The Publish ranks the highest 15 specialists in 2022 NFL Draft
The Publish’s Ryan Dunleavy provides his prime 15 specialists on this 12 months’s NFL draft, based mostly on evaluations and conversations with individuals across the league:
Kickers
Cade York, LSU, 6-1, 198 kilos
Holds LSU information for 50-plus yard subject objectives in a sport (two), season (six) and profession (10). Made a 57-yarder within the closing minute to beat Florida in 2020. Transformed 54 of 66 profession subject objectives. Not answerable for kickoffs.
Cameron Dicker, Texas, 6-1, 216 kilos
May a group save a roster spot by utilizing Dicker as kicker and punter? Made 60 of 79 subject objectives over 4 years and averaged 46.8 yards per punt as a double-duty senior. Greater than 200 profession touchbacks on kickoffs.
3. Nick Sciba, Wake Forest, 5-9, 194 kilos
Mannequin of consistency holds two vital NCAA information: finest profession field-goal accuracy (89.9 %, 80-for-89) and most consecutive conversions (34). By no means made a 50-yard subject objective however by no means missed a PAT (193-for-193).
4. Gabe Brkic, Oklahoma, 6-3, 201 kilos
Drilled 5 50-yarders final season, together with FBS-record-tying three in a single sport. First walk-off subject objective in Oklahoma historical past. Made 57 of 69 profession subject objectives and 159 of 160 PATs. Must generate extra energy on kickoffs.
5. Jonathan Garibay, Texas Tech, 5-11, 217 kilos
Spent two years at junior school and didn’t win Texas Tech’s job till late in 2020. Went 14-for-14 inside 50 yards and added a pressurized game-tying 62-yarder (third-longest in NCAA since 1988) in 2021. Solely kicked off as soon as.
Punters
1. Matt Araiza, San Diego State, 6-2, 200 kilos
Three years as kicker surpassed by one 12 months as punter, when he boomed 18 punts of 60-plus yards, together with two over 80. Former soccer participant. Elite field-flipper however wants work on finer factors, like hold time and protection angles.
2. Jordan Stout, Penn State, 6-3, 209 kilos
Brief-field weapon who dropped 34 of 62 punts final season contained in the 20-yard line. Not only a poocher, as career-long 76-yard confirmed. Dealt with subject objectives and kickoffs, too. Even accomplished an 18-yard cross on a pretend.
3. Jake Camrada, Georgia, 6-2, 180 kilos
Former SEC Particular Groups Participant of the 12 months averaged school-record 45.7 yards per punt. Understands ball placement. Greater than 70 % of kickoffs have been touchbacks final season. Impressed with leg power at Senior Bowl.
4. Blake Hayes, Illinois, 6-6, 225 kilos
Australian-born five-year letter-winner who punted 68 instances final season — 16 of a minimum of 50 yards and 34 contained in the 20-yard line with simply two touchbacks. Had three profession blocked punts. Coffin-corner directional grasp.
5. Ryan Stonehouse, Colorado State, 5-9, 193 kilos
Second-generation punter whose father and two uncles all punted in Pac-12. No. 1 punting recruit in 2017. First punter named First-Staff All-Mountain West thrice (2018-20). Averaged 47.8 yards over profession.
Returners
Marcus Jones, Houston, CB, 5-8, 185 kilos
Seemingly mid-round decide with dynamic ball expertise. Tied NCAA file with 9 profession kick returns for touchdowns. Additionally scored touchdowns off interceptions and as a receiver. Averaged 14.4 yards per punt return in 2021.
2. Velus Jones Jr., Tennessee, WR, 5-11, 204 kilos
Solely FBS participant with 700 receiving yards, 500 kickoff return yards and 200 punt return yards as 2021 SEC Particular Groups Participant of the 12 months. Ran a 4.31-second 40-yard sprint. About to show 25 years outdated.
3. Calvin Austin, Memphis, WR, 5-7, 170 kilos
Diminutive former monitor star who ranked top-three amongst receivers at NFL mix in 40-yard sprint (4.32 seconds), vertical leap (39 inches), broad bounce, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. Averaged 11.1 yards per punt return with two scores in 2021.
4. Jerrion Ealy, Mississippi, RB, 5-8, 189 kilos
Two-sport athlete was drafted by MLB’s Diamondbacks. Averaged 25.4 yards per kickoff return with two touchdowns in profession. Averaged 5.8 yards per carry and eight.1 yards per reception by selecting up chunk performs.
5. Britain Covey, Utah, WR, 5-8, 169 kilos
5 profession kick-return touchdowns (4 on punts), together with three in 2021. Simply turned 25, after two-year spiritual mission and medical redshirt since arriving in 2015. Scouts rave about his imaginative and prescient and explosion by means of small creases.
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