I Cowboys si stanno preparando per il 2023Progetto NFL, con un elenco piuttosto lungo di potenziali clienti a cui sono stati legati. Ma un'area che è passata sotto il radar sono le squadre speciali. Non è una sorpresa, dato che i giocatori delle squadre speciali raramente vengono arruolati e di solito non molto alti quando vengono selezionati.
Ma è un'area di interesse per i Cowboys, soprattutto perché al momento sono senza due dei tre titolari dello scorso anno. Il kicker Brett Maher rimane senza contratto mentre il long snapper Jake McQuaide - che si è strappato il tricipite nella settimana 4 e ha saltato il resto dell'anno - ha firmato con i Lions. Matt Overton, il veterano che ha sostituito McQuaide, è anche un free agent al momento.
Rimane solo Bryan Anger, ma il contratto del 36enne consente un taglio post-1 giugno che farebbe risparmiare $ 2,2 milioni, quindi anche lui potrebbe non essere completamente al sicuro. Sebbene Dallas abbia ingaggiato il kicker Tristan Vizcaino e il long snapper Trent Sieg, potrebbero ancora esaminare le opzioni nella classe di draft di quest'anno, se spendere una scelta al draft o (più simile) firmare come free agent non iscritto. Detto questo, ecco i nomi migliori da conoscere.
Michigan K. Jake Moody
Jake Moody è considerato il miglior kicker in questo draft, e per una buona ragione. Il nativo del Michigan è rimasto a casa per il college e ha messo insieme cinque anni impressionanti per i Wolverines, che si sono conclusi con lui che ha stabilito record di programma per la maggior parte dei punti sia in una singola stagione che in una carriera.
Moody è stato particolarmente spento nel 2021, raggiungendo il 92% dei suoi field goal, ed è stato premiato con il trofeo Lou Groza per i suoi sforzi. Moody è tornato un po' con i piedi per terra quest'anno, ma è rimasto connesso in 29 dei suoi 35 tentativi di field goal. Inoltre non ha mai perso un punto in più in cinque anni. Moody è una scommessa sicura da draftare ad un certo punto il terzo giorno.
Maryland K Ciad Ryland
Un altro nativo del Michigan fa questa lista in Chad Ryland. Inizialmente si è impegnato nel Michigan orientale, dove Ryland si è affermato come uno dei migliori kicker del Gruppo dei Cinque. Negli ultimi due anni al Michigan orientale, Ryland ha perforato quasi l'86% dei suoi field goal e il suo unico punto extra mancato è stato bloccato.
Ryland si è poi trasferito nel Maryland per il suo ultimo anno di idoneità ed è rimasto coerente, realizzando 19 dei suoi 23 field goal e perdendo solo un punto in più. Tutti gli errori di Ryland provenivano da oltre 40 yard, anche se ha effettuato diversi calci anche da oltre 50. Ryland sarà nella conversazione per essere il secondo kicker arruolato, poiché pullula di potenziale.
Stato NCK Christopher Dunn
Christopher Dunn ha avuto una carriera altalenante, giocando cinque anni con il Wolfpack di NC State. Nelle sue prime due stagioni, l'eroe della città natale ha perforato l'88% dei suoi field goal. Di conseguenza, Dunn è stato nominato nella seconda squadra dell'All-ACC e si è saldamente affermato come uno dei migliori kicker della nazione.
Poi ha colpito l'incoerenza. Dunn ha avuto una stagione 2020 irregolare e in seguito è stato rivelato che a un certo punto si è infortunato. L'infortunio lo ha tenuto fuori dalle esercitazioni primaverili della bassa stagione successiva e sembrava avere ancora un impatto su di lui durante la stagione 2021. In quei due anni, Dunn ha segnato poco meno del 70% dei suoi field goal, ben lontano dal suo inizio a caldo.
Dunn ha salvato il suo meglio per ultimo, però, e ha realizzato una stagione incredibile che lo ha visto raggiungere 28 dei suoi 29 field goal. Questo è stato sufficiente per guadagnare a Dunn il trofeo Lou Groza e concludere un ritorno al dominio per lui. Come Moody, anche Dunn non ha mai perso un PAT. I suoi massimi fanno sembrare Dunn la seconda venuta di Justin Tucker, ma ha anche due stagioni di pessimo calcio. Sarà interessante vedere come le squadre valutano Dunn, ma non sarebbe uno shock se fosse il primo kicker scelto al posto di Moody.
Stato del MichiganP Bryce Baringer
C'è poco dibattito su chi sia il miglior scommettitore in questa bozza. Bryce Baringer è scappato con la distinzione molto tempo fa. Il nativo del Michigan che porta gli occhiali in campo e indossa il numero 99 sulla sua maglia si è trasferito dopo solo un anno all'Illinois. Fu costretto ad entrare in azione il suo primo anno con gli Spartans a causa di infortuni davanti a lui, e Baringer non sembrava pronto in quel momento.
È rimasto fuori per tutto il 2019, ma è tornato nel 2020 con un aspetto molto migliore. L'anno successivo, Baringer è stato nominato nella seconda squadra di All-Big Ten ed è entrato lo scorso anno come potenziale miglior scommettitore. Baringer ha risposto stabilendo i record del programma per la media della carriera e della media di una sola stagione in yard per punt, guadagnandosi una manciata di riconoscimenti, superati dall'essere un consenso All-American. Sarebbe uno shock se Baringer non fosse il primo scommettitore arruolato.
RutgersP. Adam Korsak
Se dovessi scegliere uno scommettitore in questa bozza per dare la priorità a Baringer, Adam Korsak sarebbe il ragazzo. Dopotutto, Korsak ha battuto Baringer per il trofeo Ray Guy di quest'anno nonostante Baringer si sia assicurato ogni altro onore mentre giocava nella stessa conferenza.
I cinque anni di carriera di Korsak con gli Scarlet Knights lo hanno visto diventare uno scommettitore di precisione con un'accuratezza eccellente. L'unico anno in cui Korsak non ha puntato più di 70 volte in una stagione è stato il 2020 accorciato dal COVID; eppure, Korsak ha abbattuto un enorme 44% dei suoi punt all'interno della linea delle 20 yard dell'avversario. È eccezionale nel ribaltare la posizione in campo, anche se a Korsak manca la pura potenza di Baringer.
Michigan P. Brad Robbins
È stato un grande anno per le squadre speciali nei Big Ten, e il fatto che Brad Robbins sia il terzo miglior scommettitore non è un'accusa alla sua abilità. Robbins non era appariscente come Baringer o Korsak, ma è stato un modello di coerenza durante le sue sei stagioni al Michigan.
Robbins ha saltato l'intera stagione 2018 e la maggior parte del 2019 a causa di un infortunio, che gli ha permesso di durare fino al 2022 in termini di idoneità. Robbins è finito come il secondo miglior scommettitore nella storia del programma, statisticamente, ed è stato anche una parte fondamentale dell'operazione di calci del Michigan come detentore di tutti i field goal e dei punti extra di Moody. Robbins potrebbe non essere uno stallone, ma non terrà svegli gli allenatori la notte chiedendosi se possono fidarsi di lui.
UCF LS Alex Ward
Può essere difficile distinguersi come long snapper, ma Alex Ward ha fatto proprio questo in quattro stagioni come long snapper iniziale per i Knights. La sua prestazione nel 2021 gli è valsa un riconoscimento All-American per la terza squadra, che ha trasformato in un onore All-American per la seconda squadra lo scorso anno. Ward è stato anche finalista per il trofeo Patrick Mannelly, assegnato ogni anno al miglior long snapper, ciascuno degli ultimi due anni.
Liberty LS Austin Mock
Austin Mock si è impegnato a Liberty come giocatore legacy, suo padre aveva giocato lungo la linea offensiva negli anni '90. Mock arrivò e si guadagnò subito il lavoro da long snapper iniziale, tenendolo fermo per i successivi cinque anni. Liberty è stato un FBS indipendente per ognuno di quegli anni, il che ha impedito a Mock di guadagnare qualsiasi onorificenza in conferenza, ma il suo gioco è stato sufficiente per portarlo come semifinalista per il trofeo Patrick Mannelly negli ultimi due anni. Mock era una parte fondamentale di un gruppo di squadre speciali molto consistente al Liberty, e dovrebbe avere un futuro nella NFL in qualche modo.
FAQs
Did the Cowboys draft a kicker? ›
By Jerry Trotta | Apr 30, 2023
The order was wildly unpredictable, but the Dallas Cowboys addressed most of their needs in the 2023 NFL Draft. Perhaps the biggest surprises were that they didn't draft a quarterback, focused heavily on the defense and didn't come away with a kicker.
The Cowboys had seven total selections in the 2023 NFL Draft. Through the compensatory pick process, the Cowboys were originally awarded two additional selections in the fifth round and one selection in the sixth round.
Who did the Cowboys pick in the first draft? ›The Dallas Cowboys selected Mazi Smith with the 26th pick in the first round in the 2023 NFL draft in Kansas City on Friday. Background: The 6-foot-3, 323-pound redshirt junior, Smith was first-team all-Big Ten at Michigan in 2022. He made 14 starts with 48 tackles, 2.5 for losses.
Who did the Cowboys get in the second round of the draft? ›The Dallas Cowboys selected Luke Schoonmaker with the 58th pick in the second round in the 2023 NFL draft in Kansas City on Friday.
Has any kicker ever been drafted in the first round? ›However, plenty of kickers have been drafted, and even a handful have been taken in the first round. The most recent one was when the Raiders drafted Sebastian Janikowski at No. 17 overall in the 2000 NFL Draft.
Has a kicker ever been drafted in round 1? ›One of only three NFL placekickers to be selected in the first round of an NFL draft, Janikowski is the Raiders' all-time leading scorer and appeared in more games with the franchise than any other player.
Who did the Cowboys release 2023? ›Released DE Takk McKinley. Signed DE Ben Banogu. Released WR Antonio Callaway.
Who did Dallas Cowboys draft today? ›Dallas Cowboys select DT Mazi Smith with 2023 1st round pick
On Friday, they took Smith's college teammate, tight end Luke Schoonmaker, with the 58th overall pick in the second round. There was a special moment Saturday when they took Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn.
Cowboys handed a C in NFL.com 2023 NFL draft grades.
Who has the most draft picks in 2023? ›Alabama and Georgia tied with 10 picks each in the 2023 NFL Draft, leading all other schools. Here's what you need to know: Michigan was next in line with nine picks and TCU was third with eight.
What pick do the Cowboys have in the 3rd round? ›
Jerry Jones and the rest of the Cowboys front office opted to close up shop Friday with another defender, selecting Texas Longhorns linebacker DeMarvion Overshown with their third-round choice, the 90th overall pick.
Who did Dallas pick in round 1? ›With the 26th overall pick, the Cowboys selected Michigan run stopper Mazi Smith, the first defensive tackle Dallas has taken in the first round since Russell Maryland went No.
Has a team ever had the first and second pick in a draft? ›Indianapolis Colts, 1992
That pick landed at No. 2 overall, meaning the Colts -- after a 1-15 season in 1991 -- became the only team in the common draft era to hold the Nos. 1 and 2 picks.
By Jerry Trotta | Apr 28, 2023
The Dallas Cowboys selected Mazi Smith with the No. 26 pick of the NFL Draft.
The 1992 Colts are the only team among the four major American professional sports leagues to ever have the first two picks in the same draft.
Who was the highest drafted kicker ever? ›MORE: NFL Draft winners and losers from Day 2
Charlie Gogolak, the highest kicker ever drafted, was in the league for six years and made only 55.9 percent of his kicks.
George Blanda is the oldest player to play in NFL history. Blanda was a quarterback and placekicker who played in the NFL for 26 seasons. He retired in 1975 at the age of 48.
Who has the longest field goal in NFL history? ›The Broncos kicker slugged a 64-yard field goal in December of 2013 against the Titans. It didn't finish the game off but it did send Denver to the halftime tunnel extremely pumped up. Justin Tucker is responsible for the longest field goal in NFL history.
Is it rare for kickers to get drafted? ›It's not that unusual to have a kicker drafted but it's usually on day three. Some of those picks, like Evan McPherson to the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2021 draft, work out well. But taking one in the third round is rare.
Has there ever been a perfect kicker in the NFL? ›However, the perfect season for a kicker has only been done three times: Gary Anderson in 1998 (35 of 35 with the Vikings), Jeff Wilkins in 2000 (17 of 17 with the Rams) and Mike Vanderjagt in 2003 (37 of 37 with the Colts).
Who was the last straight on kicker in the NFL? ›
Washington Redskins kicker Mark Moseley was the NFL's last straight-ahead kicker.
What did Jerry Jones say about Ezekiel Elliott? ›Jerry Jones admits it was a mistake to select Ezekiel Elliott 4th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft: 'Too high for us'
What Cowboys got cut? ›The Cowboys cleared some space on their roster for rookie additions on Monday. The NFL's daily transaction report brings word that the team has waived tight end Ian Bunting and defensive back Isaac Taylor-Stuart with failed physical designations. They also released linebacker Devante Bond.
Who is replacing Ezekiel Elliott? ›FRISCO, Texas -- A week after releasing Ezekiel Elliott, the Dallas Cowboys have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent running back Ronald Jones, the team announced Tuesday.
What players did The Dallas Cowboys get in the 2023 draft? ›- Round 1 • Pick 26 (26) • DT Mazi Smith.
- Round 2 • Pick 27 (58) • TE Luke Schoonmaker.
- Round 3 • Pick 27 (90) • LB DeMarvion Overshown.
- Round 4 • Pick 27 (129) • DE Viliami Fehoko Jr.
- Round 5 • Pick 34 (169) • OT Asim Richards.
- Round 6 • Pick 1 (178) • CB Eric Scott Jr.
| Year | Name | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Desjuan Johnson | Rams |
| 2022 | Brock Purdy | 49ers |
| 2021 | Grant Stuard | Buccaneers |
| 2020 | Tae Crowder | Giants |
Signed (The Dallas Cowboys signed WR Tyron Johnson.) Signed (The Dallas Cowboys signed CB D'Angelo Mandell.) Signed (The Dallas Cowboys signed WR Jalen Moreno-Cropper.) Signed (The Dallas Cowboys signed CB Myles Brooks.)
How did the Cowboys draft go? ›The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2023 NFL Draft with seven picks over the three-day draft. They ended up with eight after trading for another sixth-round pick. In the first round, the Cowboys selected Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith with pick No. 26.
Who has the 1st draft pick 2023? ›Moore. The Panthers selected Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the first pick and the Los Angeles Rams selected Desjuan Johnson with the final pick. Also, for the second year in a row, the Miami Dolphins held the fewest picks in the draft with 4.
Who did the Eagles draft in 2023? ›- DT Jalen Carter. The Eagles were aggressive from the start during the NFL Draft. ...
- LB Nolan Smith. ...
- OL Tyler Steen. ...
- S Sydney Brown. ...
- CB Kelee Ringo. ...
- QB Tanner McKee. ...
- DT Moro Ojomo.
Why are there only 31 first round picks? ›
There are 31 picks in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft because the Miami Dolphins were stripped of their top selection for violations of league policies relating to the integrity of the game.
What university has the most NFL Draft picks? ›Georgia holds the record for most NFL draft selections by a college in a single year since the NFL draft became seven rounds in 1994, setting the mark at 15 players in 2022. 2004 Miami tied 2021 Alabama for the record for most first-round picks at six.
What college has the most NFL players in the last 10 years? ›NFL Draft picks: 375
LSU has produced 17 first-round draft picks in the last decade alone, five of which came off its 2019 national championship team. LSU placed second overall with 10 selections in 2022, behind only Georgia.
The Dallas Cowboys have the 26th pick in the NFL Draft when Round 1 begins on April 27 in Kansas City.
Do the Cowboys run a 4 3? ›In 2020, the Dallas Cowboys switched to a base 3–4 defense. This was reverted in 2021 after their 2020 defense allowed a franchise-record 473 points. With the hiring of Robert Saleh as head coach, the New York Jets will switch to a 4–3 defense in 2021, but will have a few 3–4 looks.
How many compensatory picks do the Cowboys have? ›Share All sharing options for: Cowboys draft: The value of the 3 compensatory picks versus the free agents lost in 2022. The Dallas Cowboys were recently awarded three more picks in the 2023 NFL Draft thanks to the compensatory pick system.
Does Dallas have a 7th round pick? ›What to know about Jalen Brooks, the Dallas' Cowboys seventh-round draft pick. The Dallas Cowboys selected wide receiver Jalen Brooks with the 27th pick in the seventh round in the 2023 NFL draft in Kansas City on Sunday.
Will Stetson Bennett get drafted? ›The Los Angeles Rams select Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett with the 128th overall pick in Round 4 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
What was the longest NFL draft ever? ›This was the first draft presided over by new NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The first round was the longest in the history of the NFL draft, lasting six hours, eight minutes. One of the big stories of the draft was the fall of Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn.
Who has the longest streak of first round draft picks? ›Alabama also had at least one first-round pick for the 15th straight season, which is the longest streak for any school in draft history.
Has a team ever had 3 first round picks? ›
Carolina Panthers | 1995
Carolina made three first-round picks in 1995.
The Cowboys had seven total selections in the 2023 NFL Draft. Through the compensatory pick process, the Cowboys were originally awarded two additional selections in the fifth round and one selection in the sixth round.
How many picks do the Cowboys have in Round 2? ›26. Round 2, Pick 58: The Cowboys will have the 27th overall pick in the second round of the NFL Draft. Round 3, Pick 90: The Cowboys will have the 27th overall pick in the third round of the NFL Draft.
Did the Cowboys pick up any players? ›Dallas Cowboys 2023 NFL Draft Picks
Here is the complete list of players selected by the Cowboys in the 2023 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 26 - Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan. Round 2, Pick 58 - Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan. Round 3, Pick 90 - DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas.
Fryar went No. 1, becoming the first wide receiver ever to be taken in that spot. Fryar was a member of the Patriots when the team advanced to Super Bowl XX, and was a five-time Pro Bowl pick (four of those five came with teams other than the Patriots).
Has there ever been a draft without a QB in the first round? ›In 1996, no quarterback was selected in the first round of the NFL draft. It was only the fifth time it has happened since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger and it has not happened since. "I don't see that happening again -- ever," Broncos general manager George Paton said.
What NFL team has never had the 1st pick? ›Which NFL Teams Have Never Had the First Pick? Only three teams have never held the first pick in the draft: the Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, and Seattle Seahawks.
Who did the Cowboys pick up as a kicker? ›Todd Archer is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Dallas Cowboys. Archer has covered the NFL since 1997 and Dallas since 2003.
When was the last time the Cowboys drafted a kicker? ›They drafted only two kickers in the Jerry Jones era — Nick Folk in 2007 and David Buehler in 2011 — neither delivering the goods (likely making Jones gun shy going forward) and the latter being beat out by and undrafted kicker by the name of … you guessed it… Dan Bailey.
Who did the Cowboys draft picks? ›- 1st round (26th overall): Mazi Smith (DT) ...
- 2nd round (58th overall): Luke Schoonmaker (TE) ...
- 3rd round (90th overall): DeMarvion Overshown (LB) ...
- 4th round (129th overall): Viliami Fehoko Jr.
Were any kickers selected in the NFL draft? ›
Moody's selection makes it two straight drafts in which a team chose a kicker one round higher than the previous draft. In 2021, the Bengals chose Florida kicker Evan McPherson in the fifth round, and the division-rival Browns selected LSU kicker Cade York in the fourth round of the 2022 draft.
Who is the best kicker in Dallas Cowboys history? ›Tristan Vizcaino looks on from the sideline during a game between the New England Patriots and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 24, 2022. The Dallas Cowboys signed Tristan Vizcaino to their practice squad after starting kicker Brett Maher endured a historically inaccurate playoff performance on Monday.
Can the Cowboys get a new kicker? ›Yes, the Cowboys (as well as any other team) are able to sign players in the postseason. If they so choose to do so, Dallas can work out kickers and sign any of them to the roster.
Who was the Cowboys old kicker? ›| Field goals made: | 249 |
|---|---|
| Field goals attempted: | 290 |
| Field goal %: | 85.9 |
| Longest field goal: | 56 |
| Touchbacks: | 450 |
The Dallas Cowboys select Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Mazi Smith in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft with the No. 26 overall pick.
Did any kickers get drafted in 2023? ›The 49ers pulled off the biggest surprise of the third round on Friday night when they decided to take Michigan kicker Jake Moody with the 99th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The move was a shocker because kickers are almost never drafted that high.
Can I become an NFL kicker? ›Training for this specialized role begins in childhood, with training camps for potential kickers to help them make it in college. But the jobs available funnel quickly, from roster spots on hundreds of college football programs across all divisions to only 32 jobs in the NFL — maybe 33 if a team decides to carry two.