NFL

Ranking the top 5 punters, kickers, returners in 2021 NFL Draft

The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy gives his top 5 punters, kickers and returners in the 2021 NFL Draft:

Punters

  1. Max Duffy, Kentucky, 6-0, 196 pounds

Ray Guy Award winner as nation’s top punter in 2019. Averaged school-record 46 yards per punt over 34 career games. On track to graduate with a master’s degree in kinesiology and health promotion.

  1. James Smith, Cincinnati, 6-0, 231 pounds

Australian native who joined Duffy, a fellow Aussie, at the Senior Bowl after averaging 43.8 yards per punt last season. Had separate streaks of 44, 68 and 81 straight punts without a touchback.

  1. Pressley Harvin, Georgia Tech, 6-3, 263 pounds

Leg of a punter, body of a linebacker, arm of a quarterback? Ray Guy winner in 2020 set the ACC record with 48 net yards per punt, but also threw a 43-yard dime on a fake in 2019.

NFL Draft
Kentucky punter Max Duffy AP
  1. Drue Chrisman, Ohio State, 6-0, 209 pounds

Gets big hang time, helping coverage get down field and down the ball inside the 20. Upped his career average with 45 yards per punt last season.

  1. Oscar Bradburn, Virginia Tech, 6-0, 216 pounds

Australian native with a big leg, including 49 career punts of at least 50 yards. Averaged 43.5 yards per punt over his career, forcing 103 fair catches.

Kickers

  1. Evan McPherson, Florida, 5-11, 185 pounds

SEC career record-holder with 85 percent field-goal conversion rate (51-of-60), including school-record four from 50-plus yards in 2020. Missed just one of 150 career PATs.

  1. Jose Borregales, Miami, 5-10, 206 pounds

Lou Groza Award winner as nation’s top kicker in lone season at Miami. Made all 11 field goals inside 40 yards and 9 of 11 from deeper than 40. All-time leading scorer for Florida International.

  1. Riley Patterson, Memphis, 5-10, 181 pounds

Made 78 percent of field goals (64-of-82) with a long of 56, and 240 of 246 PATs. Averaged 61 yards per kickoff, with 162 touchbacks on 295 opportunities.

  1. Quinn Nordin, Michigan, 6-0, 193 pounds

Program’s career leader in 40-plus-yard field goals (14) and tied for record from 50-plus (four). Made 72 percent of field goals (42-of-58), but just two of five in 2020.

  1. Alex Kessman, Pittsburgh, 6-0, 190 pounds

Set NCAA career record (minimum 15 attempts) by making 66.7 percent of 50-yard field goals (12-of-18). Set Heinz Field record longest field goal (by collegian or NFL) with a 55-yarder.

Returners

  1. WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama, 5-9, 180 pounds

Combination of speed and twitch isn’t just dangerous on deep passes. Top 15-caliber pick averaged 19.3 yards per punt return and 26.8 yards per kickoff return with three combined touchdowns.

  1. CB Avery Williams, Boise State, 5-8, 187 pounds

Worth a late-round flyer for special teams impact. Nine career return touchdowns (five punts, three kickoffs and a blocked punt) and five career blocked kicks. Top-12 in punt and kickoff return yardage in 2020.

  1. WR D’Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan, 5-9, 190 pounds

MAC Special Teams Player of the Year and finalist for Hornung Award as nation’s most versatile player in 2020, when he averaged 28.8 yards per kickoff return. Mid-round projection.

  1. WR Kadarius Toney, Florida, 5-11, 193 pounds

Upped his grade to a first-rounder when he became the featured returner in 2020, with 12.6 yards on punts and 15.4 per kickoff.

  1. WR Dazz Newsome, North Carolina, 5-10, 190 pounds

Averaged 11.1 yards and scored a touchdown as Pro Football Focus’ fifth-highest-graded punt returner over the past three seasons. Mid-round projection.