NFL Draft 2018: Texas’ Michael Dickson could be only punter chosen
By Dina Colunga
The NFL Draft is fast approaching, and the Texas’ MVP of the Texas Bowl, Michael Dickson, may be the only punter taken in the 2018 NFL Draft.
More: 2018 NFL Draft preview, player profiles and latest mock drafts
Hailing from Sydney, Australia Michael Dickson took Austin, Texas, by storm with his contribution to the special teams unit during his time with the Longhorns.
He was the 2017 Ray Guy Award recipient which is awarded to the nation’s best punter and an All-American. After having the best season of his career, Dickson decided to forgo his senior year with the Longhorns and declare for the NFL Draft. He is the highest graded punter in this year’s draft class, receiving a 5.70/10.
During his college career, Dickson recorded 226 punts with an average of 45 yards. During the 2017 season, 33/84 of his punts were fair catches and 42 were inside the 20-yard line.
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Dickson’s specialty was flipping the field for Texas and giving their opponents very few chances at a decent return, which he showcased for the bowl season audience to see in the Longhorn’s bowl game.
He was named the MVP of the Texas Bowl against the Missouri Tigers in December after a stellar performance where he had three punts inside the 10 yard line and four inside the five yard line.
Though one of the most talked about punters in the last few years, Dickson still has room for improvement. Short hang time and no kickoff experience are some of the negatives that come with drafting Dickson, however those skills can be easily coached.
In the last 10 years, only one punter has been taken in the first three rounds of the draft, Bryan Anger to the Jaguars in 2012, but Dickson is projected to go in rounds three or four and has a few landing spot options.
The teams that may need to add some depth to the position include, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chicago Bears, and the Oakland Raiders.
Why it makes sense for the Eagles
Philadelphia punter Donnie Jones retired after the Super Bowl. With only Cameron Johnston ahead of him, Dickson has a chance to come in and be the starter right away. Johnston who signed with the Eagles as an underrated free agent in 2017 after the NFL Draft, has not had any game experience for Philadelphia.
Why it makes sense for the Bears
Chicago’s current punter Pat O’Donnell is on a one year deal, so the Bears might to be looking to add some depth to the position sooner rather than later. With O’Donnell’s yard average tied for 25th in the NFL, it may be a good idea for the Bears to draft a better leg.
Why it makes sense for the Raiders
Oakland cut punter Marquette King last month in an effort to secure $3 million in cap room, and now they need to find his successor and a good one at that. King was third highest rated punter in the NFL averaging 42.7 yards a punt. Dickson would be a perfect fit in Oakland, his leg is the best in the draft and the Raiders need an excellent one to fill the void left by King.
Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: First round through Pro Days
Prediction: While his position doesn’t give Dickson the best odd’s of being drafted in the early rounds, don’t be surprised if you hear his name called in round three on April 27.