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NFL coaches will tell you special teams constitutes a third of the game, and analysts will feed that soundbite back to you with every return touchdown, blocked kick, or bobbled snap.
Fantasy players, on the other hand, largely ignore special teams. Oftentimes they’re lumped in with team defense, if they’re even used at all.
But that’s starting to change. Between special teams stars like Devin Hester moving into larger roles in the offense and leagues adding tweaks like return yardage into their scoring system, return men are beginning to show up on the fantasy radar.
So whether your league includes return touchdowns with your team defense scoring, you’re looking to pick up an extra touchdown or two from one of your fantasy regulars, or you draft players specifically for their contributions in the return game… here’s a little something for you.
Worth noting: the league has changed the rules regarding wedges on kickoff returns, reducing those three-, four-, and five-man walls you’ve grown accustomed to seeing. The expectation is that kickoff return yardage will be reduced, with kick returns more closely resembling punt returns.
TEAMS
New England Patriots—The Pats are one of only two NFL teams to rank in the top 10 in kickoff return average each of the past three seasons and one of only four with a kickoff return touchdown each of the past three years. They’ve also ranked in the top 10 in punt returns two of the past three seasons, so it’s obvious special teams are a focus. Matt Slater, who set a UCLA record with three kickoff return touchdowns in 2007, is expected to take over Ellis Hobb’s role as kick returner, and Wes Welker is available for punt returns.
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