Patriots first workforce to take kicker and punter in NFL Draft in 23 years

For some other workforce, this could’ve been surprising.

That Invoice Belichick and the Patriots did this appears unsurprising.

The Patriots took each a kicker and a punter through the 2023 NFL Draft, changing into the primary workforce to take action because the Raiders in 2000, after they chosen kicker Sebastian Janikowski within the first spherical (No. 17 general) and punter Shane Lechler within the fifth spherical.

This 12 months, New England traded with the Jets to maneuver as much as No. 112 within the fourth spherical, the place they chose Maryland kicker Chad Ryland, and at No. 192 within the sixth spherical, they chose Michigan State punter Bryce Baringer.

Veteran Nick Folks made 32 of 37 field-goal makes an attempt for the Patriots final season, together with 32 of 35 extra-point makes an attempt, however he’s 38 years outdated and had simply three touchbacks on kickoffs in 2022.

Punter Jake Bailey had a web common of 35.3 yards in 9 video games, and Michael Palardy had a web common of 36.4 yards in eight video games.

Ryland was not the primary kicker taken within the 2023 NFL Draft, because the 49ers picked Michigan’s Jake Moody within the third spherical at No. 99 general.

The Packers later took Auburn kicker Anders Carlson within the sixth spherical at No. 207 general, and the Bengals selected Michigan punter Brad Robbins 10 picks later.

Wingate punter Ethan Evans was the ultimate specialist taken this 12 months, with the Rams choosing him within the seventh spherical at No. 223 general.