2026 SPECIAL TEAMS
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:
2026 PLACE KICKER RANKINGS/CLASS GRADE C
Rank Name Sch Ht Wt Rtg Rnd Value
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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 Value
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 draft round value by their position Player rating if it differs as this will determine their value to NFL teams.
KICK RETURN SPECIALIST RANKINGS/CLASS GRADE
Rk Name Sch Ht Wt Rtg Pos Rnd Value
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2025 LONG SNAPPERS/CLASS GRADE
I'm no longer ranking this position.
LONG SNAPPER RANKINGS
Rk Name Sch Ht Wt Rtg Rnd Value
1.