

Kaelin Clay is obviously the punt returner now for the ravens but he also ran back kickoffs as well on Monday night. Mostert ran back or at least was back to return the last kick off so I'm wondering if Clay is indeed the punt returner and kick returner for the ravens.
Sorry, didn't see the thread bumped. I'd have said I wasn't sure if I had, didn't see anything from the coaching staff, and even apart from their preferences this could be the kind of thing that other team needs could drive who is active. As it turned out, both got a chance at a kick return with Mostert getting two and Clay one.

 
So Jacoby Jones looks to have lost the return jobs in Pittsburgh.

Keshawn Martin was used on kickoffs by the Patriots, which is most notable because like Bruce Ellington, Martin is a guy who returns kickoffs others would take a knee on. Or at least he did in Houston under Kubiak. Whether the Patriots staff allows it (if they even stay with him) is another story.

Devin Hester got activated from injured reserve.

And David Johnson's role on offense is probably why the Cardinals used Kerwynn Williams on kickoffs.

 
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Hi Greg,

Thanks for the info. Two questions.....

1. What site has the best play by play info for games that shows who the kick returner was on a kickoff even if it was a touchback?

2. Who do you like going forward in the fantasy playoffs between these 3? (1pt per 10 return yards)

Cordarelle Patterson vs. (Chi, NYG)

Keshawn Martin vs. (Ten, NYJ)

Lucky Whitehead vs. (NYJ, Buf)

 
Greg Russell said:
So Jacoby Jones looks to have lost the return jobs in Pittsburgh.

Keshawn Martin was used on kickoffs by the Patriots, which is most notable because like Bruce Ellington, Martin is a guy who returns kickoffs others would take a knee on. Or at least he did in Houston under Kubiak. Whether the Patriots staff allows it (if they even stay with him) is another story.

Devin Hester got activated from injured reserve.

And David Johnson's role on offense is probably why the Cardinals used Kerwynn Williams on kickoffs.
yep - will be AB on punts and Wheaton on KR

Jones will probably be cut in the near future

 
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Goblue41 said:
Hi Greg,

Thanks for the info. Two questions.....

1. What site has the best play by play info for games that shows who the kick returner was on a kickoff even if it was a touchback?

2. Who do you like going forward in the fantasy playoffs between these 3? (1pt per 10 return yards)

Cordarelle Patterson vs. (Chi, NYG)

Keshawn Martin vs. (Ten, NYJ)

Lucky Whitehead vs. (NYJ, Buf)
I've never found a good site for who the returner was on touchbacks. I have to watch the games on NFL Game Rewind to find out, and even then there are times the announcer won't name them and TV doesn't show a good front or back shot to see their number. But they do index the plays so you can just scroll through the play by play and click on each punt or kick, or do a search.

I'd definitely go with Patterson there. Martin and Whitehead there is too much risk they won't get the kickoffs. Giants are a juicy matchup, high scoring and low touchback percent. Bears aren't as high scoring but have a low touchback percent as well. Jets replaced their kicker with Randy Bullock so even though they have been the worst on kickoffs throughout the season, that won't have much bearing on their games going forward.

 
Greg Russell said:
So Jacoby Jones looks to have lost the return jobs in Pittsburgh.

Keshawn Martin was used on kickoffs by the Patriots, which is most notable because like Bruce Ellington, Martin is a guy who returns kickoffs others would take a knee on. Or at least he did in Houston under Kubiak. Whether the Patriots staff allows it (if they even stay with him) is another story.

Devin Hester got activated from injured reserve.

And David Johnson's role on offense is probably why the Cardinals used Kerwynn Williams on kickoffs.
yep - will be AB on punts and Wheaton on KR

Jones will probably be cut in the near future
Yes, not much reason to keep him around if he's not playing special teams.

I'd like to see Jordan Todman get a chance on kickoffs. He did well in Jacksonville though a lot of that was probably just sheer bulk number of returns. I'd love to see how he does behind another team's blocking.

 
Dexter McCluster to IR with a broken wrist.

Raheem Mostert was cut by the Ravens today, so Kaelin Clay looks like the full time returner now.

Keshawn Martin handled both punts and kickoffs this week for the Patriots, did well on punts and had good blocking, average on kickoffs.

Texans went back to Cecil Shorts on punts and went with Akeem Hunt on kickoffs instead of Keith Mumphery.

 
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Hi Greg,

Although K. Martin looked good on returns for the most part last Sunday, he did fumble a punt and was replaced by Amendola on punts the rest of the game. Worried now that he may not get the opportunities again. Has there been any news on that?

Also, if Edelman comes back, could we see Amendola returning kickoffs again instead of Martin?

 
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Does Cooks do punts or kicks? I noticed he's projected for 3 yards this weekend? assuming punts?
I pretty much never have anyone projected for 100% of the returns, due to the uncertainty. I originally had Cooks as a 5% chance on punts and kickoffs so that's where those yards come from. He's probably on punts going forward now though with Murphy gone.

 
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Hi Greg,

Although K. Martin looked good on returns for the most part last Sunday, he did fumble a punt and was replaced by Amendola on punts the rest of the game. Worried now that he may not get the opportunities again. Has there been any news on that?

Also, if Edelman comes back, could we see Amendola returning kickoffs again instead of Martin?
I'm also very curious if there's been any word out of NE or any practice reports on who has return duties.
I didn't see any news out there, and it would have been surprising if there had been from most teams, but especially the Patriots.

 
Hi Greg,

Are you thinking that Kaelin Clay would be a good play this week against the Steelers? With the Steelers offense, there should be a lot of kickoffs and the Steelers kicker hasn't exactly been Mr. Touchback. Will he get enough opportunities as a punt and kick returner to justify playing him over a receiver like Martavis Bryant? 1pt per 10 yards and 5 bonus points for over 100 total return yards and 10 bonus points after hitting 150.

 
Not sure where to put this question... But was wondering if anyone has ever returned a post-safety free kick for a TD in NFL history?

 

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