Felger and Mazz Big Board: Kickers for the Patriots in the 2021 NFL Draft

Author Sports Hub Staff

April 23rd, 2021 4:46 PM

The first week of the Felger & Mazz Big Board wrapped up on Friday with special teams. Given Jake Bailey’s All-Pro 2020 season, the decision was made to just pick kickers, and leave any punting prospects alone.

Kicker is an understated need for the Patriots heading into the 2021 NFL Draft. Nick Folk returns after a solid season, but he’s 36-years-old and on a one-year deal. Those factors combined with the general up-and-down nature of the position mean the Patriots need to start thinking long-term at the position, especially after releasing 2020 fifth-round pick Justin Rohrwasser last month.

Mazz and Jim Murray ended up adding arguably the two best kickers in the draft to what is already a strong big board. Here’s who they hit, with analysis from Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.

• K Evan McPherson, Florida

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  Strengths:
  
  --Kicks with short, controlled follow through.
  
  --Uses drive kick when he needs extra on it.
  
  --Consistent trajectory and end-over-end balls.
  
  Weaknesses:
  
  --Smaller than average build.
  
  --Kicked off out of bounds twice in 2020.
  
  (Source: NFL.com)

• K Riley Patterson, Memphis

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  Strengths:
  
  --Long-levered and able to generate instant lift.
  
  --Short, compact follow-through.
  
  --Athletic with decent speed and ability to tackle in coverage.
  
  Weaknesses:
  
  --Made just 3 of 8 beyond 50 yards and 7 of 13 beyond 40 yards in 2020.
  
  --Very average leg strength for kickoffs.
  
  (Source: NFL.com)

Listen below for the live results of Friday’s Big Board, including the scouting reports (segment starts at 26:14)…

Get the latest NFL Draft news and Patriots draft coverage at the Patriots Draft Hub at 985TheSportsHub.com.

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Author Sports Hub Staff

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