The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy gives his top 5 punters, kickers and returners in the 2021 NFL Draft:
Punters
- Max Duffy, Kentucky, 6-0, 196 pounds
Ray Guy Award winner as nation’s top punter in 2019. Averaged school-record 46 yards per punt over 34 career games. On track to graduate with a master’s degree in kinesiology and health promotion.
- James Smith, Cincinnati, 6-0, 231 pounds
Australian native who joined Duffy, a fellow Aussie, at the Senior Bowl after averaging 43.8 yards per punt last season. Had separate streaks of 44, 68 and 81 straight punts without a touchback.
- Pressley Harvin, Georgia Tech, 6-3, 263 pounds
Leg of a punter, body of a linebacker, arm of a quarterback? Ray Guy winner in 2020 set the ACC record with 48 net yards per punt, but also threw a 43-yard dime on a fake in 2019.
- Drue Chrisman, Ohio State, 6-0, 209 pounds
Gets big hang time, helping coverage get down field and down the ball inside the 20. Upped his career average with 45 yards per punt last season.
- Oscar Bradburn, Virginia Tech, 6-0, 216 pounds
Australian native with a big leg, including 49 career punts of at least 50 yards. Averaged 43.5 yards per punt over his career, forcing 103 fair catches.
Kickers
- Evan McPherson, Florida, 5-11, 185 pounds
SEC career record-holder with 85 percent field-goal conversion rate (51-of-60), including school-record four from 50-plus yards in 2020. Missed just one of 150 career PATs.
- Jose Borregales, Miami, 5-10, 206 pounds
Lou Groza Award winner as nation’s top kicker in lone season at Miami. Made all 11 field goals inside 40 yards and 9 of 11 from deeper than 40. All-time leading scorer for Florida International.
- Riley Patterson, Memphis, 5-10, 181 pounds
Made 78 percent of field goals (64-of-82) with a long of 56, and 240 of 246 PATs. Averaged 61 yards per kickoff, with 162 touchbacks on 295 opportunities.
- Quinn Nordin, Michigan, 6-0, 193 pounds
Program’s career leader in 40-plus-yard field goals (14) and tied for record from 50-plus (four). Made 72 percent of field goals (42-of-58), but just two of five in 2020.
- Alex Kessman, Pittsburgh, 6-0, 190 pounds
Set NCAA career record (minimum 15 attempts) by making 66.7 percent of 50-yard field goals (12-of-18). Set Heinz Field record longest field goal (by collegian or NFL) with a 55-yarder.
Returners
- WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama, 5-9, 180 pounds
Combination of speed and twitch isn’t just dangerous on deep passes. Top 15-caliber pick averaged 19.3 yards per punt return and 26.8 yards per kickoff return with three combined touchdowns.
- CB Avery Williams, Boise State, 5-8, 187 pounds
Worth a late-round flyer for special teams impact. Nine career return touchdowns (five punts, three kickoffs and a blocked punt) and five career blocked kicks. Top-12 in punt and kickoff return yardage in 2020.
- WR D’Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan, 5-9, 190 pounds
MAC Special Teams Player of the Year and finalist for Hornung Award as nation’s most versatile player in 2020, when he averaged 28.8 yards per kickoff return. Mid-round projection.
- WR Kadarius Toney, Florida, 5-11, 193 pounds
Upped his grade to a first-rounder when he became the featured returner in 2020, with 12.6 yards on punts and 15.4 per kickoff.
- WR Dazz Newsome, North Carolina, 5-10, 190 pounds
Averaged 11.1 yards and scored a touchdown as Pro Football Focus’ fifth-highest-graded punt returner over the past three seasons. Mid-round projection.