Top 5 all-time punt returners in Cleveland Browns history
By John Suchan
Cleveland Browns – No. 3 Dennis Northcutt, 2000-2006
Northcutt was a multitalented wide receiver and punt returner that played for the Browns from 2000-2006. He collected 276 passes for 3,438 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also excelled in returning punts. He had 202 returns for 2,149 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2002 he brought back two punts for scores including one from 87 yards out. That 2002 season was one of Northcutt’s best. He collected eight total touchdowns that also included five touchdowns as a wide receiver and one more on the ground.
Northcutt’s career in Cleveland is remembered by some because of the pass he didn’t catch in a 2002 playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the Browns only needing to run out the clock with one more first down, he, unfortunately, dropped a sure catch at the end of the game and fans always remember that moment.
It’s too bad because, in that game, Northcutt was everything to the team. He caught six passes for 92 yards that included two touchdowns. He also returned two punts for 70 yards. Northcutt went on to play in Jacksonville and Detroit after he left Cleveland and continued to be used in the passing and return game.
He was never that household name player, but he did a lot for his teams that went unnoticed over his career. If he had caught that pass to secure a rare playoff win for the Browns back in 2002, his name might be more popular today.