Ranking top 5 kickers, punters and returners in 2024 NFL Draft

The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy gives his top five kickers, punters and returners in this year’s NFL draft, based on evaluations and conversations with people around the league:

Kickers

1. Will Reichard, Alabama, 6-1, 187

NCAA career points leader (547) off of 84 field goals and 295 PATs.

Near-automatic from inside 40 yards. Named 2023 SEC Special Teams Player of the Year by the coaches.

Made (33 yards) and missed (50) last-second pressure kicks in 2022.

2. Cam Little, Arkansas, 6-1, 172

Made 82.8 percent (53-for-64) of field goals and every PAT (129-for-129) during his career. Four of seven career makes from 50-plus yards came last season. Can draw on high school roots and punt in a pinch.

3. Joshua Karty, Stanford, 6-2, 207

Bounced back from poor 2021 season to make 41 of 45 field goals over last two seasons. Career-long 61-yarder in 2022 and 7-for-7 between 40 and 49 yards in 2023. Strong kickoff leg. Senior Bowl showcase.

4. Harrison Mevis, Missouri, 6-0, 241

Built like a stout linebacker. More accurate in his first two seasons (88.9 percent) than his last two (79.3). Drilled SEC-record 61-yard game winner as time expired to upset Kansas State. Made 12 career kicks from 50-yards or more.

5. Spencer Shrader, Notre Dame, 6-2, 201

Pursued a professional soccer career in Brazil and Canada before spending four years at South Florida. Made four 50-plus-yarders in one season at Notre Dame. Made four 40-plus yarders in one game in 2020.

Punters

1. Tory Taylor, Iowa, 6-4, 223

Field-flipper was scoring-challenged Iowa’s best offensive weapon. NCAA-record 43 career games averaging at least 40 yards per punt. Of career 295 punts, 129 landed inside the 20-yard line, 103 traveled at least 50 yards, and his average was 46.3 yards.

2. Ryan Rehkow, BYU, 6-4, 235

Older brother (Austin) bounced around NFL camps. Averaged 48.4 yards last season. Booming leg can lead to outkicking his coverage (22 fair catches/touchbacks on 68 punts). Needs to improve his touch and directional aim.

3. Matthew Hayball, Vanderbilt, 6-0, 189

Australia native was No. 2-graded college punter last season, per Pro Football Focus. Only active NCAA punter (any division) with more than 13,000 career yards. Career average of 45.2 (three seasons at Florida Atlantic). Career long of 71 yards.

4. Austin McNamara, Texas Tech, 6-4, 204

Career average of 45.9 yards — never less than 44.3 in any of five seasons with 41 or more attempts. Knows when to go long and when to utilize hang time. Also used as a holder. Multisport background.

5. Jack Browning, San Diego State, 5-11, 190

Handled punting, placekicking and kickoff duties for two years. Made 4 of 6 from 50-plus yards, including a 61-yarder. Needs to harness accuracy. Only player in the country on Lou Groza (best kicker) and Ray Guy (best punter) award watch lists in 2023.

Returners

1. WR Lideatrick Griffin, Mississippi State, 5-10, 181

Becomes a draftable player as biggest winner of the NFL kickoff rule change. Averaged 30.4 career yards per kickoff return (No. 2 in SEC history) with two touchdowns. Ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash. Floors the accelerator.

2. WR Xavier Worthy, Texas, 5-11, 165

Draft stock boosted to the first-second round border by FBS-best 371 punt return yards last season. 13.8 yards per punt return and one touchdown in his career. NFL combine-record 4.21-second time in 40-yard dash.

3. WR Ainias Smith, Texas A&M, 5-9, 190

Averaged 18 yards per kickoff return and 10.2 yards per punt return over five-year career. Changes gears quickly. Changes directions even quicker. Gadget receiving/rushing player on offense. Six career muffed punts is alarming.

4. RB Will Shipley, Clemson, 5-11, 206

A mid-round prospect whose extra tool could push him above others. Excellent vision is behind his 26.6 career yards per kickoff return. Gets in and out of his cuts and makes the most of small creases.

5. WR Anthony Gould, Oregon State, 5-8, 174

2022 All-American returner after averaging 18.6 yards per punt return with two touchdowns. Reputation preceded him with fewer opportunities in 2023 but still accounted for three 50-plus yard all-purpose plays. Shoots like a rocket out of crowds.