Drew Kaser Scouting Report, P, Texas A&M. 2016 NFL Draft

Introduction

Hometown: Strongsville, Ohio
High School: Walsh Jesuit
Recruitment: 3-Star Recruit by ESPN, 2-Star recruit by Rivals
Injuries/Discipline: Nothing notable

Awards:

2015 Second Team AP All-American
Owns School records for Punt Average and Inside 20 punts in a season
Career NCAA record for punting yards per punt (since 2000)

Measurables

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 215
Class: Senior
Projected 40 Time: 4.90

Stats

2015: 60 punts, 2848 yards, 47.5 averages
2014: 62 punts, 2737 yards, 44.1 averages
2013: 44 punts, 2085 yards, 47.4 averages
2012: Redshirt
2011: 2 puns, 91 yards, 45.5 averages

Positives

• Highly Consistent in yardage
• Has a very strong leg, 70 yard career best
• Good directional ability
• Frequently places inside the 20, avoiding touchbacks
• Very productive in college
• Smooth, quick punting technique
• Good hang time, 5.0 seconds

Negatives

• Hang time can be inconsistent

Conclusion

You may be thinking, why are you highlighting a punter? However if you're a Jets fan, you've just sat through Ryan Quigley and the Jets special teams disaster in 2015, so you know we need to improve. I first saw drew against Ole Miss, where he was called on to punt 10 times in a single game. He boomed a kick that went 60 yards with a ridiculously long hang time, and I made a promise to feature him as soon as draft season arrived. He finished that game with a 47.9 yard average on his kicks. He finished his entire career with a 46.2 average which translated to the NFL would have placed him around the top 10. Take his actual average from this year, 47.5 and he'd be a top 5 punter.

Now punting is not all about distance, it's about hang time and direction. He has all of that; his hang time was consistently recorded between 4.7 and 5.0 at kicking camps, based on 2013 NFL averages of 4.4 and a league high of 4.8, he should have no problem sticking in the NFL. In fact, I would be surprised if he doesn't become one of the better NFL punting prospects in the league.

Nobody is going to get excited about a punter; it's the nature of the position. However having a decent punter is important, having a good one can be a massive advantage. The Jets haven't really prioritised special teams, but I would happily consider drafting Kaser anywhere from the 5th round onwards. I think he'll definitely be drafted, and it would be a value selection for the Jets.

Draft Grade: 70

90-100 = Exceptional Talent
80-90 = Impact Player
70-80 = NFL Starter
60-70 = Solid NFL Potential
50-60 = Draftable - Lot of work needed
>50 = Undraftable, - Long Shot To Stick