Top 5 Returners in Atlanta Falcons History

One of the most exciting plays in the game is back. Kickoff returners are relevant again with the NFL’s new kickoff rules trying to breathe new life into the game. A part of the game that historically swung the tide of the game was now just a ceremonial play. Seeing a return attempt was a surprise that came from either a bad kick or a poor decision by the returner.

With the return of the kickoff, the door is now open for returning star players. And for a franchise that is seemingly cursed, the Falcons have a surprisingly rich history of talented options. Arguably, three of the best returning players in league history have suited up for the Falcons during their respective careers, making the list of Atlanta’s best representatives surprisingly long.

When ranking the best returners in Atlanta history, the entire career was taken into account. It’s not just about what you accomplished with the Falcons, but about your career as a whole. While Atlanta’s numbers carry more weight, both are taken into account.

Rule changes and the degree of difficulty must also be taken into account. Changes in how players are allowed to tackle and where the ball is kicked from have changed the game significantly over the years. It is difficult to account for these, but they must be taken into account when determining the degree of difficulty.

Career touchdowns and average return yards will be given special attention. Given that the position requires explosive speed and good fitness, players who have managed to stay on the field for long periods of time should also be rewarded handsomely.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top five returning players in Atlanta Falcons history, starting with a recent name that fans will remember fondly.

Honorable Mention: Eric Weems

If there’s one player who doesn’t make the list, he has a legitimate argument to be on it, and that’s Eric Weems. The former Falcons player returned kicks from 2007-16, averaging 25.3 yards per kick return. Weems also scored a punt return touchdown and a kick return touchdown during his time with the Falcons.

However, he was a good returner, but never excellent.

Yes, some players on this list haven’t had the same level of sustained career output. However, the former Falcon is out due to his lower ceiling, even if you can to make his argument before the first member of the real ranking.

5. Allen Rossum

Many young Atlanta fans are probably unfamiliar with Allen Rossum and his impact on the return game. Rossum leads Atlanta in kick return yards with 5,489. However, he and Eric Weems are still in a strong position for fifth place.

While the top 4 is firmly secured, the deciding factor that pushes Rossum into the top 5 is his impressive kick return average and the stats he holds over Weems. Rossum was a key part of Atlanta’s bad teams and was consistently underrated.

The former Falcon was with the franchise from 2002 to 2006. He has three career return touchdowns: two on punts and a memorable touchdown on a kick return.

Rossum finds his way into the top five simply because of his impressive career and the fact that you can’t fully tell the story of the Atlanta position without mentioning his name.

4. Darrick Vaughn

Darrick Vaughn ranks above Atlanta’s all-time leading player in kick return yards because of how much he accomplished in such a short time. He leads the franchise in career kick returns for touchdowns, with four for touchdowns despite playing only three seasons in the league.

Vaughn leads all eligible candidates in yards per return, averaging 25.7. While his career was short-lived, his impact and ability to make big plays cannot be forgotten. He is tied for 19th in kick returns for a touchdown in league history, which further strengthens his chances of making this impressive list.

Whether you prefer Rossum or Vaugn depends on how much you value big plays over consistency. Given that the goal of a comeback is a momentum-changing play, Vaughn is our pick here.

3. Cordarrelle Patterson

It’s a little odd that the league’s all-time leading punt return touchdown player is ranked No. 3. However, that ranking is based solely on Cardarrelle Patterson’s time in Atlanta, and it’s a little hard to gauge that time based on the timeline.

The NFL had made the kickoff a ceremonial play, and Patterson still managed to record a touchdown return during his time in Atlanta, setting the all-time record. What’s more, he did it while playing a major role on offense and displaying impressive longevity.

What made Patterson so unique as a returner was the fact that he didn’t appear to have elite speed or size. Yet, something changed when you put the ball in his hands.

The veteran joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2024 offseason, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him extend his own record with new kickoff rules in place.

Much like Patterson, if top player Devin Hester had joined Atlanta, there’s no doubt he’d be on this list.

Hester is a perfect example of why the NFL needed to bring this game back so badly: an otherwise underachieving player turned into a pro at returning kicks and punts. How many games did Hester play on special teams in his career?

While Hester is a GOAT when it comes to return specialists, he doesn’t top the list for two reasons. The first is that his time in Atlanta was extremely short, with most of his memorable plays coming in Chicago. The second is that it came at the end of his prime. He averaged 25.2 yards per return, but was never able to pick off a single one in Atlanta.

Hester did have one memorable punt return that moved him closer to the top, though. He passed Deion Sanders in combined punt and kick return touchdowns for the Falcons in a 56-14 blowout win over Tampa Bay, cementing an iconic moment. Hester could have an argument for the next member of our list when it comes to full careers, but not just for the Falcons franchise.

1. Deion Sanders

Atlanta received three of the best returners in the history of the game. Yes, Patterson and Hester were both in the tail end of their primes. However, all three players had memorable moments and are a must-have at the top of the rankings, regardless of preference.

Deion Sanders has recovered five total kicks in his career, returning two punts and three kickoffs for touchdowns. While some players have had more longevity or better combined numbers, anyone who has seen Sanders’ video understands that this is where he belongs. If he weren’t also one of the best cornerbacks of his era, it would be fun to consider what he could have accomplished simply as a full-time returner.

Sanders was electric as both a corner and a returner. Early in his career, his speed was overlooked and allowed the former Falcon to score nine career return touchdowns — a number it would take nearly two decades for another former Falcon to beat.