Punters are often somewhat ignored in team building because they don't score points on their own. But they are often the team's kick holders, and when you need a quality punt, it's great to have a punter worth their salt.
\We surveyed a group of writers around SB Nation to gather a consensus ranking of the players available.
Players who re-sign with their current team will be removed from the list until free agency begins in March.
8. Ryan Wright, Minnesota Vikings (RFA)
Wright, who received a whopping four points on one of our ballots, averaged 41.6 new yards per punt in three years in Minnesota, but only 40.5 in 2024. A right of first refusal would cost nearly $3.2 million, so Wright is unlikely to get it. He was tendered as a restricted free agent. He will turn 25 this offseason.
7. JK Scott, Los Angeles Chargers
He got the first place vote on one of our ballots, but was pretty low on the rest. He is out of a two-year, $4 million contract and will turn 28 during the 2024 season. In three seasons with the Chargers, he averaged 41.7 net yards per punt.
6. Riley Dixon, Denver Broncos
Dixon, who ranked No. 3 in our poll, averaged 42 net yards per punt in 2024, the second-highest mark of his career. He turns 32 this offseason, but many punters could be in their mid-30s. He is coming off a two-year, $3.5 million contract.
5. Ryan Stonehouse, Tennessee Titans (RFA)
Stonehouse had the worst season of his career in 2024, averaging just 38.3 net yards per punt after consecutive 43+ yards. First-rejection rights cost about $3.2 million, so Stonehouse is unlikely to be tendered as a restricted free agent. He will turn 26 this offseason.
4. Jamie Gillan, New York Giants
Guillain, who signed a two-year, $4 million contract, is one of the younger players on our list, turning 28 in July. He is coming off a season in which he gained just 40.5 net yards per punt and recorded just two touchbacks.
3. Washington State Tresway Commanders
There were two votes for second place, and another vote for eighth place. He became the NFL's third-highest-paid punter in 2024 at more than $3.4 million and received a four-year contract extension. He has played in every game for the past 11 seasons with Washington since signing during the 2014 offseason, and will turn 35 in April. His stats are as good as ever, averaging around 43 net yards per attempt in 2024.
2. Johnny Hekker, Carolina Panthers
Although it received the most first place votes in our poll, it came in 7th place in another poll, knocking it out of the top spot. He will celebrate his 35th birthday in February, but his career average in 2024 was 41.5 yards per attempt, just short of his career average. He signed a three-year, $7.6 million contract.
1. Brian Unger, Dallas Cowboys
Although he didn't receive a first place vote, he did come in second or third place in every vote, so that consistency is what earned him the top spot on the list. The 13-year NFL veteran made two Pro Bowl appearances and was named second-team All-Pro twice in his four years with the Cowboys. He has averaged over 41 net yards per punt for six years. He will finish a three-year, $9 million contract as the league's fourth-highest-paid player.
