2017 NFL Gross Punting Average Leaders

Gross average is total punt yards divided by punts that were not blocked. It measures distance only and ignores returns and touchbacks.

Net average is a better measure of field position; use both. In 2017, Brett Kern (49.7) led NFL punters in gross punting average, ahead of Shane Lechler (49.0) and Drew Kaser (48.1). 32 punters qualify (minimum 30 punts). The median qualified punter had 45.1.

Final 2017 regular-season numbers, updated October 23, 2026.

Rk	Player	Team	Avg	Punts	Net	In 20	In 20 %	TB %	FC %	Points
1	Brett Kern	Tennessee Titans	49.7	75	44.6	28	37%	7%	12%	+15.6
2	Shane Lechler	Houston Texans	49.0	92	41.3	32	35%	5%	24%	−1.2
3	Drew Kaser	Los Angeles Chargers	48.1	74	41.3	27	36%	12%	8%	+2.8
4	Johnny Hekker	Los Angeles Rams	47.9	65	44.3	30	46%	6%	18%	+11.3
5	Britton Colquitt	Cleveland Browns	47.6	81	40.6	24	30%	3%	16%	−6.3
6	Marquette King	Las Vegas Raiders	47.4	69	42.7	28	41%	9%	22%	+22.4
7	Andy Lee	Arizona Cardinals	47.3	88	39.7	29	33%	9%	15%	−5.7
8	Thomas Morstead	New Orleans Saints	47.0	60	42.2	26	43%	3%	30%	−0.7
9	Pat O'Donnell	Chicago Bears	47.0	87	39.7	27	31%	7%	17%	+2.3
10	Kevin Huber	Cincinnati Bengals	46.6	89	40.8	32	36%	3%	26%	−12.1
11	Lac Edwards	New York Jets	46.6	94	40.5	33	35%	4%	24%	−10.4
12	Michael Palardy	Carolina Panthers	46.0	71	42.4	25	35%	6%	30%	+1.3
13	Tress Way	Washington Commanders	45.7	83	39.0	33	40%	7%	31%	−12.4
14	Riley Dixon	Denver Broncos	45.6	75	40.2	23	31%	4%	32%	−10.1
15	Donnie Jones	Philadelphia Eagles	45.3	68	40.6	21	31%	7%	21%	+0.2
16	Dustin Colquitt	Kansas City Chiefs	45.2	65	41.1	29	45%	8%	34%	+11.6
17	Jon Ryan	Seattle Seahawks	45.0	92	38.8	29	32%	7%	21%	−4.3
18	Matt Bosher	Atlanta Falcons	44.9	53	40.8	19	36%	4%	42%	−4.8
19	Sam Koch	Baltimore Ravens	44.8	85	40.3	40	47%	4%	21%	+0.7
20	Rigoberto Sanchez	Indianapolis Colts	44.8	85	42.6	28	33%	4%	32%	+12.6
21	Colton Schmidt	Buffalo Bills	44.7	79	40.5	28	35%	8%	20%	+6.3
22	Matt Haack	Miami Dolphins	44.5	83	40.7	30	36%	6%	24%	+7.8
23	Justin Vogel	Green Bay Packers	44.4	71	41.6	19	27%	3%	34%	−3.4
24	Brad Wing	New York Giants	44.1	97	36.7	19	20%	9%	21%	−36.2
25	Brad Nortman	Jacksonville Jaguars	44.1	88	38.9	29	33%	10%	29%	−10.8
26	Chris Jones	Dallas Cowboys	44.1	66	41.4	34	52%	8%	30%	+14.2
27	Bryan Anger	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	44.0	66	39.5	24	36%	8%	32%	+8.9
28	Bradley Pinion	San Francisco 49ers	43.4	75	41.2	31	41%	1%	31%	+7.6
29	Sam Martin	Detroit Lions	43.4	41	37.6	13	32%	15%	29%	−9.4
30	Ryan Allen	New England Patriots	43.4	58	40.5	24	41%	5%	24%	+7.8
31	Jordan Berry	Pittsburgh Steelers	43.2	64	39.8	26	41%	3%	38%	−1.7
32	Ryan Quigley	Minnesota Vikings	42.2	71	39.2	29	41%	0%	46%	−7.1

All 2017 NFL punter rankings

Gross Punting Average in other seasons: 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2016

More 2017 NFL punter leaderboards

Other 2017 NFL rankings

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