Returners

Return Specialists, or Returners, are special teams players that specialize in returning punts and kicks. For a comparable active player in the NFL, see Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears. Most coaches would agree that 80/0/20 is the perfect QST for a returner, but other values do have their merits.

In the charts below, I am using a Level 10 60/20/20 Gunner, L10 Returners, and a L10 0/50/50 Punter and Kicker. The only variable is the QST value of the returner.



As shown in the above chart, Technique-heavy Returners are quite capable at returning punts, and given the right circumstances might even fare a little better than a Quick Returner. They are most certainly less valuable, however, when it comes to returning kicks.



The QST value of a Returner also affects the chance to fumble the ball. During each Return, there are two chances to fumble the ball – first on the catch, denoted by the blue line in the chart above, then on the return itself, denoted by the red line. You can see that the Technique-based Returners have a very small chance to fumble, while Quick Returners have a 20% chance to fumble on every kick and punt catch.