The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) announced their annual All-Rookie team on Tuesday, and Buffalo Bills punt returner Brandon Codrington was selected to the roster.
Codrington, 24, was not drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft nor was he signed as an undrafted free agent immediately following the draft. The cornerback and returner from North Carolina Central University needed a rookie mini-camp tryout with the New York Jets to get an opportunity. Codrington then made the most of that opportunity with the Jets.
In the preseason, Codrington had two kick returns for 75 yards but stood out most as a punt returner where he had six returns for 83 yards. Codrington finished the preseason with the third-most punt return yardage in the league. Part of Codrington’s success was due to his versatility. He finished the preseason with 15 missed tackles on his returns. Despite his success, the Jets were willing to move Codrington in-division as they already had Xavier Gipson as their return man. Buffalo sent 2026 sixth-round pick to the Jets in exchange for Codrington and a 2026 seventh-round pick.
Codrington’s success in the preseason with the Jets carried over to the regular season with the Bills. The rookie would record 27 punt returns as a rookie for 313 yards (11.6 YPR). Among punt returners with 25 punts or more, Codrington’s yard per return average was only behind Marvin Mims Jr., Marcus Jones and Khalif Raymond.
Codrington also added 306 yards on 11 kick returns (27.8 YPR) in his rookie season with the Bills.
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