Following a challenging preseason for Cade York, the 2022 fourth-round draft pick, the Cleveland Browns have taken steps to bolster their kicking game. Recent reports indicate that the Browns have secured Dustin Hopkins from the Chargers in a trade arrangement. To finalize this trade, Cleveland will be sending a 2025 seventh-round pick to Los Angeles.
Multiple sources confirm that Cade York is expected to be released, paving the way for Dustin Hopkins to assume the role of the team’s kicker with immediate effect.
Dustin Hopkins had relinquished his kicking responsibilities with the Los Angeles Chargers to Cameron Dicker. Nevertheless, Hopkins showcased his proficiency during the preseason, successfully converting both of his field goal attempts and all three of his extra point kicks.
Having joined the Chargers in 2021, Hopkins originally held the kicking position into the 2022 season until an October hamstring injury disrupted his performance, causing him to miss the remainder of that season. Before the injury setback, Hopkins had an impressive track record, hitting 9 out of 10 field goals, making all 12 extra point attempts, and directing 90 percent of his kickoffs for touchbacks.
The 32-year-old Hopkins had a noteworthy tenure as Washington’s kicker from 2015 to 2021, demonstrating a solid career performance by connecting on 85 percent of his field goal attempts and an impressive 94 percent of his extra point kicks.
Cade York previously showcased his potential by securing a game-winning 58-yard field goal in Cleveland’s season opener against Carolina the previous year. However, his performance in the subsequent season was marked by inconsistency, converting only 24 of his 32 field goal attempts and missing a pair of extra points.
Despite demonstrating competence during practice sessions, Cade York’s preseason performance has been underwhelming, successfully converting only 4 of his 8 field goal attempts. Furthermore, a missed extra point during the preseason finale against the Chiefs was negated by a penalty.
These developments led the Browns to make the strategic move of acquiring Dustin Hopkins, a seasoned kicker with a proven track record, to enhance their kicking stability moving forward.
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