Riley Dixon Bio
Riley T. Dixon (born August 24, 1993) is an American professional football punter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft and played college football for the Syracuse Orange.
Over the course of his professional career, Dixon has built a reputation as a reliable directional punter with strong net averages and the willingness to execute fake punts in critical moments. He has also earned recognition as a first-team All-ACC selection and a PFWA All-Rookie Team honoree.
Early Life and Background
Riley T. Dixon was born on August 24, 1993, in Oneida, New York, in the United States. He grew up in Central New York, where football is a central part of community life. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and listed at 100 kilograms, Dixon developed the frame that would later suit the punting role at the professional level.
He attended Christian Brothers Academy in DeWitt, New York, where he played high school football. The Brothers program produced Dixon as both a kicker and punter, and his accuracy in flipping field position drew early attention from college scouts across the Northeast.
Coming out of high school, Dixon was not a heavily recruited specialist. Instead, he accepted a preferred walk-on opportunity with the Syracuse Orange, choosing to develop at a program known for producing professional kicking talent.
Path to American Football
Dixon joined the Syracuse Orange football team in 2011 as a walk-on. He spent his first seasons working on consistency, hang time, and directional control before eventually earning the starting punter job. His development reflected patience, as he competed against scholarship specialists and gradually built a résumé of competitive averages.
During his three seasons as the starter at Syracuse, Dixon became a steady presence for the Orange. He finished ranked sixth in Syracuse history with a career average of 42.6 yards per punt, a mark that demonstrated both his distance and his consistency inside program records.
In 2015, Dixon was recognized as a first-team All-ACC selection, a significant honor for a walk-on who had not been recruited as a scholarship athlete. That postseason recognition helped position him as a legitimate NFL prospect heading into his senior year and the subsequent draft process.
Riley Dixon Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Dixon was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft with the 228th overall pick. He was the second of three punters selected in the 2016 draft class. On May 11, 2016, the Broncos signed him to a four-year, $2.42 million rookie contract that included an $80,009 signing bonus.
He won the starting punter job on August 30, 2016, when Denver released veteran Britton Colquitt. In his rookie season, Dixon punted 89 times for a 41.3 net average, the highest net average by a rookie in NFL history. He was named to the 2016 PFWA All-Rookie Team, becoming the first Broncos player selected since Chris Harris Jr. and Von Miller in 2011. In 2017, he recorded 73 punts for 3,331 net yards and a 45.63 average.
New York Giants Era (2018–2021)
On April 20, 2018, Dixon was traded to the New York Giants for a 2019 conditional seventh-round draft pick after the Broncos signed former Raiders punter Marquette King. He stepped in as the Giants’ punter and produced a strong 2018 season, recording 71 punts for 3,226 net yards and a 45.44 average.
On December 8, 2019, Dixon signed a three-year contract extension with the Giants, cementing his long-term role with the organization. On November 15, 2020, he recorded the longest punt of his career, a 71-yard kick against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was briefly placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in November 2020 before being activated later that month. On December 21, 2021, the Giants restructured his contract to create cap space, and on March 10, 2022, Dixon was released.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2022)
On April 5, 2022, Dixon signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams. In Week 16, the Rams beat the Denver Broncos 51–14 without ever punting the ball, marking the first zero-punt game of Dixon’s career. That Christmas Day contest highlighted both the offensive dominance of the Rams and Dixon’s willingness to remain ready even on a quiet afternoon.
Denver Broncos Second Stint (2023–2024)
On March 21, 2023, Dixon signed a two-year contract to return to the Denver Broncos. He provided veteran stability at punter for the franchise that originally drafted him. During a 2024 Wild Card playoff matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Dixon completed a 17-yard pass to Marvin Mims on a fake punt play, contributing one of the defining special-teams moments of the Broncos’ postseason run.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2025–Present)
On March 13, 2025, Dixon signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bringing veteran experience to the team’s special-teams unit. In Week 13, he punted five times with two landing inside the 10-yard line during a 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Driving Style and Strengths
Dixon is best known for his directional punting, his high net averages, and his composure in pressure situations. His willingness to attempt and complete fake punts, including passes against the Eagles in 2016 and the Bills in 2024, has added an aggressive layer to his game. He has also been praised for his ability to flip field position, a hallmark of his work in Denver, New York, Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, and on his return to Denver.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dixon’s most notable milestones include setting the NFL rookie record for net punting average in 2016, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors, recording a career-long 71-yard punt against the Eagles in 2020, and being named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2025. His fake-punt completions against the Eagles and Bills remain signature plays in his career.
Riley Dixon Career Highlights
Denver Broncos Highlights
Across his two stints with the Denver Broncos, Dixon emerged as one of the franchise’s most consistent punters of the past decade. His rookie net average of 41.3 set an NFL record for first-year punters, and his 2016 All-Rookie selection reaffirmed his immediate impact. His 2017 follow-up of 73 punts and a 45.63 average reinforced his value before his 2018 departure.
New York Giants Highlights
With the Giants, Dixon produced four full seasons of reliable work, headlined by a 45.44 average in 2018 and a 71-yard career-long punt in 2020. His three-year extension in 2019 reflected the franchise’s confidence in his consistency before cap-related moves ended his tenure in 2022.
Other Performances
Dixon’s single season with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 included his first zero-punt game against the Broncos in Week 16. His return to Denver in 2023 brought veteran leadership, and his 2025 signing with the Buccaneers added an NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award to his résumé.
Riley Dixon Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Dixon is a United States national who was raised in Central New York. Public information about his immediate family is limited, and no detailed lineage in football has been widely documented. He attended Christian Brothers Academy in DeWitt, an institution known for producing disciplined student-athletes.
Personal Life
Publicly verified personal-life details for Riley T. Dixon are limited, and additional information about a spouse, children, or extended family has not been confirmed in available sources. He has remained based in the United States throughout his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Dixon’s 2025 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has marked a productive chapter in his career. Signed to a two-year, $6 million contract in March, he has provided veteran stability to a Buccaneers special-teams unit seeking consistent field-position play. His Week 13 performance against the Arizona Cardinals, five punts with two inside the 10-yard line in a 20-17 win, earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
His role within the Buccaneers’ scheme emphasizes directional punting and poise under pressure, qualities that have defined his career since his 2016 rookie season. Coach Sean Tucker’s staff has leaned on Dixon’s experience as the team navigates a competitive NFC South race. With the postseason approaching, Dixon’s consistency on special teams could play a meaningful role in Tampa Bay’s push.
Looking forward, Dixon’s contract runs through the 2026 season, and his 2025 performance suggests he remains a reliable veteran asset. If his directional accuracy and net-average trends continue, he is likely to remain an important piece of the Buccaneers’ special-teams plans in 2026 and beyond.