NFL Draft 2023: Patriots Become The First Team To Draft Both A Kicker & Punter Since 2000

The New England Patriots were one of the few NFL teams to choose both a kicker and a punter in the same round this year, which is unusual.

NFL Draft 2023: Patriots Become The First Teams To Draft Both A Kicker & Punter Since 2000

The Patriot’s special teams binge began in the fourth round when they made the decision to choose Chad Ryland. The Patriots completed a deal with the Jets to get the Maryland kicker, which allowed them to climb eight spots to the 112th overall pick. The Patriots had to give New York the 120th and 184th overall picks in exchange for that pick.

Bryce Baringer of Michigan State was selected by the Patriots with the 192nd overall pick in the second round of the draft.

By selecting punter Shane Lechler in the fifth round and kicker Sebastian Janikowski in the first round in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Patriots became the first club since the Raiders in 2000 to choose both a kicker and a punter.

It’s uncommon to choose a kicker and a punter at the same time in the draft, but the Patriots had good reason to. Last year, their punting problem was a complete mess. Jake Bailey served as the punter to begin the season, but after being hurt, Michael Palardy took over. Both of them had difficulties, which contributed significantly to New England finishing the campaign with one of the worst punting units in the NFL.

The team had used Bailey as their punter since 2019, but in March, they parted ways with him, clearing the way for Baringer to be selected on Saturday. The punter from Michigan State was thought by many to be the best in this year’s draft and was a nominee for the Ray Guy award in 2022.

As Schefter tweeted, “Patriots drafted Michigan St punter Bryce Baringer in round six and Maryland kicker Chad Ryland in round four, becoming the first team since the 2000 Raiders – who selected kicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler – to pick a kicker and punter in the same draft.”

 

 

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