We have one more position group to rank for the season seventeen draft class, and we saved the best for last: special teams. Kickers and punters are the backbone of the franchise, whether we believe it or not, so without further ado, let's take a close look at the legs in this draft class, starting at the rear (yes, that's meant to be funny).
Note: I'm going to be adding a special touch to this article, by trying to project which position each of these players will ultimately land at. Obviously, take that with a grain of salt, and more importantly, check with the players to see what they're looking to do.
4. Michael Locatelli, P, University of Oregon: Somebody had to be last, and as interesting a prospect as he is, the 6'2", 215 lb Locatelli, a former Duck, is that prospect. Locatelli is the most accurate kicker of the group, which immediately screams of a player looking to place kick; however, the Albany, OR is also the one player in this class who can be trusted to throw the ball, which makes him the perfect target for a team looking for a trick play punter. Of course, Locatelli's kick power is unimpressive when considering him alongside his peers, so while he may have the accuracy to pin opponents deep in their own territory, he'll have to work on his leg strength if he wants to do so consistently. I like Locatelli, and I think he, like all the members of this class, has real potential to do well in this league, but he needs to get kicking.
3. Kicky Bobby, K, Alabama State University: At 6'2", 230, Bobby is a big kicker, and the former Hornet plays into his size. The native of Juneau, AK figures to be one of the few place kickers who doesn't stand idly by while the return man takes the ball to the house; he wants to be involved in every play he's on the field, from the snap to the whistle. While he's not the most accurate kicker available, Bobby does have some of the best leg strength in this class, so he can hit from a distance when he's having an on day. Of course, not every day is an on day for Bobby, so he'll need to put some work in to prove he can hit kicks consistently before he can really get going in the NSFL.
2. Joshua Jones II, P, University of Virginia: At 5'10", 176, Jones, a former Cavalier, is the smallest of this group of prospects, which is perhaps the biggest point of concern for the projected punter. However, if Jones can move the ball from his hands to his foot quickly, he can kick the ball a mile, ranking best in the class in terms of leg strength. The Louisa, VA native has some struggles with accuracy, so touchbacks could be a problem for teams who find themselves struggles to move the ball once they hit midfield; however, for teams that regularly find themselves struggling to escape their own territory, Jones is a promising prospect, and should be one of the first of this group off the board.
1. Landebert Strauss, K, Hillsdale College: 6'1", 196 lb Strauss, a former Charger, has the best kicking accuracy in this draft class, and the Hillsdale, MI native has leg strength to match. At twenty-nine, Strauss is easily the oldest player in this draft class, but since when has age stopped a kicker from performing at a high level (hint: never). Strauss also has surprising speed and agility, so to say he (or really any of his fellow special teamers) isn't an athlete is illogical. However, he looks most likely to contribute to a team in need of somebody who can hit threes with reasonable consistency, from reasonable range. Strauss is the gem of this position group: GMs, you've been warned.
Note: I'm going to be adding a special touch to this article, by trying to project which position each of these players will ultimately land at. Obviously, take that with a grain of salt, and more importantly, check with the players to see what they're looking to do.
4. Michael Locatelli, P, University of Oregon: Somebody had to be last, and as interesting a prospect as he is, the 6'2", 215 lb Locatelli, a former Duck, is that prospect. Locatelli is the most accurate kicker of the group, which immediately screams of a player looking to place kick; however, the Albany, OR is also the one player in this class who can be trusted to throw the ball, which makes him the perfect target for a team looking for a trick play punter. Of course, Locatelli's kick power is unimpressive when considering him alongside his peers, so while he may have the accuracy to pin opponents deep in their own territory, he'll have to work on his leg strength if he wants to do so consistently. I like Locatelli, and I think he, like all the members of this class, has real potential to do well in this league, but he needs to get kicking.
3. Kicky Bobby, K, Alabama State University: At 6'2", 230, Bobby is a big kicker, and the former Hornet plays into his size. The native of Juneau, AK figures to be one of the few place kickers who doesn't stand idly by while the return man takes the ball to the house; he wants to be involved in every play he's on the field, from the snap to the whistle. While he's not the most accurate kicker available, Bobby does have some of the best leg strength in this class, so he can hit from a distance when he's having an on day. Of course, not every day is an on day for Bobby, so he'll need to put some work in to prove he can hit kicks consistently before he can really get going in the NSFL.
2. Joshua Jones II, P, University of Virginia: At 5'10", 176, Jones, a former Cavalier, is the smallest of this group of prospects, which is perhaps the biggest point of concern for the projected punter. However, if Jones can move the ball from his hands to his foot quickly, he can kick the ball a mile, ranking best in the class in terms of leg strength. The Louisa, VA native has some struggles with accuracy, so touchbacks could be a problem for teams who find themselves struggles to move the ball once they hit midfield; however, for teams that regularly find themselves struggling to escape their own territory, Jones is a promising prospect, and should be one of the first of this group off the board.
1. Landebert Strauss, K, Hillsdale College: 6'1", 196 lb Strauss, a former Charger, has the best kicking accuracy in this draft class, and the Hillsdale, MI native has leg strength to match. At twenty-nine, Strauss is easily the oldest player in this draft class, but since when has age stopped a kicker from performing at a high level (hint: never). Strauss also has surprising speed and agility, so to say he (or really any of his fellow special teamers) isn't an athlete is illogical. However, he looks most likely to contribute to a team in need of somebody who can hit threes with reasonable consistency, from reasonable range. Strauss is the gem of this position group: GMs, you've been warned.