5 Best Punters of All-Time, Ranked

Punters rarely receive the same recognition as other positions, but their ability to control field position is critical to team success. 

Ranking the best punters of all-time involves evaluating average yards per punt, precision, longevity, and impact in big moments. 

These five punters represent the best to ever play the position.

1. Ray Guy

• Career: 1973 to 1986 (Raiders)
• Career Stats: 42.4 yards per punt average, 7 Pro Bowls
• Accolades: 3× Super Bowl Champion, 6× First-Team All-Pro, Hall of Fame inductee

Ray Guy is the only pure punter inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and for good reason. With a booming leg and unmatched hang time, he turned punting into a game-changing weapon. 

Drafted by the Raiders in the first round in 1973, Guy redefined field position strategy and set new standards for precision and power. His punts routinely pinned opponents deep, shifting momentum and giving his defense the edge. 

A key contributor to three Raiders Super Bowl victories, Guy’s legacy endures as the punter who transformed a routine play into an art form worthy of Canton.

2. Shane Lechler

• Career: 2000 to 2017 (Raiders, Texans)
• Career Stats: 47.6 yards per punt average (NFL record)
• Accolades: 6× First-Team All-Pro, 7× Pro Bowler

Shane Lechler holds the highest career punting average in NFL history at an astounding 47.6 yards per punt – a testament to both his power and precision. 

Over 18 seasons in the league, Lechler consistently flipped field position, giving his teams a crucial strategic advantage. His booming kicks weren’t just long; they were expertly placed, pinning returners deep and minimizing opportunities for big plays.

Lechler’s dominance began early with the Oakland Raiders and continued well into his tenure with the Houston Texans. Throughout his career, he earned multiple All-Pro selections and Pro Bowl honors, cementing his reputation as one of football’s most reliable weapons. 

More than just a strong leg, Lechler combined athleticism with a deep understanding of situational football, mastering the art of hang time, direction, and placement.

3. Sammy Baugh

• Career: 1937 to 1952 (Washington)
• Career Stats: 45.1 yards per punt average
• Accolades: 6× First-Team All-Pro, 2× NFL Champion, Hall of Fame inductee

Sammy Baugh is remembered primarily as one of the NFL’s first great quarterbacks, but his excellence extended far beyond passing. 

He was also an elite punter, averaging 45.1 yards per punt – a mark that still ranks among the best in league history. Baugh’s ability to control field position with his leg made him an invaluable weapon in an era when players were expected to do it all. 

Beyond punting, he also led the league in passing, punting, and interceptions in the same season; a feat unmatched before or since. His versatility and all-around dominance helped define the standard for the modern football player and cemented his legacy as one of the most complete athletes in NFL history.

4. Jerrel Wilson

• Career: 1963 to 1978 (Chiefs)
• Career Stats: 43.0 yards per punt average, 1,014 career punts
• Accolades: 3× Pro Bowler, Super Bowl Champion (IV)

Jerrel Wilson was a punter celebrated for his rare combination of distance and hang time, a skill set that made him one of the most feared punters of his generation. 

His powerful right leg was a crucial weapon for the Kansas City Chiefs during their rise in the late 1960s, playing a key role in their victory in Super Bowl IV. Over the course of his career, Wilson logged more than 1,000 punts, showcasing both remarkable endurance and consistency. 

He was a three-time Pro Bowler and twice led the league in punting average, cementing his legacy as one of the most technically proficient and impactful specialists in NFL history. 

Wilson’s precision and power set the standard for modern punting excellence.

5. Johnny Hekker

• Career: 2012 to present (Rams, Panthers)
• Career Stats (through 2024): 46.7 yards per punt average, 400+ career punts inside the 20
• Accolades: Super Bowl Champion (LVI), 4× First-Team All-Pro, 4× Pro Bowler

Johnny Hekker is widely regarded as one of the most accurate and versatile punters in NFL history. Known for his ability to control the game’s tempo, Hekker consistently pinned opponents deep in their own territory, flipping field position with surgical precision. 

His career average ranks among the league’s best, but it’s his placement and creativity (including his knack for executing fake punts) that truly set him apart. 

A key contributor to the Los Angeles Rams’ success throughout the 2010s, Hekker’s performance during their championship run showcased his poise under pressure and mastery of situational football. His combination of power, touch, and football IQ has redefined what it means to be an elite modern punter.

Honorable Mentions

• Pat McAfee – 46.4 career average, Pro Bowl selection, now a media figure
• Tom Tupa – Excelled as both punter and emergency quarterback
• Dave Jennings – Four-time Pro Bowler with nearly 1,000 career punts

Pat McAfee, Tom Tupa, and Dave Jennings each left a distinct mark on NFL punting history. 

McAfee combined booming power with precision, earning All-Pro honors and redefining the position with his athleticism and charisma. Tupa stood out for his rare versatility, excelling as both a punter and backup quarterback, showcasing unmatched adaptability. Jennings, a consistent force for the Giants and Jets, led the league in punts multiple times and embodied reliability across 14 seasons. 

Though each narrowly misses the top five, their unique blend of skill, longevity, and impact places them firmly among the most influential punters the game has seen.

You can also check out our list of the best kickers of all-time to see how special teams legends shaped another key part of the game.

Defining Punter Greatness

The best punters of all time combined distance, accuracy, and consistency under pressure. 

Ray Guy elevated punting into an art form, Lechler’s averages redefined standards, Baugh showcased versatility, Wilson set benchmarks for his era, and Hekker brought modern precision. 

Their leg strength and control changed games by dictating field position.

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