Jeff Feagles holds the NFL career record for most punts with 1,713.

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 punts in the National Football League (NFL) goes back to 1939.

To be eligible for career-long rankings, a player must have a minimum of 250 punts.[1] After his 22 seasons as an NFL punter, Jeff Feagles retired with 1,713 punts, the NFL's career record.[2][3] Feagles is the only punter to eclipse 1,500 career punts; a total of 24 players have reached 1,000 punts during their career. Feagles set the career record for total punts while playing for the New York Giants in 2005, when he recorded his 1,368th, surpassing Sean Landeta.[4] With 1,168 punts for the Baltimore Ravens, Sam Koch has the most career punts for any individual franchise. The Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders are the only two franchises with two different players to record 1,000 punts for their teams.

Punting is a strategy in American football designed to put the opposing team at a disadvantage by dealing them with poor field position. As such, landing punts close to the receiving team's end zone is highly desired by the punting team. While techniques and strategies (such as the coffin corner punt) are utilized in this context, a punt that enters the end zone can result in a touchback if downed by the receiving team without the ball being advanced beyond their goal line. When a touchback occurs, the ball is placed at the 20-yard line.[5] As such, the ratio of inside-the-20 punts to touchbacks is of consideration.[6][7] The NFL began officially tracking punts landed inside the 20-yard line and those resulting in touchbacks in 1976.[6]

Feagles holds the record for punts landing inside opponents' 20-yard line with 554.[3] Shane Lechler holds the record for punting touchbacks with 178.[8]

Career punts leaders

Key
^ Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Denotes player who is still active
Rank Player Team(s) by season Punts
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
2 Andy Lee San Francisco 49ers (2004–2014)
Cleveland Browns (2015)
Carolina Panthers (2016)
Arizona Cardinals (2017–2022) 		1,466
3 Shane Lechler Oakland Raiders (2000–2012)
Houston Texans (2013–2017) 		1,444
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
5 Brad Maynard New York Giants (1997–2000)
Chicago Bears (2001–2010)
Cleveland Browns (2011) 		1,339
6 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
7 Dustin Colquitt Kansas City Chiefs (2005–2019)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2020)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2020)
Atlanta Falcons (2021)
Cleveland Browns (2021) 		1,198
8 Chris Gardocki Chicago Bears (1991–1994)
Indianapolis Colts (1995–1998)
Cleveland Browns (1999–2003)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2006) 		1,177
9 Sam Koch Baltimore Ravens (2006–2021) 1,168
10 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
11 Dave Jennings New York Giants (1974–1984)
New York Jets (1985–1987) 		1,154
12 Chris Mohr Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1989)
Buffalo Bills (1991–2000)
Atlanta Falcons (2001–2004) 		1,152
13 Craig Hentrich Green Bay Packers (1994–1997)
Tennessee Oilers / Titans (1999–2009) 		1,150
14 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
15 Rohn Stark Baltimore Colts (1982–1983)
Indianapolis Colts (1984–1994)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1995)
Carolina Panthers (1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997) 		1,141
16 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
17 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
18 John James Atlanta Falcons (1972–1981)
Detroit Lions (1982)
Houston Oilers (1982–1984) 		1,083
19 Jerrel Wilson Kansas City Chiefs (1963–1977)
New England Patriots (1978 		1,072
20 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
21 Dan Stryzinski Pittsburgh Steelers (1990–1991)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1992–1994)
Atlanta Falcons (1995–2000)
Kansas City Chiefs (2001–2002)
New York Jets (2003) 		1,055
22 Ray Guy^ Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders (1973–1986) 1,049
23 Rich Camarillo New England Patriots (1981–1987)
Los Angeles Rams (1988)
Phoenix Cardinals (1989–1993)
Houston Oilers (1994–1995)
Oakland Raiders (1996) 		1,027
24 Kevin Huber Cincinnati Bengals (2009–2022) 1,011
25 Brett Kern Denver Broncos (2008–2009)
Tennessee Titans (2009–2021)
Philadelphia Eagles (2022) 		1,006
26 Mike Horan Philadelphia Eagles (1984–1985)
Denver Broncos (1986–1992)
New York Giants (1993–1996)
St. Louis Rams (1997, 1999)
Chicago Bears (1998) 		1,003
Statistics accurate through the end of the 2022 NFL season
and gathered from Pro-Football-Reference.[9]

Most punts inside the 20-yard line

Dustin Colquitt has the second-most career inside-20 punts in NFL history.
Key
* Denotes player who is still active
Rank Player Team(s) by season In-20 Pct
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) 		554 32.3%
2 Dustin Colquitt Kansas City Chiefs (2005–2019)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2020)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2020)
Atlanta Falcons (2021)
Cleveland Browns (2021) 		483 40.3%
3 Andy Lee San Francisco 49ers (2004–2014)
Cleveland Browns (2015)
Carolina Panthers (2016)
Arizona Cardinals (2017–2022) 		476 32.5%
4 Shane Lechler Oakland Raiders (2000–2012)
Houston Texans (2013–2017) 		469 32.5%
5 Sam Koch Baltimore Ravens (2006–2021) 453 38.8%
6 Brad Maynard New York Giants (1997–2000)
Chicago Bears (2001–2010)
Cleveland Browns (2011) 		439 32.8%
7 Craig Hentrich Green Bay Packers (1994–1997)
Tennessee Oilers / Titans (1999–2009) 		399 34.7%
8 Brett Kern Denver Broncos (2008–2009)
Tennessee Titans (2009–2021)
Philadelphia Eagles (2022) 		396 39.3%
9 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) 		381 27.2%
10 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) 		379 32.8%
Statistics accurate through the end of the 2022 NFL season
and gathered from The Football Database.[10]

Career punting touchbacks leaders

Shane Lechler has the most career punts resulting in touchbacks in NFL history.
Key
^ Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Denotes player who is still active
Rank Player Team(s) by season TB
1 Shane Lechler Oakland Raiders (2000–2012)
Houston Texans (2013–2017) 		178
2 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) 		166
3 Craig Hentrich Green Bay Packers (1994–1997)
Tennessee Oilers / Titans (1999–2009) 		142
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) 		142
5 Rohn Stark Baltimore Colts (1982–1983)
Indianapolis Colts (1984–1994)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1995)
Carolina Panthers (1996)
Seattle Seahawks (1997) 		133
6 Andy Lee San Francisco 49ers (2004–2014)
Cleveland Browns (2015)
Carolina Panthers (2016)
Arizona Cardinals (2017–2022) 		132
7 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) 		129
8 Ray Guy^ Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders (1973–1986) 128
9 Jeff Feagles New England Patriots (1988–1989)
Philadelphia Eagles (1990–1993)
Arizona Cardinals (1994–1997)
Seattle Seahawks (1998–2002)
New York Giants (2003–2009) 		127
10 Reggie Roby Miami Dolphins (1983–1992)
Washington Redskins (1993–1994)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995)
Houston / Tennessee Oilers (1996–1997)
San Francisco 49ers (1998) 		112
Statistics accurate through the end of the 2022 NFL season
and gathered from The Football Database.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Minimum Requirements For Football Leaderboards". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  2. ^ Branch, John (May 1, 2010). "Jeff Feagles Retires After 1,713 Punts". The New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Giants' Feagles retires; NFL mark intact". ESPN. April 30, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  4. ^ "Giants' Feagles sets career punts record". New England Patriots. September 11, 2005. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  5. ^ Maske, Mark (March 23, 2016). "NFL owners approve 25-yard line touchback rule change, double unsportsmanlike conduct ejections". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  6. ^ a b 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. ^ Carter, Jayceon (January 16, 2011). "NFL: To Touchback or Not to Touchback, That Is the Question". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  8. ^ "NFL Career Leaders – Punting Touchbacks". The Football Database. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  9. ^ "NFL Punts Career Leaders (since 1939)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  10. ^ "NFL Career Leaders – Punting Net Average". The Football Database. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  11. ^ "NFL Career Leaders – Punting Touchbacks". The Football Database. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
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