Best returners in NFL history

The best returner ever? Hester has five career kick return touchdowns, 14 punt return touchdowns (first all time) and ranks 10th in all-time yards per punt return. He's also had impressive longevity between the Bears, Falcons and Ravens over 11 seasons.

Sayers' legend as a returner is nearly as impressive as his track record as a running back. He still ranks first all time with 30.6 yards per kick return and tied for third with six kick return scores. He added two punt return touchdowns over his seven-year career in Chicago.

One of the most notable Cleveland Browns over the last 10 years, Cribbs played eight seasons in Cleveland before finishing his career with the Jets and Colts. He had eight career kick return touchdowns and three punt return scores, making the Pro Bowl three times. He ranks third all time in kick return yards.

A three-time All-Pro who played for the Saints, Lions, Oilers and Eagles over 12 seasons, Gray had nine career return touchdowns. His most impressive year as a kick returner came in 1994, when he had three kick return touchdowns and led the league with 28.4 yards per kick return.

A legendary returner who played 14 seasons in the NFL for Washington, Philadelphia and the Giants, Mitchell has nine career punt return touchdowns and four kick return touchdowns. He's the all-time leader in both punt returns and kick returns.

Metcalf played for seven different teams but spent much of his career with Cleveland. A two-time All-Pro who had more than 100 receptions in 1995, Metcalf still ranks second all time with 10 career punt return touchdowns. He also ranks 15th all time in total kick returns.

Upchurch played in Denver for nine seasons and was a three-time All-Pro. He ranks fourth all time with eight punt return touchdowns and fifth all time in yards per punt return.

Rossum spent his 12-year career with Philadelphia, Green Bay, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Dallas. The cornerback had eight career return touchdowns and ranks second all time in kick and punt return yards.

"The X-Factor" played seven seasons in Kansas City and two more in St. Louis. He had six career punt return scores and six more kick return touchdowns, and ranks 40th all time with 10.5 yards per punt return.

A former Heisman Trophy winner at Michigan, Howard is best remembered in the NFL for his 99-yard kick return touchdown in Super Bowl XXXI for the Packers. He had eight punt return touchdowns during the regular season over his 11-year career and ranks sixth all time in yards per punt return.

Billy "White Shoes" Johnson played 13 seasons in the NFL, finishing his career with six punt return touchdowns and two kick return touchdowns. He ranks ninth in yards per punt return.

During his 11-year career, Matson had six kick return scores and three punt returns for scores. He still ranks 25th in yards per kick return.

Duncan played with the Chargers and Redskins during his 11-year career, finishing with four punt return touchdowns. His 10.9 yards per punt return still ranks 25th overall.

Woodson played nine season with the 49ers and Cardinals, scoring five times as a kick returner and two more on punts. He made five Pro Bowls and still ranks fourth all time in yards per kick return.

Sanders is a Hall of Famer for his brilliant play as a cornerback and also perhaps the flashiest returner ever. He has six punt return touchdowns and three kick return scores.

Meggett played 10 seasons between the Giants, Patriots and Jets, retiring with seven career punt return touchdowns and one kick return score. He made two Pro Bowls. He is currently serving a 30-year sentence for criminal sexual conduct and burglary convictions.

Jones' most notable play was a touchdown on a second-half kick return in Super Bowl XLVII. He had a strong career as a returner, with five kick return touchdowns and four punt return touchdowns. His 27.0 yards per kick return ranks 14th all time.

Christiansen played only eight seasons in the NFL but had eight punt return touchdowns during that time, including six in his first two seasons. His career 12.8 yards per punt return still ranks first all time.

A former first-round pick, Patterson has never developed as a wideout but has been an elite kick returner since his arrival in 2013. Over his first 129 kick returns, Patterson already has five scores and is leading the league in yards per kick return for the third time in four seasons. His 30.4 yards per kick return ranks second all time.

Sproles is still going strong at age 33 for the Eagles. The running back has seven career punt return touchdowns and two kick return scores. He ranks eighth all time in kick return yards and ninth in punt return yards.

A cornerback with a nose for the ball, McGee had a productive but brief career as a kick returner in Buffalo. He scored five times and ranks 24th all time in yards per kick return.

Ginn is still going strong in his 10th NFL season. The ninth overall pick in the 2007 draft, Ginn has four career punt return touchdowns and three kick return touchdowns. His 10.5 yards per punt return ranks 40th all time.

Washington was an excellent kick returner during his career, finishing with eight career touchdowns. His 25.9 yards per kick return ranks 36th all time.

Harvin was quite the kick return threat early in his career with Minnesota. During his four seasons with the team, he scored five times in only 114 kick returns. He made a comeback with the Bills this season, but his season was ended early due to recurring migraine issues.

An accomplished cornerback over 10 seasons, Jones also has five career punt return touchdowns, tied for 14th all time.