Numbers say Patrick Peterson was the best returner

Patrick Peterson had an incredible year as a punt
returner.

Tying an NFL record with four touchdowns, the Cardinals
rookie averaged 15.9 yards per return, and his 699 total
punt return yards were 156 more than the second-place
total.

So maybe it should come as no surprise that the Football
Outsiders at ESPN.com (Insider) put Peterson
on their All-Pro team.

This one is not even close. Based on FO metrics,
Peterson’s returns were worth 21.0 points of estimated
field position compared to average punt returns from the
same locations. That’s 10 points higher than any other
punt returner in the league. Of course, that included four
touchdown returns.

As we all saw this season, having a talent like Peterson
returning punts can be a game-changer. Teams started
punting away from the rookie, and when they were daring
enough to send a ball his way he often times made them
pay.

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