ESPN's Top 25 Draft Prospects This Year
-
? Agreed. After we narrow it all down to the ones that are capable of throwing accurate forward passes - we only need LT, CB, EDGE/DE, DT, LB, S, RB, K plus depth at C, LG, RT, LT, RG, SS, FS, TE, CB, WR. Not for nothing, we could also use projected starters with better durability. That's why any prospects coming off major injuries last year/recently, regardless of how talented they are - might not be right for this team.
I'm not advocating that we waste a pick on a kicker though. Before Hopkins got hurt near the end of the 2023 season - that felt like one of the best seasons we had from a Kicker since Dawson. Even a guy like Adam Vinatieri wasn't drafted fwiw.
I don't think a pick on a kicker is a waste, as long as he is the right kicker. We also have several later round picks. I could see using one of those on a kicker. If he doesn't work out, I don't see that as any worse than drafting some back-up safety who ends up covering punts his entire 3 year career.
I don't think a pick on a kicker is a waste, as long as he is the right kicker. We also have several later round picks. I could see using one of those on a kicker. If he doesn't work out, I don't see that as any worse than drafting some back-up safety who ends up covering punts his entire 3 year career.
True; and I'm sure you're not the only one feeling like that. My feeling is the Browns have drafted 3 kickers in recent years that didn't stick for very long at all - beginning with Zane Gonzalez & Austin Seibert. The last one they drafted was Cade York. I think Gonzalez was successful enough in college to earn the Lou Groza Award kicking in that dry Arizona climate that is nothing like Cleveland. The trend leads me to think this route isn't a good investment. I think the Browns should consider bringing in some rookie free agent kickers to compete with a veteran getting recycled. The year we got Hopkins he was having a great year up until he injured his leg on the kickoff team in the last third of the regular season.
-
Just to expound on drafting a kicker...I don't think it is waste, but on the other hand you can usually find a FA guy who has kicked around from team to team before he finds his footing....no double pun intended. So I am not advocating we draft one.
If a guy can kick in college, he can kick in the pro's. In theory anyway. Actually, kicking in college is harder due to the wider hash marks.
I guess it is a pressure thing, but it shouldn't be. Kicking is kicking. If a guy kicked at any major program he was kicking in front of large crowds and had to make a few last second kicks somewhere along the line. I suppose the pressure of losing a paycheck is greater than losing a scholarship, but it still boils down to see the ball, kick the ball.
Fans may not see a bad hold, but the special teams coach will be able to see that a hold is on it's side or 30 degrees towards the center. At least inside the team the kicker isn't going to be responsible for what might look like a horrible kick.
Tom, you were a good HS player. Somewhere along the line you tee'd up a ball and kicked it just to see how you could do. Did you tee it up with the nose of the ball pointing in the direction you were kicking? You know what i am saying.
-
Just to expound on drafting a kicker...I don't think it is waste, but on the other hand you can usually find a FA guy who has kicked around from team to team before he finds his footing....no double pun intended. So I am not advocating we draft one.
If a guy can kick in college, he can kick in the pro's. In theory anyway. Actually, kicking in college is harder due to the wider hash marks.
I guess it is a pressure thing, but it shouldn't be. Kicking is kicking. If a guy kicked at any major program he was kicking in front of large crowds and had to make a few last second kicks somewhere along the line. I suppose the pressure of losing a paycheck is greater than losing a scholarship, but it still boils down to see the ball, kick the ball.
Fans may not see a bad hold, but the special teams coach will be able to see that a hold is on it's side or 30 degrees towards the center. At least inside the team the kicker isn't going to be responsible for what might look like a horrible kick.
Tom, you were a good HS player. Somewhere along the line you tee'd up a ball and kicked it just to see how you could do. Did you tee it up with the nose of the ball pointing in the direction you were kicking? You know what i am saying.
Just to expound on drafting a kicker...I don't think it is waste, but on the other hand you can usually find a FA guy who has kicked around from team to team before he finds his footing....no double pun intended. So I am not advocating we draft one.
If a guy can kick in college, he can kick in the pro's. In theory anyway. Actually, kicking in college is harder due to the wider hash marks.
I guess it is a pressure thing, but it shouldn't be. Kicking is kicking. If a guy kicked at any major program he was kicking in front of large crowds and had to make a few last second kicks somewhere along the line. I suppose the pressure of losing a paycheck is greater than losing a scholarship, but it still boils down to see the ball, kick the ball.
Fans may not see a bad hold, but the special teams coach will be able to see that a hold is on it's side or 30 degrees towards the center. At least inside the team the kicker isn't going to be responsible for what might look like a horrible kick.
Tom, you were a good HS player. Somewhere along the line you tee'd up a ball and kicked it just to see how you could do. Did you tee it up with the nose of the ball pointing in the direction you were kicking? You know what i am saying.
Thanks! On 4th downs I used to move inside from G to LS all the way until my senior year. We had 2 really good kickers. 1 guy got brought up to varsity in 10th grade and the other beat him out as junior. I did the Long Snapping all throughout youth football too - but it wasn't like I was anything special at it. I did try 1 place kick at a summer football camp with the tip pointing straight up and it was a train-wreck. That reminded me why I needed to stay in my lane. The reason football was a fun experience overall was because passion and hard work (year-round) got rewarded.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login