Kickers and punters are two of the most important positions in the NFL, but they are also two of the most overlooked. While they don’t get the same attention as quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive linemen, kickers, and punters can often be the difference between winning and losing in close games.
So, do NFL teams spend high draft picks on kickers and punters? Yes, it’s a possibility, but it’s rather uncommon. In the history of the NFL, only 19 kickers and punters have been drafted in the first two rounds.
What are kickers and punters responsible for in the NFL?
The kickers’ role involves executing field goals and extra point kicks. Punters are responsible for punting the ball away to the other team after an offensive possession ends. Both positions play important roles in special teams, which can often be the difference between winning and losing in close games.
How important are kickers and punters to the success of an NFL team?
Kickers and punters are essential to the success of any NFL team. A good kicker can provide a team with a reliable way to score points, even on drives where the offense stalls out. A good punter can help a team control the field position and pin the other team deep in their own territory.
Do NFL teams spend high draft picks on kickers and punters?
NFL teams do spend high draft picks on kickers and punters, but it’s not very common. In the history of the NFL, only 19 kickers and punters have been drafted in the first two rounds. The most recent example was Sebastian Janikowski, who was drafted in the first round by the Oakland Raiders in 2000.
History of high draft picks for kickers and punters
The first kicker or punter to be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft was Ray Guy in 1973. Guy was a six-time All-Pro and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
Other notable kickers and punters who have been drafted in the first two rounds include:
Janikowski (2000, first round)
Mike Nugent (2005, second round)
Ryan Succop (2009, fifth round)
Justin Tucker (2012, sixth round)
Jake Moody (2023, fifth round)
Recent trends in high draft picks for kickers and punters
In recent years, there has been a trend of NFL teams drafting kickers and punters later in the draft. This is likely due to the fact that there are more good kickers and punters available in college football than ever before.
In the 2023 NFL Draft, only one kicker (Jake Moody) and one punter (Jake Forbath) were drafted. Both athletes were selected during the fifth round of the draft.
Why don’t NFL teams spend high draft picks on kickers and punters more often?
There are a few reasons why NFL teams don’t spend high draft picks on kickers and punters more often:
The value of other positions in the NFL: Other positions, such as quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive end, are considered to be more important to the success of an NFL team. Teams are more willing to spend high draft picks on these positions because they have a greater impact on the game.
The uncertainty of kicker and punter success: There is no guarantee that a kicker or punter drafted in the early rounds will be successful in the NFL. Even the best kickers and punters can have bad years or even go through long slumps.
When do NFL teams spend high draft picks on kickers and punters?
NFL teams typically only spend high draft picks on kickers and punters when they:
To fill a need: If a team has a need at the kicker or punter position, they may be more willing to spend a high draft pick to address it. For example, the Raiders drafted Janikowski in the first round in 2000 because they had not had a good kicker in several years.
To get a generational talent: If a team believes that a particular kicker or punter is a generational talent, they may be willing to spend a high draft pick on them. For example, the Ravens drafted Tucker in the sixth round in 2012 because they believed that he was a special talent.
Is it worth spending a high draft pick on a kicker or punter?
There is no easy answer to this question. It depends on a number of factors, including the team’s needs and the value of other players available in the draft.
Arguments for:
A good kicker or punter can be a game-changer. They can provide a team with a reliable way to score points or control the field position.
A good kicker or punter can have a long career. Some kickers and punters have played in the NFL for over 20 years.
Arguments against:
There is no guarantee that a kicker or punter drafted in the early rounds will be successful in the NFL.
Even the best kickers and punters can have bad years or even go through long slumps.
Other positions, such as quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive end, are considered to be more important to the success of an NFL team.
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Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to spend a high draft pick on a kicker or punter is up to the individual team. Compelling arguments exist from various perspectives on this matter. Teams need to weigh the potential benefits and risks before making a decision.
Kickers and punters are two of the most important positions in the NFL, but they are also two of the most overlooked. While they don’t get the same attention as quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive linemen, kickers, and punters can often be the difference between winning and losing in close games.
Teams need to carefully consider the potential benefits and risks before deciding whether or not to spend a high draft pick on a kicker or punter.
FAQs
What is the highest draft pick ever used on a kicker or punter?
The highest draft pick ever used on a kicker was in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft, when the Oakland Raiders selected Sebastian Janikowski.
Which kicker or punter has had the longest career in NFL history?
The kicker or punter with the longest career in NFL history is Jeff Feagles. Feagles played for 22 seasons, from 1988 to 2009.
Which kicker or punter has won the most Super Bowls?
The kicker or punter who has won the most Super Bowls is Adam Vinatieri. Vinatieri has won four Super Bowls, three with the New England Patriots and one with the Indianapolis Colts.
What is the most important factor to consider when drafting a kicker or punter?
The most important factor to consider when drafting a kicker or punter is their consistency. Teams want to draft kickers and punters who can be relied upon to make their kicks, even in pressure situations.
What are some of the challenges that kickers and punters face?
Some of the challenges that kickers and punters face include:
Dealing with the pressure of kicking in big games
Dealing with the elements, such as wind and rain
Dealing with injuries, such as hamstring injuries and back injuries
