The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy lists the top five kickers, punters and returners in this year’s NFL Draft, based on evaluations and conversations with league officials.
kickers
1. Will Reichard, Alabama, 6-1, 187
NCAA career point leader (547), 84 field goals, 295 PATs.
Almost automatic from within 40 yards. He was named the 2023 SEC Special Teams Player of the Year by his coaches.
In 2022, he made a last-second pressure kick (33 yards) and missed (50 yards).
2. Cam Little, Arkansas, 6-1, 172
During his career, he made 82.8 percent of his field goals (53 of 64) and all PATs (129 of 129). Four of his seven career makes from 50 yards or more came last season. He brings out his high school roots and can punt in a pinch.
3. Joshua Carty, Stanford, 6-2, 207
He bounced back from a disappointing 2021 season and made 41 of 45 field goals over the past two seasons. He gained a career-long 61 yards in 2022 and went 7-for-7 between 40 and 49 yards in 2023. He has a strong kickoff leg. Senior Bowl showcase.
4. Harrison Mavis, Missouri, 6-0, 241
Built like a rugged linebacker. The first two seasons (88.9 percent) were more accurate than the last two seasons (79.3 percent). He gained an SEC-record 61 yards as time expired, upsetting Kansas State. In his career, he made 12 kicks from 50 yards or more.
5. Spencer Schrader, Notre Dame, 6-2, 201
He played professional soccer in Brazil and Canada before spending four years in South Florida. He had four players with at least 50 yards in a season at Notre Dame. He had four players with 40 or more yards in a game in 2020.
panter
1. Torrie Taylor, Iowa State, 6-4, 223
The field flipper was Iowa’s best offensive weapon in its scoring challenge. He averaged over 40 yards per punt in 43 career games, an NCAA record. Of his 295 career punts, 129 landed inside the 20-yard line and 103 traveled more than 50 yards for an average of 46.3 yards.
2. Ryan Lekow, BYU, 6-4, 235
My brother (Austin) was flying around NFL camps. His average distance last season was 48.4 yards. His leg momentum could outplay him in coverage (22 fair catches/68 punts for touchbacks). Needs to improve touch and direction of aim.
3. Matthew Hayball, Vanderbilt, 6-0, 189
The Australian was the school’s No. 2 punter last season, according to Pro Football Focus. He is the only active punter (in any division) in the NCAA with over 13,000 career yards. His career average is 45.2 (three seasons with Florida Atlantic). His career long is 71 yards.
4. Austin McNamara, Texas Tech, 6-4, 204
Career average of 45.9 yards. He never had fewer than 44.3 yards in five seasons with 41 or more attempts. He knows when to go long and when to take advantage of hang time. He can also be used as a holder. Multisport background.
5. Jack Browning, San Diego State, 5-11, 190
He handled punt, place kick, and kickoff duties for two years. He was 4 of 6 from 50 yards or more, including a 61-yarder. You need to leverage precision. He is the only player in the country to be on the 2023 Lou Groza (Best Kicker) and Ray Guy (Best Punter) Award watch lists.
returner
1. WR Lydeatrick Griffin, Mississippi State, 5-10, 181
He will become a draft-eligible player as the biggest winner of the NFL kickoff rule change. He averaged 30.4 career yards per kickoff return (second in SEC history) and two touchdowns. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds. Step on the accelerator.
2. WR Xavier Worthy, Texas, 5-11, 165
His FBS-best 371 punt return yards last season pushed his draft stock to the border between the first and second rounds. In his career, he averaged 13.8 yards per punt return and one touchdown. At the NFL Combine, he ran a 40-yard dash in 4.21 seconds.
3. WR Ainias Smith, Texas A&M, 5-9, 190
He averaged 18 yards per kickoff return and 10.2 yards per punt return during his five-year career. Change gears quickly. Change direction will also be faster. Gadget receiver/rush player on offense. Six career muffled punts is concerning.
4. RB Will Shipley, Clemson, 5-11, 206
He’s a mid-round prospect whose additional tools could give him an edge over others. His vision is behind his career 26.6 yards per kickoff return. Move in and out of cuts and make the most of small wrinkles.
5. WR Anthony Gould, Oregon State, 5-8, 174
He averaged 18.6 yards per punt return and two touchdowns, making him the 2022 All-American returner. In 2023, his opportunities to play decreased due to his reputation, but he still recorded three all-purpose plays of 50 yards or more. Jump out of the crowd like a rocket.
