Ranking the 10 best Carolina Panthers players from 2022 season

Johnny Hekker – Carolina Panthers P

• 81 punts
• 48.5 yards per punt (9th in NFL)
• 7.41% touchback rate (20th)
• 39 punts inside the 20-yard line (1st)

Like Austin Corbett, Johnny Hekker signed with the Carolina Panthers in free agency after helping the Los Angeles Rams secure Super Bowl success. The defense played well for most of the season, and one big reason is their punter was among the NFL’s best.

Even though he ranked No. 20 in touchback percentage and No. 9 in punting average, Hekker consistently backed teams up inside their own 20-yard line. Combine this with field-flipping punts when Carolina drives ended early and you have an elite kicking presence that can seriously aid the defense.

Hekker is also considered one of, if not the best punter in fake situations. A valuable asset to have even when Carolina did not run such a play more often than not.

Special teams’ play is often overlooked by fans, but it can change the outcome in a big way when executed right. Hekker’s impact this season cannot be overstated and his arrival was one of the more underrated acquisitions made by the Panthers last spring.

Thankfully for the Panthers, Hekker is under contract for two more seasons, meaning that they will continue to have one of the best punt units in the NFL. Whether coordinator Chris Tabor sticks around under a new coaching regime is another matter.