I can’t believe it’s that time of year already. It’s NFL free agency season and it has never been more exciting. As a huge football fan, there’s nothing better than when a big time free agent changes teams and the speculation of who will be putting pen to paper on a new deal.
This season in particular will feature a unique and interesting group of free agent punters. Punters don’t typically get the same recognition as other position players, but this year is different. Clubs have been willing to invest in premium punters to try and get an edge in field position.
The first free agent punter to watch is Sam Martin. He has been one of the most consistent punters in the league since he was drafted. He can kick the ball out of the endzone with ease and his directional punting is some of the best in the league. He has said publicly that he wants a team “where he can be successful and be respected”. I think one of the teams that could use his services are the Seattle Seahawks. They always seem to have trouble in the field position game and he could provide them a big boost in that department.
The second free agent punter to watch is Ryan Allen. He’s been kicking in the NFL since 2014 and has the ability to pin opponents inside their own 20 with almost surgical precision. His leg strength is one of his greatest strengths as he can routinely kick 60+ yard punts. He has expressed interest in joining a club with a long-term vision because he feels that could help him reach his maximum potential as a punter. I think the Kansas City Chiefs could be a great fit for him, as they already have a lot of talent and could use a specialist such as him to take them to the next level.
The third and final free agent punter that I think is worth taking a look at is Colton Schmidt. He has been kicking in the league for nearly a decade and has one of the biggest legs in the business. His average distance on punts is one of the highest in the league, while his accuracy and precision are also near the top. He values having an opportunity to be the starting punter and is looking to join a team that will let him have a part of their success. I think the New England Patriots could use him as another weapon in their quest for another Super Bowl title.
These three punters are some of the best in the league and it should be interesting to see which teams they end up with. As a fan, I can’t wait to see what kind of moves teams make to bring in the best players to help their team reach their fullest potential. Will the Seahawks add the veteran veteran leadership of Sam Martin to shore up their special teams? Will the Chiefs be able to capture the magical punting abilities of Ryan Allen? Or will the Patriots add another weapon to the greatest dynasty in history? Whatever happens, I’m sure it’s going to be an exciting season of football.