Tampa Bay didn’t just draft a kicker in the second round. They traded up to draft a kicker in the second round.
On the second day of the 2016 NFL draft, the Buccaneers gave away two picks to take Roberto Aguayo out of Florida State at No. 59 overall, making him the highest-drafted kicker in over a decade. This was not a good decision.
Aguayo, who left the Seminoles as the most accurate kicker in NCAA history, proceeded to miss his first preseason PAT. He then missed two of his first three field goal attempts in the regular season, as well as another two in Week 5 before his 38-yard game-winner against the Panthers as time expired. By the end of the year, he had made just 71 percent of his field goal tries, the worst mark in the league for anyone with more than two attempts.
“Read the stats,” Bucs general manager Jason Licht told the Tampa Bay Times last month. “He wasn’t very good last year.”
Aguayo will now compete with veteran Nick Folk for the starting job in 2017, and the team is ready to cut ties with whoever loses out. The lesson? Don’t reach in the draft for pure specialists.
Six punters and kickers were selected as Pro Bowl starters or alternates last season, including Rams punter Johnny Hekker. Of those, only one – Kansas City punter Dustin Colquitt – was chosen within the first 200 picks of his respective draft. Four weren’t selected at all, signing instead with their teams as free agents.
This isn’t to say that special teams contributors are never worth drafting. Last season, receiver Tyreek Hill dropped to the fifth round, his stock depressed by his history of domestic violence. To be specific, he pleaded guilty to domestic abuse by strangulation, having choked his girlfriend who was two months pregnant with their child. He apologized, but that cloud continues to make some fans uncomfortable rooting for him – even as he became a unanimous All-Pro punt returner as a rookie.
This year’s special teams prospects aren’t as morally vexing.
There is Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers, who played out of position last season at linebacker, worked out at both linebacker and safety at the NFL combine, and could potentially transition to offense in the NFL. Oh, and he ranked fifth in the country with 14.8 yards per punt return.
There is USC’s Adoree’ Jackson, who wasn’t named a Heisman finalist despite returning kickoffs and punts for four touchdowns. Factor in five interceptions and spot duty as a receiver, and that added up to 1,273 all-purpose yards.
Both will likely be gone by the end of the second round, because both will almost certainly add value beyond special teams.
The kickers and punters? They can probably step away from the phone until Saturday.
JABRILL PEPPERS, MICHIGAN
At 5-foot-11, 213 pounds, Peppers is likely too small to be a linebacker. But he managed only one interception in college, so teams wonder about his potential as a safety – especially with his dearth of college film at that position. He also rushed for five touchdowns in two seasons at Michigan, and there’s a chance he could see offensive snaps in the NFL.
But regardless of his eventual position, Peppers is capable of stepping in and instantly upgrading someone’s return game.
“He has been a superstar his whole life,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn told reporters last month. “I don’t think it is going to stop because of the National Football League.”
ADOREE’ JACKSON, USC
Jackson still needs to develop as a defensive back, though it’s hard to fault his play-making prowess. In a blowout win over Notre Dame last November, the 5-foot-10 corner scored three times in three different ways: a 97-yard kickoff return, a 55-yard punt return and a 52-yard catch and run. That highlight-reel ability should show through immediately on special teams.
ZANE GONZALEZ, ARIZONA STATE
Gonzalez closed his ASU career in style, winning the Lou Groza Award as college football’s top kicker, becoming the third All-American in school history, and making more career field goals (96) than any FBS player before him. He was also reliable from long range, making 13 of 15 of his attempts from at least 40 yards out.
AUSTIN REHKOW, IDAHO
Rehkow handled punts, field goals and kickoffs for the Vandals, though he’ll likely make his money fighting for field position. A former Ray Guy Award finalist, he landed 26 of 56 punts inside the 20-yard line last season with just three touchbacks.
This is the last of a 10-part series previewing every position group before the 2017 NFL draft. The series previously covered quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, interior defensive linemen, edge rushers, inside linebackers and defensive backs.