When evaluating the key contributors in the realm of football, often the spotlight favors quarterbacks and receivers. However, punters play an indispensable role in shaping the direction of the game through strategic field positioning.
This list delves into the 15 best punters in NFL history, celebrating their precision, power, and legacy that have made substantial impacts on the field.
15. Michael Dickson
Michael Dickson has quickly become one of the NFL’s elite punters since joining the Seattle Seahawks in 2018. The Australian native boasts a career average of 48.2 yards per punt, with his best season in 2023 averaging 50.0 yards. Dickson’s precision and powerful leg have earned him Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro honors.
14. Donnie Jones
Donnie Jones played 15 seasons in the NFL, averaging an impressive 45.4 yards per punt. He set multiple franchise records with the Philadelphia Eagles, including the highest gross punting average (45.4 yards) and most punts inside the 20-yard line (138). Jones won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2018 before retiring.
13. Dave Jennings
Dave Jennings, a four-time Pro Bowler, played for the New York Giants and Jets from 1974 to 1987. He punted 1,154 times for 47,567 yards, maintaining an impressive 41.2-yard average. Jennings holds the Giants’ franchise records for punts (931) and yards (38,792), solidifying his place among the NFL’s elite punters.
12. Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee, known for his powerful leg and precision, played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2009 to 2016. He averaged 46.4 yards per punt over his career and was selected for two Pro Bowls. McAfee’s longest punt was an impressive 74 yards, showcasing his ability to flip field position.
11. Thomas Morstead
Thomas Morstead has been a consistent force in the NFL since 2009. Known for his powerful leg, he set a career-long punt of 75 yards in 2024 with the New York Jets. Morstead led the league in punting yards in 2023 with 4,831 and has maintained a career average of 46.8 yards per punt over 15 seasons.
10. Andy Lee
Andy Lee’s 19-year NFL career showcased exceptional punting skills. With a career average of 46.7 yards per punt and 68,405 total punting yards, Lee earned three Pro Bowl selections and three First-team All-Pro honors. His 2011 season was particularly outstanding, setting an NFL record with a 44.0 net yards per punt average.
9. Reggie Roby
Reggie Roby was a punting powerhouse in the NFL from 1983 to 1998. Known for his exceptional leg strength, Roby averaged 43.3 yards per punt over his 16-season career. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and named to the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team. Roby’s 77-yard punt remains one of the longest in league history.
8. Sean Landeta
Sean Landeta’s 22-season NFL career spanned from 1985 to 2006, making him one of the longest-tenured punters in league history. He averaged 43.3 yards per punt over 1,401 career punts, earning two Pro Bowl selections and two Super Bowl rings with the New York Giants. Landeta’s consistency and longevity solidify his place among the NFL’s elite punters.
7. Jeff Feagles
Jeff Feagles played an astounding 22 NFL seasons, never missing a game. He holds records for most consecutive games played (352), most punts (1,713), and most punting yards (71,211). Feagles mastered the “coffin corner” punt and earned two Pro Bowl selections. He retired in 2010 after winning a Super Bowl with the Giants.
6. Jerrel Wilson
Nicknamed “Thunderfoot,” Jerrel Wilson was a punting powerhouse for the Kansas City Chiefs. Over his 16-season career (1963-1978), Wilson averaged an impressive 43.0 yards per punt. He led the league in punting average four times and was selected to three Pro Bowls. Wilson’s booming kicks and consistency made him a vital weapon in the Chiefs’ arsenal for field position battles.
5. Yale Lary
Yale Lary, a Detroit Lions legend, was a dominant punter from 1952 to 1964. He led the NFL in punting three times and finished his career with a 44.3-yard average, ranking second in NFL history at retirement. Lary’s precision kicks often pinned opponents deep in their territory, earning him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
4. Sammy Baugh
Sammy Baugh was a versatile NFL legend who excelled as a punter, quarterback, and defensive back. He retired with the NFL record for highest career punting average (45.1 yards) and held the single-season record (51.4 yards in 1940) for 82 years until 2022. Baugh’s punting prowess complemented his Hall of Fame passing skills.
3. Johnny Hekker
Johnny Hekker, a four-time First-team All-Pro, has been a punting powerhouse since 2012. With a career average of 46.8 yards per punt and 378 punts inside the 20-yard line, Hekker’s precision is unmatched. In 2016, he set NFL records for punts downed inside the 20 (51) and net punting average (46.0 yards).
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2. Shane Lechler
Shane Lechler dominated the punting game for 18 seasons, boasting a career average of 47.6 yards per punt. He earned seven Pro Bowl selections and was named to the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Lechler’s powerful leg and precision made him one of the most feared punters in league history.
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1. Ray Guy
Ray Guy revolutionized punting in the NFL during his 14-year career with the Raiders. He averaged 42.4 yards per punt, led the league three times, and was selected to seven Pro Bowls. Guy became the first pure punter inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, cementing his legacy as the greatest punter in NFL history.
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