1. Tommy Townsend was insanely good the last couple years.
2. Effective punting, especially with a defense as good as ours, is critical.
3. Matt Araiza was a top candidate at one point, but the Chiefs aren't even his first stop since his acquittal. He had a tryout with the Jets in 2023, and they didn't elect to sign him. So, he either got really good in the past year, or he's probably a replacement-level punter, and the Chiefs need a new one.
4. Forward to 20:00 of Brett Kollman's Q&A video:
That leads to my question:
There's a couple really good punters in this class -- would you invest a pick in one? Would you take your chances in UDFA? Or are you comfortable rolling into the season with a potentially replacement-level punter. [Reply]
Originally Posted by raybec 4:
OT, IOL, WR, RB and TE of the future......those all require draft capital.
You're not wrong, but I'd say our hole at punter is bigger than a couple of those, and the ability to fill the need matches to this moment easier than a couple of those, notably TE. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Direckshun:
You're not wrong, but I'd say our hole at punter is bigger than a couple of those, and the ability to fill the need matches to this moment easier than a couple of those, notably TE.
I'm still not sure what logic leads you to believe we even have a hole at punter. [Reply]
Drafting a Kicker is something maybe consider in the 5th onward. Drafting a Punter, on the other hand, is not something I'd ever consider. We don't need either though. [Reply]
Originally Posted by kccrow:
Drafting a Kicker is something maybe consider in the 5th onward. Drafting a Punter, on the other hand, is not something I'd ever consider. We don't need either though.
I know Butker is a FA and will command the same / similar contract to Justin Tucker.
"In 2022, the Ravens signed Tucker to a four-year, $24 million contract extension (with $17.5 million guaranteed)."
2 years down the line from that deal, I'll bet we're looking at a $28MM / $20MM guaranteed across 4 years for Butker.
- SB winning/tying kicks
- SB record setting kick
- AFCCG winning/tying kicks
- Multiple clutch regular season kicks
I think he's probably on track to be a HOF kicker, and I think we hang on to him at least through this next contract window. [Reply]
Originally Posted by kccrow:
Drafting a Kicker is something maybe consider in the 5th onward. Drafting a Punter, on the other hand, is not something I'd ever consider. We don't need either though.
Interesting. Do you think Colquitt was worth a 3rd? 15 or so years of elite punting.
I mean, I could legitimately see the team take a pick as early as the 4th if the value was right. But I'm just assuming two of the punters on the board are super good. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Direckshun:
Interesting. Do you think Colquitt was worth a 3rd? 15 or so years of elite punting.
I mean, I could legitimately see the team take a pick as early as the 4th if the value was right. But I'm just assuming two of the punters on the board are super good.
No, I don't.
There is not such an appreciable difference between NFL-caliber punters that it affects games in some meaningful way. The ability to pin a team inside the 20 4 more times a season than any other average guy doesn't mean much. The ability to average 1 more yard per punt doesn't move the needle. It's a fallacy. When I'm home, I'll see if I can find the data on it. [Reply]
