Top 10 Punters
Picking a punter that will assist your fantasy roster can truly be hit or miss. There are exceptional guys out there who can miraculously place the ball inside the 20 or even the 10 yard line, but there are also those guys that come out of the blue for a solid season and get lots of work. It is not always the teams with outstanding offenses that need a great punter, as the teams that are not always stellar are likely forced to punt often and need a solid foot. Teams like Oakland and Chicago have solid punters to assist with the 90 or so ball returns per season, while teams like San Diego have a terrific punter as a safety valve.
The listing of the Top 10 punters this season is arranged in no particular order and includes guys from both dominant teams, who use their punter as a weapon and struggling teams and who are forced to utilize their punter to balance poor offensive movement.
PN Dustin Colquitt, ---
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Colquitt tends to average around 70-80 punts per season with an average punt of about 43 yards. With nearly 30 landing inside the 20 yard line the past two seasons, I think we are seeing a consistent streak, and a good one. With Matt Cassel now in Kansas City, Colquitt's work may become easier (similar to Maynard's), but he will still be needed and will perform well. Colquitt has the ability to get the team out of tight situations or strategically place the ball for his defense to stand in.
PN Donnie Jones, ---
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Donnie Jones should be in your Punters top 10. Averaging 50 yards per punt last season with over 80 punts is quite impressive. He needs to work on his placement and improve his 20 punts inside the 20 and 7 punts inside the 10 yard line. Jones is a mainstay on this St. Louis squad and as a younger punter is impressive. Look for him to have another solid season.
PN Brett Kern, ---
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Denver and Brett Kern are bound to find themselves punting this season. The loss of Cutler and the addition of Orton poses unique issues in the punting game. Kern had only 46 punts in all of 2008. Maynard, Chicago's punter last year under Orton, had nearly 100. Kern is likely to see more action this season and it will be a test; I think he will impress. Look for Kern to have nearly 70 punts and hone his placement to offset some early Denver offensive woes.
PN Chris Kluwe, ---
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Kluwe punted over 70 times for an average distance of about 45 yards last season. As a younger punter on a team with some young leaders, Kluwe will be counted on to deliver in a variety of scenarios. Kluwe will assist the defense by setting up field position and get the offense out of sticky situations. With a tough schedule, look for Kluwe to be utilized often.
PN Sam Koch, ---
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Koch placed nearly 35 and 20 punts inside the 20 yard line and 10 yard line respectively. Baltimore is becoming more of an offensive team, but their strong defense and special teams prevail as a focus. Koch punted over 80 times last season and will likely see nearly as many punts this year. With his ability to stick it to opponents with placement deep in their own zones, Koch is a solid bet in any league where punters score points.
