NFL Kick Return Yards Career Leaders (since 1941)
Build your own custom leaderboards with Stathead Football.
+ Indicates Hall of Famer
Leaders
Rank | Player | Yds | Years | Tm |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brian Mitchell | 14,014 | 1990-2003 | 3TM |
2 | Allen Rossum | 11,947 | 1998-2009 | 6TM |
3 | Josh Cribbs | 11,113 | 2005-2014 | 3TM |
4 | Mel Gray | 10,250 | 1986-1997 | 4TM |
5 | Dante Hall | 10,136 | 2000-2008 | 2TM |
6 | Glyn Milburn | 9,788 | 1993-2001 | 4TM |
7 | Michael Bates | 9,110 | 1993-2003 | 6TM |
8 | Darren Sproles | 8,352 | 2005-2019 | 3TM |
9 | Cordarrelle Patterson | 7,989 | 2013-2023 | 5TM |
10 | Desmond Howard | 7,959 | 1992-2002 | 5TM |
11 | Leon Washington | 7,553 | 2006-2014 | 4TM |
12 | Devin Hester+ | 7,333 | 2006-2016 | 4TM |
13 | Kevin Williams | 7,309 | 1993-2000 | 4TM |
14 | Tyrone Hughes | 6,999 | 1993-1998 | 3TM |
15 | Ron Smith | 6,922 | 1965-1974 | 5TM |
16 | Ted Ginn Jr. | 6,899 | 2007-2020 | 6TM |
17 | Andre Roberts | 6,751 | 2010-2022 | 9TM |
18 | Chris Carr | 6,276 | 2005-2013 | 5TM |
19 | Michael Lewis | 5,989 | 2001-2007 | 2TM |
20 | Brandon Tate | 5,890 | 2009-2018 | 4TM |
21 | Eric Metcalf | 5,813 | 1989-2002 | 7TM |
22 | Eddie Drummond | 5,811 | 2002-2007 | 2TM |
23 | Dave Meggett | 5,566 | 1989-1998 | 3TM |
24 | Abe Woodson | 5,538 | 1958-1966 | 2TM |
25 | Corey Harris | 5,528 | 1992-2003 | 6TM |
26 | Rock Cartwright | 5,450 | 2002-2011 | 2TM |
Terrence McGee | 5,450 | 2003-2012 | buf | |
28 | Tamarick Vanover | 5,422 | 1995-2002 | 2TM |
29 | Dexter Carter | 5,412 | 1990-1996 | 2TM |
30 | Bruce Harper | 5,407 | 1977-1984 | nyj |
31 | Chad Morton | 5,401 | 2000-2006 | 4TM |
32 | Terrence Wilkins | 5,091 | 1999-2006 | 2TM |
33 | Herschel Walker | 5,084 | 1986-1997 | 4TM |
34 | Jacoby Jones | 4,940 | 2007-2015 | 4TM |
35 | Vai Sikahema | 4,933 | 1986-1993 | 3TM |
36 | Maurice Hicks | 4,932 | 2004-2008 | 2TM |
37 | Clarence Verdin | 4,930 | 1986-1994 | 3TM |
38 | Reggie Swinton | 4,919 | 2001-2005 | 3TM |
39 | Rod Woodson+ | 4,894 | 1987-2003 | 4TM |
40 | Charlie Rogers | 4,877 | 1999-2003 | 3TM |
41 | Andre' Davis | 4,821 | 2002-2009 | 4TM |
42 | Al Carmichael | 4,798 | 1953-1961 | 2TM |
43 | Timmy Brown | 4,781 | 1959-1968 | 3TM |
44 | Tim Dwight | 4,753 | 1998-2007 | 5TM |
45 | Dick James | 4,676 | 1956-1965 | 3TM |
46 | Jermaine Lewis | 4,611 | 1996-2004 | 3TM |
47 | David Dunn | 4,597 | 1995-2001 | 4TM |
48 | Ronney Jenkins | 4,550 | 2000-2003 | 2TM |
49 | Speedy Duncan | 4,539 | 1964-1974 | 2TM |
50 | Ron Brown | 4,493 | 1984-1991 | 2TM |
51 | Andre Coleman | 4,466 | 1994-1998 | 3TM |
52 | Steve Odom | 4,451 | 1974-1979 | 2TM |
53 | Alvin Haymond | 4,438 | 1964-1973 | 5TM |
54 | Dennis Gentry | 4,353 | 1982-1992 | chi |
55 | Stefan Logan | 4,343 | 2009-2012 | 2TM |
56 | Larry Anderson | 4,217 | 1978-1984 | 2TM |
57 | Dwayne Harris | 4,204 | 2011-2020 | 4TM |
58 | Bobby Jancik | 4,185 | 1962-1967 | oti |
59 | Josh Scobey | 4,160 | 2003-2007 | 3TM |
60 | Wes Welker | 4,138 | 2004-2015 | 5TM |
61 | Qadry Ismail | 4,135 | 1993-2002 | 5TM |
62 | Mike Nelms | 4,128 | 1980-1984 | was |
63 | Percy Harvin | 4,127 | 2009-2016 | 4TM |
64 | Kevin Faulk | 4,098 | 1999-2011 | nwe |
65 | LaRod Stephens-Howling | 4,092 | 2009-2013 | 2TM |
66 | Steve Broussard | 4,060 | 1990-1998 | 3TM |
67 | Eric Weems | 4,030 | 2007-2017 | 3TM |
68 | Stump Mitchell | 4,007 | 1981-1989 | crd |
69 | Justin Miller | 3,966 | 2005-2012 | 3TM |
70 | Aaron Stecker | 3,934 | 2000-2009 | 3TM |
71 | Dwight Stone | 3,927 | 1987-2000 | 3TM |
72 | MarTay Jenkins | 3,865 | 1999-2002 | crd |
73 | Nate Lewis | 3,825 | 1990-1995 | 2TM |
74 | Vaughn Hebron | 3,802 | 1993-1998 | 2TM |
75 | Joe Arenas | 3,798 | 1951-1957 | sfo |
76 | Fulton Walker | 3,779 | 1981-1986 | 2TM |
77 | Marc Mariani | 3,766 | 2010-2016 | 2TM |
78 | Bruce Laird | 3,748 | 1972-1983 | 2TM |
79 | Ollie Matson+ | 3,746 | 1952-1966 | 4TM |
80 | Ellis Hobbs | 3,739 | 2005-2010 | 2TM |
81 | Carl Garrett | 3,704 | 1969-1977 | 4TM |
82 | Jerious Norwood | 3,695 | 2006-2011 | 2TM |
83 | Eddie Payton | 3,676 | 1977-1982 | 4TM |
84 | Darrin Nelson | 3,659 | 1982-1992 | 2TM |
85 | Bobby Joe Edmonds | 3,646 | 1986-1995 | 3TM |
86 | Bethel Johnson | 3,611 | 2003-2006 | 2TM |
87 | Danny Amendola | 3,590 | 2009-2021 | 5TM |
88 | Kermit Alexander | 3,586 | 1963-1973 | 3TM |
89 | Tremain Mack | 3,583 | 1997-2000 | cin |
90 | Tony Horne | 3,577 | 1998-2000 | ram |
91 | Deion Sanders+ | 3,523 | 1989-2005 | 5TM |
92 | Aaron Bailey | 3,501 | 1994-1998 | clt |
93 | Derrick Mason | 3,496 | 1997-2011 | 4TM |
94 | Ameer Abdullah | 3,487 | 2015-2023 | 4TM |
95 | Buddy Young | 3,465 | 1947-1955 | 4TM |
96 | Drew Hill | 3,460 | 1979-1993 | 3TM |
97 | Clarence Childs | 3,454 | 1964-1968 | 2TM |
98 | Roell Preston | 3,427 | 1995-1999 | 5TM |
99 | Larry Marshall | 3,396 | 1972-1978 | 4TM |
100 | Dominic Rhodes | 3,374 | 2001-2010 | 2TM |
101 | Danieal Manning | 3,370 | 2006-2014 | 2TM |
102 | Carl Roaches | 3,352 | 1980-1985 | 2TM |
103 | B.J. Sams | 3,341 | 2004-2008 | 2TM |
Vic Washington | 3,341 | 1971-1976 | 3TM | |
105 | Woodley Lewis | 3,325 | 1950-1960 | 3TM |
106 | David Palmer | 3,274 | 1994-2000 | min |
107 | Adam Jones | 3,232 | 2005-2018 | 4TM |
108 | Albert Bentley | 3,192 | 1985-1992 | 2TM |
109 | Tyler Lockett | 3,188 | 2015-2023 | sea |
110 | Dino Hall | 3,185 | 1979-1983 | cle |
111 | Cannonball Butler | 3,131 | 1965-1972 | 3TM |
112 | Jamal Agnew | 3,112 | 2017-2023 | 2TM |
113 | Jon Arnett | 3,110 | 1957-1966 | 2TM |
114 | Terry Metcalf | 3,087 | 1973-1981 | 2TM |
115 | Herb Adderley+ | 3,080 | 1961-1972 | 2TM |
116 | Willie Ponder | 3,064 | 2003-2006 | 3TM |
117 | Bo Roberson | 3,057 | 1961-1966 | 4TM |
118 | Donnie Elder | 3,040 | 1985-1991 | 5TM |
119 | Abner Haynes | 3,025 | 1960-1967 | 4TM |
120 | Pharoh Cooper | 3,018 | 2016-2022 | 5TM |
121 | Courtney Roby | 3,007 | 2005-2014 | 4TM |
122 | Bobby Humphery | 2,974 | 1984-1990 | 2TM |
123 | Stanford Jennings | 2,965 | 1984-1992 | 3TM |
124 | Glenn Holt | 2,961 | 2006-2008 | cin |
125 | Brock Marion | 2,951 | 1993-2004 | 3TM |
126 | Mercury Morris | 2,947 | 1969-1976 | 2TM |
127 | Billy Johnson | 2,941 | 1974-1988 | 3TM |
128 | Quintin Demps | 2,931 | 2008-2017 | 5TM |
129 | Dave Hampton | 2,923 | 1969-1976 | 3TM |
130 | J.J. Moses | 2,904 | 2002-2005 | 3TM |
131 | Benny Cunningham | 2,895 | 2013-2018 | 2TM |
132 | Bill Butler | 2,886 | 1959-1964 | 4TM |
133 | Jerry Azumah | 2,885 | 1999-2005 | chi |
134 | Brad Smith | 2,873 | 2006-2014 | 3TM |
135 | Maurice Morris | 2,858 | 2002-2011 | 2TM |
136 | Brandon Banks | 2,856 | 2010-2012 | was |
137 | Rich Mauti | 2,852 | 1977-1984 | 2TM |
138 | Alvin Hall | 2,819 | 1981-1987 | det |
James Thrash | 2,819 | 1997-2008 | 2TM | |
140 | Jamie Holland | 2,806 | 1987-1992 | 3TM |
141 | James Owens | 2,801 | 1979-1984 | 2TM |
Preston Pearson | 2,801 | 1967-1980 | 3TM | |
Travis Williams | 2,801 | 1967-1971 | 2TM | |
144 | Dave Grayson | 2,798 | 1961-1970 | 2TM |
145 | Gale Sayers+ | 2,781 | 1965-1971 | chi |
146 | Gary Anderson | 2,779 | 1985-1993 | 3TM |
147 | Dick Christy | 2,770 | 1958-1963 | 3TM |
148 | James Brooks | 2,762 | 1981-1992 | 4TM |
149 | Alex Erickson | 2,729 | 2016-2023 | 4TM |
150 | Walter Roberts | 2,728 | 1964-1970 | 3TM |
151 | Lynn Chandnois | 2,720 | 1950-1956 | pit |
152 | Bernard Jackson | 2,709 | 1972-1980 | 3TM |
153 | Cleo Montgomery | 2,706 | 1980-1985 | 3TM |
154 | Jakeem Grant | 2,699 | 2016-2021 | 2TM |
155 | Terry Fair | 2,698 | 1998-2005 | 3TM |
156 | J.J. Arrington | 2,694 | 2005-2008 | crd |
157 | Bobby Mitchell+ | 2,690 | 1958-1968 | 2TM |
158 | Leon Johnson | 2,688 | 1997-2003 | 3TM |
159 | Brandon Bennett | 2,675 | 1998-2004 | 2TM |
160 | DeAndre Carter | 2,646 | 2018-2023 | 6TM |
161 | Zachary Dixon | 2,634 | 1979-1984 | 5TM |
162 | Vernon Turner | 2,626 | 1990-1995 | 4TM |
Glen Young | 2,626 | 1983-1988 | 2TM | |
164 | Al Nelson | 2,625 | 1965-1973 | phi |
165 | Aaron Glenn | 2,622 | 1994-2008 | 5TM |
166 | Darrick Vaughn | 2,620 | 2000-2003 | 2TM |
167 | Cecil Turner | 2,616 | 1968-1973 | chi |
168 | Randy Baldwin | 2,607 | 1991-1996 | 4TM |
169 | Micheal Spurlock | 2,594 | 2006-2014 | 8TM |
Troy Walters | 2,594 | 2000-2007 | 4TM | |
171 | Lou Piccone | 2,559 | 1974-1982 | 2TM |
172 | Marcus Thigpen | 2,533 | 2012-2015 | 4TM |
173 | Floyd Little+ | 2,523 | 1967-1975 | den |
174 | Greg Pruitt | 2,514 | 1973-1984 | 2TM |
175 | Tom Watkins | 2,510 | 1961-1968 | 3TM |
176 | Eric Ball | 2,474 | 1989-1995 | 2TM |
177 | Leodis McKelvin | 2,471 | 2008-2016 | 2TM |
178 | Josh Wilson | 2,467 | 2007-2015 | 5TM |
179 | Aveion Cason | 2,457 | 2001-2008 | 3TM |
180 | Ray-Ray McCloud | 2,438 | 2018-2023 | 4TM |
181 | Ken Jenkins | 2,427 | 1983-1986 | 2TM |
182 | Clint Jones | 2,426 | 1967-1973 | 2TM |
183 | Johnny Bailey | 2,420 | 1990-1995 | 3TM |
184 | Tyson Thompson | 2,416 | 2005-2007 | dal |
185 | Fred McAfee | 2,412 | 1991-2006 | 4TM |
186 | Jon Vaughn | 2,390 | 1991-1994 | 3TM |
187 | Stephen Starring | 2,389 | 1983-1988 | 3TM |
188 | Steve Smith Sr. | 2,371 | 2001-2016 | 2TM |
189 | Rick Upchurch | 2,355 | 1975-1983 | den |
190 | Darius Reynaud | 2,347 | 2008-2013 | 4TM |
191 | Jordan Todman | 2,346 | 2012-2017 | 4TM |
192 | Gary Davis | 2,341 | 1976-1981 | 2TM |
193 | Howard Stevens | 2,336 | 1973-1977 | 2TM |
194 | Rocket Ismail | 2,334 | 1993-2001 | 3TM |
195 | Rickie Harris | 2,326 | 1965-1972 | 2TM |
196 | Tremon Smith | 2,323 | 2018-2023 | 5TM |
197 | Keith Moody | 2,318 | 1976-1980 | 2TM |
198 | Sammy Martin | 2,317 | 1988-1991 | 2TM |
199 | James Dixon | 2,315 | 1989-1991 | dal |
200 | Deji Karim | 2,306 | 2010-2013 | 3TM |
201 | Larry Garron | 2,299 | 1960-1968 | nwe |
202 | Terry Kirby | 2,292 | 1993-2002 | 4TM |
203 | David Patten | 2,273 | 1997-2008 | 5TM |
204 | Joe McKnight | 2,270 | 2010-2014 | 2TM |
205 | Mel Renfro+ | 2,246 | 1964-1977 | dal |
206 | Reidel Anthony | 2,232 | 1997-2001 | tam |
207 | Steve Breaston | 2,220 | 2007-2012 | 2TM |
208 | Ken Bell | 2,218 | 1986-1989 | den |
209 | Jerry LeVias | 2,213 | 1969-1974 | 2TM |
210 | Eddie Saenz | 2,191 | 1946-1951 | was |
211 | Charley Warner | 2,187 | 1963-1966 | 2TM |
212 | Kenny Bynum | 2,182 | 1997-2000 | sdg |
213 | Deonte Thompson | 2,179 | 2012-2018 | 4TM |
214 | Lenny Lyles | 2,161 | 1958-1969 | 2TM |
215 | Artie Owens | 2,155 | 1976-1980 | 3TM |
216 | Napoleon Kaufman | 2,149 | 1995-2000 | rai |
217 | Arlen Harris | 2,147 | 2003-2006 | 2TM |
218 | Miles Austin | 2,146 | 2006-2015 | 3TM |
219 | Clarence Davis | 2,140 | 1971-1978 | rai |
220 | Noland Smith | 2,137 | 1967-1969 | 2TM |
221 | Herman Hunter | 2,133 | 1985-1987 | 3TM |
222 | Eric Moulds | 2,128 | 1996-2007 | 3TM |
Chris Watson | 2,128 | 1999-2002 | 2TM | |
224 | Charlie West | 2,127 | 1968-1979 | 3TM |
225 | Pervis Atkins | 2,124 | 1961-1966 | 3TM |
226 | Braxton Berrios | 2,108 | 2019-2023 | 2TM |
227 | Chris Cole | 2,105 | 2000-2003 | den |
228 | O.J. McDuffie | 2,103 | 1993-2000 | mia |
229 | Brian Baschnagel | 2,102 | 1976-1984 | chi |
230 | Willie Drewrey | 2,097 | 1985-1993 | 2TM |
231 | Lionel James | 2,094 | 1984-1988 | sdg |
232 | Ladell Betts | 2,085 | 2002-2010 | 2TM |
233 | Robbie Martin | 2,084 | 1981-1986 | 2TM |
234 | Sylvester Stamps | 2,079 | 1984-1989 | 2TM |
235 | Wallace Francis | 2,077 | 1973-1981 | 2TM |
236 | Koren Robinson | 2,070 | 2001-2008 | 3TM |
237 | Irving Spikes | 2,058 | 1994-1997 | mia |
238 | Maurice Jones-Drew | 2,054 | 2006-2014 | 2TM |
Jerome Mathis | 2,054 | 2005-2007 | htx | |
240 | Jo-Jo Townsell | 2,048 | 1985-1990 | nyj |
Charles Wilson | 2,048 | 1990-1995 | 3TM | |
242 | Don Shy | 2,047 | 1967-1973 | 4TM |
243 | Felix Jones | 2,044 | 2008-2013 | 2TM |
244 | Clifton Smith | 2,038 | 2008-2010 | 3TM |
245 | George Taliaferro | 2,035 | 1949-1955 | 5TM |
246 | Steve Van Buren+ | 2,030 | 1944-1951 | phi |
247 | Lorenzo Hampton | 2,025 | 1985-1989 | mia |
248 | Larry Brunson | 2,022 | 1974-1980 | 3TM |
249 | Dave Williams | 2,019 | 1977-1981 | 2TM |
250 | Travis Minor | 2,016 | 2001-2008 | 2TM |
Michael Morton | 2,016 | 1982-1987 | 3TM |
We're Social...for Statheads
Every Sports Reference Social Media Account
Site Last Updated: Monday, March 18, 2:31PM
Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction?
Subscribe to our Free Email Newsletter
Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREE
Your All-Access Ticket to the Pro Football Reference Database
Do you have a sports website? Or write about sports? We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Find out more.