Earliest you'd get a punter?

[Direckshun]

Several things are worth consideration.

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.

[raybec 4]

Tommy Townsend was not insanely good the last couple of years. He was pretty much league average last season.

[staylor26]

JFC

[The Franchise]

Why is this the 2nd time that a punter is being brought up this offseason?

We're not spending a draft pick on a ****ing punter.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by The Franchise

Why is this the 2nd time that a punter is being brought up this offseason?

We're not spending a draft pick on a ****ing punter.

I wouldn't be so sure.

This team is pretty damn complete. There aren't a lot of areas on offense and defense that require a lot of draft capital.

Combine that with Toub having as much influence on roster construction as any ST coach in the league, and hey.

[raybec 4]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I wouldn't be so sure.

This team is pretty damn complete. There aren't a lot of areas on offense and defense that require a lot of draft capital.

Combine that with Toub having as much influence on roster construction as any ST coach in the league, and hey.

OT, IOL, WR, RB and TE of the future......those all require draft capital.

[Direckshun]

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.

[raybec 4]

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.

[Dunerdr]

We have the best punting prospect probably in history on the team already.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by Dunerdr

We have the best punting prospect probably in history on the team already.

But he tried out for the Jets, and they didn't sign him, so clearly he sucks now!

[ToxSocks]

UDFA

[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.

[Dante84]

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.

[Direckshun]

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.

[kccrow]

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.