Top 5 all-time punt returners in Cleveland Browns history

Cleveland Browns – No. 1: Eric Metcalf, 1989-1994

Another Browns player that did a bit of everything for the Browns, Eric Metcalf had some dazzling punt returns too that make him No. 1 in history. He played six seasons with the Browns from 1989-1994. He was drafted out of Texas and was used in all three phases of the game as he was a pass catcher, running back, and returner. Every time you watched him play you thought he was going to take one to the house.

In his career as a returner in Cleveland, he ran back five punts and two kickoffs. For his career, he returned 127 punts for 1341 yards and had 139 kick returns as well for 2806 yards. You add in the fact that he caught 297 passes for 2,732 yards with 15 touchdowns and carried the ball 592 times for 2,229 yards and 11 touchdowns and one can see what an impressive impact Metcalf had for his team.

In one of his most memorable games as a Brown, Metcalf dazzled the home crowd in a winning effort against the Steelers on a late afternoon game under the lights in late October game in 1993. In the 28-23 victory, Metcalf had a spectacular 91-yard punt return for his first touchdown.

He wasn’t done either as he had one more return in store as he closed out the Steelers late in the fourth quarter with a 75-yard touchdown punt return scamper that to this day is one of many Cleveland fans’ favorite highlights to watch in history.

After Metcalf finished his time in Cleveland, he continued to play in the NFL for another seven seasons. He had another five punt returns in those latter years including three in 1997 when he played for the San Diego Chargers.