Top 20 Series. There are many ways in which a player's success in the NFL is measured. One of the most obvious is a comparison of statistics. Each week during the NFL's regular season Profootballhof.com featured updated Top 20 lists for four main statistical categories.
Here, thanks to the help of Elias Sports Bureau, is an expanded look at Top 20 leaders in multiple NFL statistical categories. Check out where today’s stars compare to NFL greats at the start of the 2013 NFL Season. | Return to Top 20 at the Start of 2013>>>
CAREER NOTES. New York Jets RB/KR Joe McKnight entered the Top 20 list after reaching the career minimum of 75 kickoffs to qualify. McKnight has 1,000 return yards and a TD in the last two of his three seasons in the NFL. His career average of 29.01 places him third all-time.
2012 LEADER: Jacoby Jones, Baltimore Ravens (30.7 average - 38 returns for 1,167 yards)
SINGLE-SEASON NFL RECORD: Travis Williams, Green Bay Packers (41.06 average - 18 returns for 739 yards in 1967)
Kick Return Average (at start of 2013 NFL Season)
| 1 | Gale Sayers* | 30.56 |
| 2 | Lynn Chandnois | 29.57 |
| 3 | Joe McKnight | 29.01 |
| 4 | Abe Woodson | 28.69 |
| 5 | Buddy Young | 27.93 |
| 6 | Percy Harvin | 27.92 |
| 7 | Travis Williams | 27.46 |
| 8 | Joe Arenas | 27.32 |
| 9 | Clifton Smith | 27.17 |
| 10 | Clarence Davis | 27.09 |
| 11 | Danieal Manning | 26.83 |
| 12 | Steve Van Buren* | 26.71 |
| 13 | Lenny Lyles | 26.68 |
| 14 | Mercury Morris | 26.55 |
| 15 | Ellis Hobbs | 26.52 |
| 16 | Bobby Jancik | 26.49 |
| 17 | Leodis McKelvin | 26.45 |
| 18 | Mel Renfro* | 26.42 |
| 19 | Bobby Mitchell* | 26.37 |
| 20 | Terrence McGee | 26.33 |
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* Pro Football Hall of Fame member |