Riley T. Dixon Bio
Riley T. Dixon is an American professional football punter who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 24, 1993, in Oneida, New York, Dixon has built a steady career in professional football spanning multiple teams since entering the league in 2016. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the 228th overall pick after playing college football at Syracuse University. Dixon has established himself as a reliable punter known for his consistency and ability to pin opponents deep in their territory.
Early Life and Background
Riley T. Dixon grew up in Oneida, New York, where he attended Christian Brothers Academy in DeWitt, New York. During his high school years, Dixon played football and developed the skills that would eventually carry him to the collegiate level. His performance at the high school level demonstrated the foundation of his future career as a punter in professional football.
Path to American Football
Dixon continued his football journey at Syracuse University, joining the Syracuse Orange football team as a walk-on in 2011. His dedication and consistency paid off, as he eventually earned a starting position for three consecutive years. In his senior season during 2015, Dixon achieved a significant milestone by earning All-ACC Second-Team honors. He finished his college career ranking sixth in Syracuse history with an impressive average of 42.6 yards per punt, which showcased his talent and consistency as a collegiate punter.
Riley T. Dixon Career
Denver Broncos First Stint (2016–2017)
Dixon was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the 228th overall pick, becoming the second of three punters selected in that draft. He signed a four-year, $2.42 million rookie contract on May 11, 2016, which included a signing bonus of $80,009. Dixon won the starting punting job on August 30, 2016, after the Broncos released veteran Britton Colquitt. In his debut season, he made NFL history by achieving a 41.3 net average as a rookie, which stands as the highest rookie net average in league history. He also threw a 16-yard pass on a fake punt during a game on December 11, 2016, becoming only the second Broncos punter ever to throw a pass, following Chris Norman in 1986. Dixon was named to the 2016 All-Rookie Team, becoming the first Bronco to earn that honor since Chris Harris Jr. and Von Miller in 2011. In the 2017 season, he continued his solid performance with 73 punts for 3,331 net yards and a 45.63 average.
New York Giants (2018–2021)
On April 20, 2018, Dixon was traded to the New York Giants in exchange for a 2019 conditional seventh-round draft pick after the Broncos signed former Raiders punter Marquette King. He quickly became the Giants’ starting punter and maintained his consistency throughout his tenure. On December 8, 2019, Dixon signed a three-year contract extension with the Giants, securing his place with the team. He finished the 2019 season with 69 punts for 3,178 yards and a 46.1 average. During the 2020 season, Dixon achieved a career milestone by kicking a 71-yard punt against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 15, which became the longest punt of his career. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Giants on November 18, 2020, and was activated on November 23. He finished the 2020 season with 65 punts for 2,911 yards and a 44.8 average. In 2021, the Giants restructured Dixon’s contract on December 21 to create salary cap space, and he finished the season with 74 punts for 3,283 yards and a 44.4 average.
Los Angeles Rams (2022)
On March 10, 2022, the Giants released Dixon, and he quickly found a new home by signing with the Los Angeles Rams on April 5, 2022, on a one-year contract. During his lone season with the Rams, Dixon played a memorable game in Week 16 against his former team, the Broncos. The Rams defeated Denver 51-14 in a Christmas Day contest, and the remarkable aspect was that the team never punted the ball during the entire game. This marked Dixon’s first career zero-punt game, a unique achievement in his professional career. He finished the 2022 season with 71 punts for 3,434 yards and a 48.4 average, his highest single-season average at that point in his career.
Denver Broncos Second Stint (2023–2024)
On March 21, 2023, Dixon returned to where his professional career began, signing a two-year contract with the Denver Broncos. This homecoming allowed him to reunite with the organization that originally drafted him. In the 2023 season, Dixon demonstrated his veteran consistency with 79 punts for 3,659 yards and a 46.3 average. He continued his solid performance into the 2024 season, recording 77 punts for 3,597 yards and a 46.7 average. A highlight of his second Broncos tenure came during a Wild Card playoff matchup against the Buffalo Bills in January 2025, where Dixon completed a 17-yard pass to Marvin Mims on a fake punt play, showcasing his versatility and football IQ in a high-stakes moment.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2025–Present)
On March 13, 2025, Dixon signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, marking a new chapter in his career with one of the NFL’s storied franchises. He quickly made an impact with his new team. In Week 13 of the 2025 season, Dixon delivered an exceptional performance against the Arizona Cardinals, punted five times with two landing inside the 10-yard line in a narrow 20-17 Buccaneers victory. His performance earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, demonstrating his immediate value to the team. He finished the 2025 season with 63 punts for 2,815 yards and a 44.7 average, helping the Buccaneers maintain strong field position throughout the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a punter, Dixon has built his reputation on consistency and placement ability. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong leg capable of generating impressive distance, including his career-long 71-yard punt. His ability to pin opponents deep in their territory is reflected in his 260 career punts landing inside the 20-yard line. Dixon has also shown versatility with his passing ability on fake punts, having completed passes in both his rookie season and during the 2024 playoffs, making him a dual-threat option in special teams situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dixon’s career has featured several memorable moments that highlight his unique skill set. His rookie season with the Broncos was historic, as his 41.3 net average set the NFL record for the highest rookie net average in league history. The fake punt pass plays have become a signature aspect of his career, with his 16-yard pass in 2016 and his 17-yard playoff pass in 2024 demonstrating his unexpected throwing ability. His Week 16 zero-punt game with the Rams in 2022 and his NFC Special Teams Player of the Week performance in 2025 represent additional milestones in a career marked by consistency and clutch performances.
Riley T. Dixon Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2016 to 2025, Dixon has established himself as one of the more reliable punters in the league. His career statistics reflect his consistent performance across nine seasons with multiple teams. He has accumulated over 33,000 punting yards with a career average of 45.8 yards per punt and has placed 260 punts inside the 20-yard line while limiting touchbacks to just 46.
NFL Career Highlights
Dixon’s most impressive statistical season came in 2022 with the Rams, where he averaged 48.4 yards per punt, his highest single-season mark. His rookie season remains one of the most statistically significant, as his 41.3 net average set an NFL record for rookies. The 71-yard punt he kicked against the Eagles in 2020 stands as his career longest, while his 260 career punts inside the 20 demonstrate his excellence at flipping the field. His ability to contribute on fake punt plays has added an extra dimension to his game, with successful passing touchdowns in both the regular season and playoffs. Dixon continues to be a productive NFL punter entering his tenth professional season.
Other Achievements
Before his NFL career, Dixon earned recognition at the collegiate level with his First-team All-ACC selection in 2015 during his senior season at Syracuse. He finished his college career ranked sixth in school history with his 42.6 yards per punt average, establishing the foundation for his professional success. His journey from a walk-on at Syracuse to a seventh-round NFL Draft pick and eventual All-Rookie Team selection showcases his work ethic and determination to succeed at the highest level of football.
| Season | Team | Punts | Yards | Average | Inside 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Denver Broncos | 89 | 3,674 | 41.3 | 26 |
| 2017 | Denver Broncos | 73 | 3,331 | 45.6 | 27 |
| 2018 | New York Giants | 71 | 3,226 | 45.4 | 23 |
| 2019 | New York Giants | 69 | 3,178 | 46.1 | 28 |
| 2020 | New York Giants | 65 | 2,911 | 44.8 | 22 |
| 2021 | New York Giants | 74 | 3,283 | 44.4 | 24 |
| 2022 | Los Angeles Rams | 71 | 3,434 | 48.4 | 26 |
| 2023 | Denver Broncos | 79 | 3,659 | 46.3 | 31 |
| 2024 | Denver Broncos | 77 | 3,597 | 46.7 | 27 |
| 2025 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 63 | 2,815 | 44.7 | 26 |
Riley T. Dixon Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Riley T. Dixon’s family background, including details about his parents, siblings, or any family connections to professional football, is not widely available. He maintains a relatively private personal life away from the football field.
Personal Life
Riley T. Dixon maintains a professional approach to his career and keeps his personal life largely out of the public eye. He was born on August 24, 1993, in Oneida, New York, and attended Christian Brothers Academy in DeWitt, New York, for high school. Dixon continues to maintain a presence on social media, where he shares glimpses of his professional football career with his followers.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant transition for Riley T. Dixon as he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization. Signed to a two-year, $6 million contract in March 2025, Dixon was tasked with replacing the departed punter and immediately stepped into the starting role. His veteran experience and track record of consistency made him a valuable addition to the Buccaneers’ special teams unit. Throughout the season, Dixon demonstrated the reliability that has characterized his career, providing the team with a consistent weapon in the punting game.
One of the defining moments of Dixon’s 2025 season came in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals. In a closely contested 20-17 Buccaneers victory, Dixon delivered an exceptional performance, punted five times with two of those punts landing inside the 10-yard line. His ability to pin the Cardinals deep in their territory proved crucial in the narrow win, and his performance earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. This recognition highlighted his continued ability to make game-changing contributions despite being in his tenth NFL season.
Dixon finished the 2025 season with 63 punts for 2,815 yards and a 44.7 average, continuing his streak of productive seasons. His 26 punts inside the 20-yard line demonstrated his excellence at flippling the field, while his overall consistency helped the Buccaneers’ defense by giving them favorable field position throughout the season. Looking ahead, Dixon’s two-year contract through 2027 suggests the Buccaneers view him as a long-term solution at the punter position, and his strong debut season has positioned him well to continue contributing to a team with championship aspirations.