2026 SPECIAL TEAMS

NUMERICAL RATINGS/DRAFT VALUE EXPLANATION  KICKERS/PUNTERS/RETURNERS/LONG SNAPPERS

90-100 Elite player, Yearly in All Pro debate Top 3 player at position, perenial Pro Bowler 15+ year career at elite level. In HOF conversation. NEVER misses EP's. Does not miss under 50 yards, has range to 60+, kickoffs non returnable, consistent and reliable in any and all weather and pressure conditions,  KR's must be threat every time they touch the ball, force the other team to great measures to keep the ball away from them, RARE PLAYER!!!  Late 1st through 3rd round

80-89  Solid player with Flaws that can be overcome with a few years of patience, good coaching, and personal  work ethic. will be the starter but the team will always be looking for a better option. some have a long career, most  likely  4/6 year career max at best level in most cases, then on the bubble year to year. And new teams year to year  Draft 4th through 6th round

70-79   Developmental Practice squad player,could develop into the starter with tenacity and patience, K/P's must have a big leg or be a solid return specialist. Likely just on roster a year or two at best. 1 in 50 can beat the odds and have a longer career.Draft 7th round or Priority Free Agent (PFA)

60-69  Player on the practice squad at best when team needs a body could be active for a couple games due to injuries. or special teams ability. Not long for the team. Week to Week. 1 in 100 will carve out a longer career due to incredible diligence and tenacity. Likely will sign with several teams over a few years. Teams will lead these guys on often knowing they will never play a down for them. Better not completely leave school before graduation that degree will be necessary.Free Agents only.  (UDFA)

Under 60  Training camp body at best, HOPE YOU GOT YOUR DEGREE!!! THE REAL WORLD IS COMING!!!!!!!!! Players with some skills or perhaps tremendous intangables worthy of a Camp Invite, 1 in 500 make something  more out of this. Frankly,GM's who sign these guys for anything more than a camp body will be looking for work soon.
 

                                                          PLACE KICKERS 

  Although Kickers are often the direct difference between winning and losing, they are still treated as non-important cogs in the Football Machine.  Top kickers are rarely taken above 5th round and cursed if the miss any kick. 

2026 KICKER OVERVIEW: B-

                           2026 PLACE KICKER RANKINGS/CLASS GRADE 

RK                    NAME               SCH      Ht     Wt    Rtg   RND                         

1.Dominic Zvada               Mich     6-3    180     87   Early 5th

2.Drew Stevens                 Iowa      6-0   205     75   Mid 7th

3.Trey Smack                       Fla         6-1   205     72   PFA

4.Will Ferrin                         BYU       6-3   175      70   PFA

5.Laith Marjan                    Kan       6-2   210      68   UDFA

6.Noah Burnette             NDme    5-10  175     65   UDFA

7.Kansel Matsuzawa      Haw       6-2   200      62  UDFA

8.Nate Reed                        Del          6-2   180     58   UDFA

9.Andrew Brown            NCAT      5-10  185     55   UDFA

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                        2026 PUNTER CLASS GRADE                                     

                                          PUNTERS

 Much like the Kickers the Punter is a highly underappreciated. Only making news when they have a bad day or hell even one bad kick and then they are hung out to dry. I'm not of the Jim Tressel mod, ya know, "the punt is the most important play of the game" but the Punter is vital to the game, and a good one can gain a team many yards over a game and a season, and a bad one can cost a team games plain and simple!   

2026 PUNTER OVERVIEW:     

                                    PUNTER RANKINGS/CLASS GRADE C+

RK                    NAME               SCH      Ht     Wt    Rtg   RND                          

1.Brett Thorson                     Ga      6-2   235     85    Late 5th

2.Ryan Eckley                  MichSt    6-2   207     82    Mid 6th

3.Wes Paul                          OlkSt      6-5   205     77   Mid 7th

4.Aiden Laros                     Ky           6-2   218     68   UDFA

5.Devin Bale                      Ark          6-3   205     65    UDFA

6.Jack Stonehouse        Syr          6-1   215     64    UDFA

7.Cole Maynard               WKy        6-1   180     60    UDFA

8.Tommy Doman             Fla          6-4   215      58   UDFA

9.Ethan Craw                    TCU        6-3   220      55   UDFA

10.Evan Crenshaw       Troy         6-4   192     52    UDFA

    2026      KICK RETURN SPECIALISTS/CLASS GRADE 

With new NFL rules on KO's this position that was formally viewed as a Punt return position now is dual purpose, no longer will teams carry someone to just return KO's. True KR Specialists are becoming very rare; these players will need to be a position player with back up capabilities at the least and being able to contribute on all other special teams will be a MAJOR plus. All of these players are rated by their KR ability and position playing viability. Any GM who drafts a player without any position playing ability is LAZY and needs a new vocation. Barring Devon Hester returning I will defend that statement staunchly.    

          KICK RETURN SPECIALIST RANKINGS/CLASS GRADE

RK                    NAME               SCH      Ht     Wt    Rtg   RND                         

1.Kaden Wetjen                  Iowa    5-9    196     90

2.Caulin Lacy                        Lou     5-10  190     88

3.Jacob DeJesus                 Cal       5-7    170     85

4.Zach Branch                        Ga     5-10   175    84

5.Kevin Concepcion     TxA&M  5-11   187     83

6.Barion Brown                  LSU     6-1     182     78

7.Hank Beatty                     ILL     5-10    185      75

8.Michael Jackson           Pur     6-0      205      70

9.Zavion Thomas             LSU    5-10    192      68

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                                              2025 LONG SNAPPERS/CLASS GRADE  

    I'm no longer ranking this position.

                             LONG SNAPPER RANKINGS

RK                    NAME                         SCH            Ht          Wt              RND