Do Kick Returns Count In Fantasy Football? The Surprising Answer

Let’s dive into the exciting world of fantasy football and see if kick returns count towards your score.

Most fantasy leagues don’t include kick return yardage in their scoring systems, whether it’s for an individual player or an entire team. So, for the majority of fantasy players out there, those exciting kickoff returns don’t affect your overall score.

But, there are always exceptions, right? You might be playing in a unique league that does award points for kick returns. If you’re wondering whether or not your league is one of those, it’s a good idea to check your league’s scoring settings. They’re usually found in the league’s rules or scoring section.

If you’re looking for a bit more scoring excitement in your fantasy league, consider creating a scoring system that includes kick returns. This can add a whole new dimension to your fantasy experience, rewarding players who are particularly skilled at field position and making those kick returns matter.

For example, you could add a point for every 10 yards gained on a kick return, or give bonus points for a touchdown scored on a kick return. This type of scoring can make a big difference in how you draft and manage your team, potentially elevating players like Devonta Smith and Kadarius Toney, who are known for their ability to make big plays on kick returns.

Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy your fantasy league experience! And, don’t be afraid to experiment with different scoring formats to find what works best for you and your league.

All-purpose yards include rushing yards, receiving yards, and kick return yards. While some sources don’t explicitly mention which types of return yards are included, kick return yards are typically counted towards the total. Punt return yards are also included in all-purpose yard calculations.

Let’s dive into why kick return yards are considered all-purpose yards. The term “all-purpose” refers to yards gained through various offensive and special teams plays. When a player returns a kick, they are gaining yards for their team, just like they would by rushing or receiving the ball. These yards represent a valuable contribution to the team’s overall offensive output, even though they are not directly related to traditional offensive plays.

The inclusion of kick return yards in all-purpose yard totals makes sense when you consider the context. Return yards can be significant in a game, potentially influencing the outcome. A long kick return can lead to a touchdown, swing momentum, or even provide a crucial field position advantage.

In essence, kick return yards, like rushing and receiving yards, reflect a player’s ability to gain ground and contribute to their team’s success. Therefore, they are rightfully included in the all-purpose yard calculation.

Let’s break down how kick return touchdowns impact your fantasy football defense.

Scoring Plays That Count Against Your Defense

Here’s the deal: Kick return touchdowns definitely count against your defense in most fantasy football leagues. That’s because they are considered special teams plays. Other scoring plays that hurt your defense include:

Rushing touchdowns
Passing touchdowns
Offensive fumble recovery touchdowns
Punt return touchdowns
Field goal return touchdowns
Blocked field goal touchdowns
Blocked punt touchdowns

Why Kick Return TDs Affect Your Defense

Think about it this way: your defense is responsible for stopping the opposing team from scoring points. When a player on the other team takes a kickoff all the way for a touchdown, it means your defense failed to stop them.

The same logic applies to punt return touchdowns, field goal return touchdowns, and blocked punt touchdowns. In all of these cases, the opposing team is scoring points without having to drive the ball down the field with their offense. Since your defense didn’t stop the play, they get dinged with the points.

Keep in Mind

* Some fantasy leagues have different scoring rules. Always check your league’s specific scoring settings before you draft your team.
* Some fantasy leagues might have a separate scoring category for special teams, which would mean the kick return touchdowns wouldn’t impact your defense directly.
* It’s crucial to be aware of all the scoring rules in your fantasy league. It can help you make better decisions when drafting and managing your team.

Kick return yards absolutely count as yards!

It’s common to see kick return and punt return statistics grouped together. Sometimes, they are even combined with rushing and receiving yards to calculate all-purpose yards.

This is because kick returns and punt returns involve gaining yardage on the field. A player who catches a kick or punt and runs for a significant distance contributes valuable yardage to their team, just like a running back who carries the ball or a receiver who catches a pass.

Let’s break down why kick returns are considered yards:

They contribute to the team’s overall yardage: When a player returns a kick or punt, the distance they cover directly impacts their team’s total yards gained. It doesn’t matter how the yards were earned—through a catch, a run, or a return—they all contribute to the team’s overall performance.
They can lead to scoring opportunities: A long kick return can put the offense in a prime position to score points. Imagine a team starting a drive on their own 40-yard line after a 60-yard kick return—that’s a huge advantage!
They are officially tracked and recorded: Just like rushing yards, receiving yards, and passing yards, kick return yards are meticulously recorded and tracked during games. These statistics are used to evaluate player performance and to highlight standout returners.

So, the next time you watch a football game, remember that those exciting kick returns are not just for show; they are essential parts of the game that contribute significantly to the overall outcome.

Let’s talk about touchdowns! You know how scoring a touchdown gets your team six points, right? But did you know that there are different ways to score a touchdown? It can happen by running the ball, throwing a pass, or even returning a kickoff or a punt. Even recovering a turnover can get you a touchdown if you manage to get the ball into the end zone!

Now, about kickoff returns, they are a bit unique. Although they involve moving the ball, they aren’t considered rushing touchdowns. A rushing touchdown is only credited when a player runs the ball into the end zone from the line of scrimmage. So, if a player catches a kickoff and runs it all the way for a touchdown, it’s considered a kickoff return touchdown. The reason for this distinction is that a kickoff starts with the ball being kicked from the team’s own 35-yard line, and it’s not a direct run from the line of scrimmage like a traditional rush.

The same logic applies to punt returns as well. A punt return touchdown is not considered a rushing touchdown because the ball was kicked, not run from the line of scrimmage.

So, to sum it up, kickoff return touchdowns are awesome plays, but they’re not considered rushing touchdowns. The distinction boils down to how the play starts.

You don’t need to draft two kickers in fantasy football. One kicker is enough! If your kicker gets injured or has a bye week, you can easily drop him or stash him and grab a replacement from waivers.

Think of it this way, kickers are the least valuable fantasy position. Their scoring is inconsistent, and there’s a ton of talent available on waivers. You’re not losing any major scoring potential by just having one kicker on your roster.

Here’s why you don’t need to worry about having two kickers:

Waiver Wire Abundance: The waiver wire is overflowing with kickers, and you’ll always be able to find a reliable replacement when you need one.
Scoring Volatility:Kickers are very volatile in fantasy football. One week they might score 15 points, the next week they might score 3. It’s not worth sacrificing a roster spot for a backup kicker who might not even get you more points.
Roster Management: You can use those extra roster spots to grab a flex player, a backup quarterback, or a player at a position that has higher upside. These players have the potential to significantly impact your fantasy scores.

Instead of focusing on having two kickers, focus on building a strong core at other positions. Your time and effort are better spent on securing a reliable quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end. You’ll be much happier with the results in the long run!

Let’s talk about yards from scrimmage and all-purpose yards! You might be wondering if kick returns count as scrimmage yards. The answer is no!

Here’s the breakdown:

Scrimmage yards are gained from the line of scrimmage during offensive plays. So, that includes running plays, passing plays, and even penalties that move the ball forward.
All-purpose yards, on the other hand, include yards from all types of returns, like kickoff returns, punt returns, interception returns, and fumble recovery returns. It also includes those scrimmage yards we talked about.

Think of it this way: Scrimmage yards are all about offensive plays, while all-purpose yards take into account all the ways a player can gain yardage on the field.

It’s like the difference between driving your car to a new destination, which is the scrimmage yards, and the total distance you traveled, which is the all-purpose yards.

So, while a kickoff return might add to a player’s all-purpose yardage, it doesn’t count towards their scrimmage yards.

You bet! A touchdown from a kickoff or punt returner can be a game-changer in fantasy football. It’s like finding a hidden treasure chest filled with points.

While it’s true that some returners are superstars, it’s important to be a detective and track down the depth charts. You’ll want to know who’s returning kicks and punts for each team.

Think of it this way: You wouldn’t want to invest in a player who’s only on the field for a few minutes, right? The same goes for returners. You need to make sure your guy is getting opportunities to shine.

So, how do you choose the right returner for your fantasy team?

Here are a few things to consider:

Opportunities: Look for players who are consistently getting the ball in their hands. More returns mean more chances for big plays.
Talent: Some players are just naturally gifted at returning kicks and punts. They have the speed, agility, and vision to make those game-breaking plays.
Risk: Keep in mind that returners are also susceptible to injuries. Think of it as a double-edged sword. The potential for big points comes with the risk of losing a valuable player.

Here’s the bottom line: A solid returner can be a valuable asset to your fantasy team. But don’t just pick someone at random. Do your research and make sure you’re getting someone who has the potential to make a difference.

Remember, fantasy football is all about maximizing your chances of winning. And a skilled returner can give you that extra edge you need to come out on top.

If your fantasy football league awards points for kick return yards, players who return both kicks and punts can be valuable assets, even if they don’t rack up big numbers on offense. That’s because there are significantly more kick return yards available than punt return yards. If you need to prioritize return yards, focusing on kick returners is the way to go.

Why are kick return yards so valuable? Well, it’s all about the potential for big plays. While punt returns tend to be shorter and more controlled, kicks often offer a chance for explosive gains. Imagine a player catching a kickoff deep in their own territory and breaking free for a touchdown! That’s a game-changer, and it’s the kind of big play that fantasy leagues reward.

However, it’s important to be realistic about kick return yard production. Not every kick return results in a long gain. In fact, many are simply fair catches or short returns. That’s why it’s crucial to consider a player’s overall skillset and opportunities.

Look for players who are known for their speed, agility, and decision-making abilities. A good kick returner can make a significant impact on your fantasy team, but it’s vital to choose wisely and avoid players who are more likely to be tackled for short gains.

You always want to maximize every point and advantage possible in a game. Even a single point can determine the outcome of a game. Kick returners tend to gain more yards than punt returners even with the new kick return rules that result in a lot of touchbacks.

Let’s dive into why kick returners tend to gain more yards than punt returners. Kickoffs are typically launched with more force than punts, leading to longer hang times and more opportunities for the returner to gather the ball. Additionally, the kickoff is often returned from a spot closer to the end zone, giving the returner more space to run.

The difference in yardage gained often boils down to the strategic positioning of the kickoff and punt. Kickoffs typically have a deeper starting point compared to punts. This means the returner has more ground to cover, leading to more potential yardage. While a punt is usually aimed for the opponent’s 10-yard line, kickoffs are often launched from their own 35-yard line.

Moreover, kickoffs are generally kicked with more power, resulting in a higher hang time. This longer hang time provides the kick returner more time to make a decision on the return, potentially increasing the distance of the return. Punts, on the other hand, are kicked with a softer touch to achieve a more consistent distance and to make it harder for the returner to break a big run.

Kick returners have a bigger advantage over punt returners, allowing them to rack up more yards.

It’s important to understand the value of kick returns in fantasy football. In 2013, the Washington Redskins and Arizona Cardinals were the two worst teams at returning kicks. They averaged 20 yards per return. On the other hand, the Minnesota Vikings were the best team at returning punts, averaging 15.2 yards per return. If you are scoring points for a player’s return yards, make sure you target someone who returns kicks.

It’s important to note that these figures are just for the 2013 season. In other seasons, different teams may have been the best or worst. For example, in 2012, the New Orleans Saints were the best team at returning kicks, averaging over 25 yards per return.

Here are some factors that can affect a team’s kick return performance:

The skill of the returner: This is the most important factor. A talented returner can make a big difference, even if the team’s blocking is not great.
The quality of the blocking: The blockers need to give the returner time and space to make a play.
The team’s strategy: Some teams are more aggressive than others when it comes to returning kicks. They may try to take more risks, which can lead to big plays but also to more turnovers.

In general, if you are looking for a player who can help you score points in fantasy football through kick returns, it’s a good idea to target someone who plays for a team that is known for having a good return game. However, you should also consider the player’s individual skills and the team’s strategy when making your decision.

Fantasy Football Basics: Punt and Kick Return Yardage Guide

Do not target players who only return kicks and punts. Use return yardage as a bonus for individual players who are involved in the passing or rushing attack as well. Return points alone do not have enough value to justify starting a return man or even wasting a roster FullTime Fantasy

How does your league score punt/kick return touchdowns?

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