Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsFriday, June 19, 2026

NFL free agent rankings: Punters

Take a look at the free agents at the punter position.

NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Matt Warren
Matt Warren is Associate Director of NFL coverage for SB Nation and previously covered the Buffalo Bills for Buffalo Rumblings for more than a decade. If it has to do with math, he covered it, from NFL playoff standings to salary cap analysis.

Punters are often somewhat overlooked in the construction of your team because they don’t score points on their own. They often are the team’s holder on kicks, though, and when you need a quality punt, it’s nice to have a punter worth theeir salt.

We polled a group of writers from around SB Nation to gather consensus rankings about the available players.

We will remove players from the list as they re-sign with their current teams all the way up to the opening of free agency in March.

Related

8. Ryan Wright, Minnesota Vikings (RFA)

Voted as high as four on one of our ballots, Wright has averaged 41.6 new yards per punt in his three years in Minnesota, but only got to 40.5 in 2024. With the Right of First Refusal costing almost $3.2 million, it’s unlikely Wright will be tendered as a Restricted Free Agent. He turns 25 this offseason. UPDATE: Wright signed a one-year deal with Minnesota

7. JK Scott, Los Angeles Chargers

He received a first-place vote on one of our ballots, but was way down on the rest of the voting sheets. He is coming off a two-year, $4 million contract and turned 28 during the 2024 season. In his three seasons with the Chargers, he averaged 41.7 net yards per punt. UPDATE: Scott agreed to re-sign with the Chargers.

6. Riley Dixon, Denver Broncos

As high as third in our voting, Dixon averaged 42 net yards per punt in 2024, the second-highest of his career. He turns 32 this offseason, but plenty of punters can roll into their mid-30s. He is finishing up a two-year, $3.5 million contract. UPDATE: The Buccaneers signed Dixon to a two-year deal.

5. Ryan Stonehouse, Tennessee Titans (RFA)

Stonehouse had the worst season of his career in 2024, averaging just 38.3 net yards per punt after consecutive years over 43. With the Right of First Refusal costing almost $3.2 million, it’s unlikely Stonehouse will be tendered as a Restricted Free Agent. He turns 26 this offseason. UPDATE: The Dolphins have signed Stonehouse.

4. Jamie Gillan, New York Giants

Coming off a two-year, $4 million deal, Gillan is one of the younger punters on our list as he turns 28 this July. He’s coming off a season where he got to just 40.5 net yards per punt but only notched two touchbacks. UPDATE: Gillan re-signed with the Giants for three years.

3. Tress Way, Washington Commanders

A pair of second-place votes, but another ballot at eight. He was the third-highest paid punter in the NFL in 2024 at more than $3.4 million, completing a four-year extension. He’s played every game of the last 11 seasons for the Washington franchise since being signed during the 2014 offseason and turns 35 this April. His stats are as good as ever, averaging almost 43 net yards per attempt in 2024. UPDATE: Re-signed with Washington.

2. Johnny Hekker, Carolina Panthers

Received the most first-place votes in our polling, but was also seventh on another ballot, so he fell out of the top spot. His 35th birthday is in February, and he was a little of his career average in 2024 at 41.5 new yards per attempt. He finished up a three-year, $7.6 million contract. UPDATE: The Titans are loading up on punter, adding Hekker.

1. Bryan Anger, Dallas Cowboys

Didn’t receive a first-place vote, but also was second or third on every ballot, so that consistency was why he tops our list. The 13-year NFL vet has made the Pro Bowl twice and was named second-team All-Pro twice in his four years with the Cowboys. He has six years with his net average over 41 yards per punt. He’s coming off a three-year, $9 million contract as the fourth-highest paid guy in the league. UPDATE: Anger re-signed in Dallas for two years.

Recently released punters

Sam Martin

The Bills released their punter to save cap space, sure, but Martin was also pretty pedestrian in 2024. He’ll be in someone’s camp as a veteran backstop, but most teams can do better. UPDATE: Martin signed with the Panthers.

Jack Browning

After signing Riley Dixon in free agency, the Bucs parted ways with Browning. He played in five games for Tampa in 2024 =. He’s only 23 and will likely be in camp somewhere.

Free agent punters who were signed to new deals

  • Jamie Gillan re-upped with the Giants for three years
  • Ryan Wright signed a one-year deal to stay in Minnesota
  • JK Scott signed a new deal with the Chargers
  • Riley Dixon agreed to terms with the Buccaneers
  • Sam Martin agreed to terms with the Panthers
  • The Titans have signed Johnny Hekker
  • The Cowboys re-signed Bryan Anger
  • Austin McNamara signed a deal with the Jets
  • The Miami Dolphins signed Ryan Stonehouse
  • Matt Haack signed with the Broncos
  • The Bills signed Brad Robbins

Free agent rankings: Top players at every position

See More:

More in NFL

NFL
WNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in FriscoWNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in Frisco
NFL

The Women’s National Football Conference Championship will air on ESPN2 this weekend.

By RJ Ochoa
From SBNationExternal Link
Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?
From SBNationExternal Link
By James Dator
NFL
Best bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the YearBest bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
NFL

There are some good longer-shot options on offensive side of ball for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year.

By Bill Williamson
NFL
Brendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go inBrendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go in
NFL

This is a no-brainer for some NFL teams.

By James Dator
NFL
Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before himFernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him
NFL

Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him

By RJ Ochoa
NFL
Brendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reportsBrendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports
NFL

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is entering the NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports

By Mark Schofield

Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...