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Top 15 returners

In most leagues, returnmen play a very small role on fantasy teams. Even when they are mentioned, they are lumped in with a team's defense. In other leagues they play just as important of a role as they do for their real teams on Sunday. Even in those leagues where your only special teams points come with the defense, it is still important to look at the return game. The defense and special team's roster spot might not be the most important on your fantasy team, but it is about a lot more than points given up per game.

1. WR Devin Hester, CHI (WR - #98)

Kick and punt returners are notoriously inconsistent from year to year and that is why Devin Hester is not just the best active returner in the NFL, but one of the best ever. That is after just two years in the league. Hester's kick return average went down quite a bit in 2007 compared to 2006, but he made up for it with better punt returning. After bursting onto the scene in 2006 with five special team touchdowns during the regular season, Hester surpassed that total last season.

2. WR Josh Cribbs, CLE (WR - #133)

Cleveland's Joshua Cribbs is the only player who could potentially match Devin Hester's explosiveness in the return game. Cribbs proved to be a consistent player last year and averaged an amazing 30.7 yards per kickoff return. Add in 13.5 yards per punt return and Cribbs easily garnered the most yards of any returner last season. Cribbs returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and one punt, which is certainly not bad, but that is where he falls slightly behind Hester.

3. RB Leon Washington, NYJ (RB - #53)

Leon Washington only returned 47 kicks in 2007( which is well below most of the other top returners), but he made those 47 count. Washington averaged 27.5 yards per kickoff return (which ranks second only to Joshua Cribbs among player with at least 35 opportunities); three of those were returned for touchdowns. Washington is not as prolific at returning punts, but he is not bad either and will at least rack up a few more yards off punts.

4. WR Ted Ginn, MIA (WR - #51)

Ted Ginn might not have the best kickoff return average around, tallying just 22.7 yards per attempt, but he certainly gets a lot of opportunities. His 63 returns tied for the NFL high in 2007. That is what happens when you are the return man for the Dolphins and the opposition scores a lot of points on you…after they score, they must kickoff. The same concept hindered Ginn's punt returning duties, but at the least Ginn is one of the most explosive players in the open space in the NFL and a year of experience should make him better.

5. WR Steve Breaston, ARI

Arizona's Steve Breaston quietly moved his way up return men lists as last season progressed. The former Wolverine only reached the endzone once, but he proved to be a relatively consistent returner in both the kicking and punting game. The numbers went down a little bit late in the year, but that is not too surprising for a rookie. He will be better prepared for a 16 game schedule during his sophomore campaign, but if he ends up playing a bigger role as a wide receiver he might get tired again.