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. 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. 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. He later retired with 1,713 career punts, still the NFL record.

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.

A. J. Cole III holds the NFL's all-time yards per punt record (48.5).

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. 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. Logan Cooke holds the record for career net average (43.3), although Tommy Davis holds the unofficial record (44.5), having played prior to 1976, when the statistic began being officially tracked.

Career punting yards leaders + Key^ Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame* Denotes player who is still active Based on at least 40,000 punting yards.

RankPlayerTeam(s) by seasonPunts1Jeff FeaglesNew England Patriots (1988–1989)Philadelphia Eagles (1990–1993)Arizona Cardinals (1994–1997)Seattle Seahawks (1998–2002)New York Giants (2003–2009)1,71371,21141.62Shane LechlerOakland Raiders (2000–2012)Houston Texans (2013–2017)1,44468,67647.63Andy LeeSan Francisco 49ers (2004–2014)Cleveland Browns (2015)Carolina Panthers (2016)Arizona Cardinals (2017–2022)1,46668,40546.74Sean LandetaNew 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)1,40160,70743.35Brad MaynardNew York Giants (1997–2000)Chicago Bears (2001–2010)Cleveland Browns (2011)1,33956,02141.86Dustin ColquittKansas City Chiefs (2005–2019)Pittsburgh Steelers (2020)Jacksonville Jaguars (2020)Atlanta Falcons (2021)Cleveland Browns (2021)1,19853,66044.87Sam KochBaltimore Ravens (2006–2021)1,16852,86845.38Donnie JonesSeattle Seahawks (2004)Miami Dolphins (2005–2006)St. Louis Rams (2007–2011)Houston Texans (2012)Philadelphia Eagles (2013–2017)Los Angeles Chargers (2018)1,15752,49045.49Lee JohnsonHouston Oilers (1985–1987)Cleveland Browns (1987–1988)Cincinnati Bengals (1988–1998)New England Patriots (1999–2001)Minnesota Vikings (2001)Philadelphia Eagles (2002)1,22651,97942.410Chris GardockiChicago Bears (1991–1994)Indianapolis Colts (1995–1998)Cleveland Browns (1999–2003)Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2006)1,17750,33642.811Rohn StarkBaltimore Colts (1982–1983)Indianapolis Colts (1984–1994)Pittsburgh Steelers (1995)Carolina Panthers (1996)Seattle Seahawks (1997)1,14149,47143.412Craig HentrichGreen Bay Packers (1994–1997)Tennessee Oilers / Titans (1999–2009)1,15049,28142.913Johnny Hekker*St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams (2012–2021)Carolina Panthers (2022–2024)Tennessee Titans (2025)Minnesota Vikings (2026-present)1,04949,07746.814Matt TurkWashington Redskins (1995–1999)Miami Dolphins (2000–2001, 2003–2005)New York Jets (2002)St. Louis Rams (2006)Houston Texans (2007–2011)Jacksonville Jaguars (2011)1,14348,41442.415Bryan BarkerKansas City Chiefs (1990–1993)Philadelphia Eagles (1994)Jacksonville Jaguars (1995–2000)Washington Redskins (2001–2003)Green Bay Packers (2004)St. Louis Rams (2005)1,13247,64142.116Dave JenningsNew York Giants (1974–1984)New York Jets (1985–1987)1,15447,56741.217Mark RoyalsPhiladelphia 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)1,11647,02142.118Thomas MorsteadNew Orleans Saints (2009–2020)New York Jets (2021, 2023–2024)Miami Dolphins (2022)San Francisco 49ers (2025)1,00446,86346.719Chris MohrTampa Bay Buccaneers (1989)Buffalo Bills (1991–2000)Atlanta Falcons (2001–2004)1,15246,57040.420Jerrel WilsonKansas City Chiefs (1963–1977)New England Patriots (1978)1,07246,13943.021Brett KernDenver Broncos (2008–2009)Tennessee Titans (2009–2021)Philadelphia Eagles (20221,00646,13645.922Kevin HuberCincinnati Bengals (2009–2022)1,01145,76645.323Brian Hansen New Orleans Saints (1984–1988)New England Patriots (1990) Cleveland Browns (1991–1993)New York Jets (1994–1998)Washington Redskins (1999)1,05744,70042.324Ray Guy^Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders (1973–1986)1,04944,49342.425Bryan Anger*Jacksonville Jaguars (2012–2015)Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2016–2018)Houston Texans (2019–2020)Dallas Cowboys (2021–present)93644,03147.026John JamesAtlanta Falcons (1972–1981)Detroit Lions (1982)Houston Oilers (1982–1984)1,08343,99240.627Rich CamarilloNew England Patriots (1981–1987)Los Angeles Rams (1988)Phoenix Cardinals (1989–1993)Houston Oilers (1994–1995)Oakland Raiders (1996)1,02743,89542.728Reggie RobyMiami Dolphins (1983–1992) Washington Redskins (1993–1994) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995) Houston Oilers (1996) Tennessee Oilers (1997)San Francisco 49ers (1998)99242,95143.329Brian MoormanBuffalo Bills (2001–2012), 2013Dallas Cowboys (2012)97942,86743.830Mike HoranPhiladelphia Eagles (1984–1985)Denver Broncos (1986–1992)New York Giants (1993–1996)St. Louis Rams (1997, 1999)Chicago Bears (1998)1,00342,28642.231Dan StryzinskiPittsburgh Steelers (1990–1991)Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1992–1994) Atlanta Falcons (1995–2000)Kansas City Chiefs (2001–2002)New York Jets (2003)1,05542,07239.932Bobby Joe GreenPittsburgh Steelers (1960–1961)Chicago Bears (1962–1973)97041,31742.633Jon RyanGreen Bay Packers (2006–2007) Seattle Seahawks (2008–2017)91440,88344.734Jeff GossettKansas City Chiefs (1981–1982) Cleveland Browns (1983, 1985–1987) Houston Oilers (1987) Los Angeles Raiders / Oakland (1988–1996)98240,56941.335Bobby WaldenMinnesota Vikings (1964–1967) Pittsburgh Steelers (1968–1977)97440,52941.6

Career punting average leaders + Key* Denotes player who is still active† Denotes player's statistics are unofficial

Yards per punt Yards per punt Rank Player Team(s) by season 1 A. J. Cole III* Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders (2019–present) 48.5 2 Jack Fox* Detroit Lions (2020–present) 48.4 3 Blake Gillikin* New Orleans Saints (2020–2022)Arizona Cardinals (2023–present) 48.4 4 Michael Dickson* Seattle Seahawks (2018–present) 48.2 5 Ryan Wright* Minnesota Vikings (2022–2025)New Orleans Saints (2026–present) 47.7 6 Tommy Townsend* Kansas City Chiefs (2020–2023)Houston Texans (2024–2025)Tennessee Titans (–present) 47.7 7 Shane Lechler Oakland Raiders (2000–2012)Houston Texans (2013–2017) 47.6 8 Logan Cooke* Jacksonville Jaguars (2018–present) 47.5 9 Braden Mann* New York Jets (2020–2022)Philadelphia Eagles (2023–present) 47.3 10 Cameron Johnston* Philadelphia Eagles (2017–2020)Houston Texans (2021–2023)Pittsburgh Steelers (2024)Buffalo Bills (2025)New York Giants () Pittsburgh Steelers (–present) 47.3Statistics accurate through the 2026 NFL season and gathered from Pro-Football-Reference. Net yards per punt

Net yards per punt Rank Player Team(s) by season 1 Tommy Davis† San Francisco 49ers (1959–1969) 44.52 Yale Lary† Detroit Lions (1952–1953, 1956–1964) 43.9Sammy Baugh† Washington Redskins (1937–1952) 43.9 4 Dave Lewis† Cincinnati Bengals (1970–1973) 43.7 5 Jerry Norton† Philadelphia Eagles ()Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals ()Dallas Cowboys ()Green Bay Packers () 43.56 Logan Cooke* Jacksonville Jaguars (2018–present) 43.5Horace Gillom† Cleveland Browns (1947–1956) 43.38 Bob Scarpitto† San Diego Chargers (1961) Denver Broncos (1962–1967)Boston Patriots (1968) 43.2Don Chandler† New York Giants (–)Green Bay Packers (–) 43.2 10 Jack Fox* Detroit Lions (2020–present) 42.8Statistics accurate through the 2026 NFL season and gathered from The Football Database.

Career franchise punting yards leaders

+ Key* Denotes player who is still active‡ Franchise with punting leader on its current roster

TeamPlayerTenurePuntsRef.Arizona CardinalsScott Player1998–200771430,75243.1Atlanta FalconsJohn James1972–198187335,63340.8Baltimore RavensSam Koch2006–20211,16852,86845.3Buffalo BillsBrian Moorman2001–2012, 201392340,37043.7Carolina PanthersJason Baker2005–201257025,06444.0Chicago BearsBrad Maynard2001–201087836,78141.9Cincinnati BengalsKevin Huber2009–20221,01145,76645.3Cleveland BrownsDon Cockroft1968–198065126,26240.3Dallas CowboysMike Saxon1985–199259124,54241.5Denver BroncosTom Rouen1993–200264128,14643.9Detroit LionsNick Harris2003–201269429,85743.0Green Bay PackersDavid Beverly1975–198049518,78537.9Houston TexansShane Lechler2013–201743020,46347.6Indianapolis ColtsRohn Stark1982–199498543,16243.8Jacksonville JaguarsBryan Barker1995–200045619,84943.5Kansas City ChiefsDustin Colquitt2005–20191,12450,39344.8Las Vegas RaidersShane Lechler2000–20121,01448,21547.5Los Angeles ChargersMike Scifres2003–201675634,15245.2Los Angeles RamsJohnny Hekker*2012–202172733,95146.7Miami DolphinsBrandon Fields2007–201459427,78046.8Minnesota VikingsGreg Coleman1978–198772029,39140.8New England PatriotsRich Camarillo1981–198746819,92242.6New Orleans SaintsThomas Morstead2009–202069232,19046.5New York GiantsDave Jennings1974–198493138,79241.7New York JetsCurley Johnson1961–196853422,71842.5Philadelphia EaglesDonnie Jones2013–201737416,97145.4Pittsburgh SteelersBobby Walden1968–197771629,46241.1San Francisco 49ersAndy Lee2004–201594143,46846.2Seattle SeahawksJon Ryan2008–201877034,49244.8Tampa Bay BuccaneersJosh Bidwell2004–200941918,42644.0Tennessee TitansBrett Kern2009–202192342,33345.9Washington CommandersTress Way‡2014–present84639,73947.0Statistics accurate through the 2026 NFL season.

See also List of NFL annual punting yards leaders List of NFL career punts leaders

Notes

References