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. Arizona Cardinals CB/PR Patrick Peterson reached the required 75 returns to break into the Top 20 list. Peterson had 426 punt return yards on a league high 51 attempts for an average of 8.4 yards. He currently ranks eighth all-time.
2012 LEADER: Leodis McKelvin, Buffalo Bills (18.7 average - 23 returns for 431 yards, 2 TDs)
SINGLE-SEASON NFL RECORD: Herb Rich, Baltimore Colts (23.0 average - 12 returns for 276 yards in 1950)
Punt Return Average (at start of 2013 NFL Season)
| 1 | George McAfee* | 12.78 |
| 2 | Jack Christiansen* | 12.75 |
| 3 | Claude Gibson | 12.55 |
| 4 | Bill Dudley* | 12.22 |
| 5T | Devin Hester | 12.13 |
| 5T | Rick Upchurch | 12.13 |
| 7 | Desmond Howard | 11.86 |
| 8 | Patrick Peterson | 11.84 |
| 9 | Billy Johnson | 11.76 |
| 10 | Mack Herron* | 11.69 |
| 11 | Roscoe Parrish | 11.64 |
| 12 | Bill Thompson | 11.55 |
| 13 | Darrien Gordon | 11.47 |
| 14 | Santana Moss | 11.32 |
| 15T | Henry Ellard | 11.31 |
| 15T | Rodger Bird | 11.31 |
| 17 | Bosh Pritchard | 11.28 |
| 18 | Terry Metcalf | 11.14 |
| 19T | Bob Hayes* | 11.13 |
| 19T | Jermaine Lewis | 11.13 |
* Pro Football Hall of Fame member
Bold - players active during 2012 season
Top 20 lists courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau