2025 SPECIAL TEAMS

NUMERICAL RATINGS/DRAFT VALUE EXPLANATION  KICKERS/PUNTERS/RETURNERS/LONG SNAPPERS

90-100 Elite player, Yearly in All Pro debate Top 3 player at position, perenial Pro Bowler 15+ year career at elite level. In HOF conversation. NEVER misses EP's. Does not miss under 50 yards, has range to 60+, kickoffs non returnable, consistent and reliable in any and all weather and pressure conditions,  KR's must be threat every time they touch the ball, force the other team to great measures to keep the ball away from them, RARE PLAYER!!!  Late 1st through 3rd round

80-89  Solid player with Flaws that can be overcome with a few years of patience, good coaching, and personal  work ethic. will be the starter but the team will always be looking for a better option. some have a long career, most  likely  4/6 year career max at best level in most cases, then on the bubble year to year. And new teams year to year  Draft 4th through 6th round

70-79   Developmental Practice squad player,could develop into the starter with tenacity and patience, K/P's must have a big leg or be a solid return specialist. Likely just on roster a year or two at best. 1 in 50 can beat the odds and have a longer career.Draft 7th round or Priority Free Agent (PFA)

60-69  Player on the practice squad at best when team needs a body could be active for a couple games due to injuries. or special teams ability. Not long for the team. Week to Week. 1 in 100 will carve out a longer career due to incredible diligence and tenacity. Likely will sign with several teams over a few years. Teams will lead these guys on often knowing they will never play a down for them. Better not completely leave school before graduation that degree will be necessary.Free Agents only.  (UDFA)

Under 60  Training camp body at best, HOPE YOU GOT YOUR DEGREE!!! THE REAL WORLD IS COMING!!!!!!!!! Players with some skills or perhaps tremendous intangables worthy of a Camp Invite, 1 in 500 make something  more out of this. Frankly,GM's who sign these guys for anything more than a camp body will be looking for work soon.
 

                                                          PLACE KICKERS 

  Although Kickers are often the direct difference between winning and losing, they are still treated as non-important cogs in the Football Machine.  Top kickers are rarely taken above 5th round and cursed if the miss any kick. 

2025 KICKER OVERVIEW:

I see 3 draftable players this year. I picked Sauls as #1 but it's close like most season. The next several players have kicked in warm weather their entire careers so I've learned that can be a problem in the NFL even with all the soft ass domes!

                           2025 PLACE KICKER RANKINGS/CLASS GRADE C

Rank          Name               Sch      Ht     Wt     Rtg   Rnd  Value 

1.Ben Sauls                       Pitt    5-10   185     78     Early 7th

2.Ryan Fitzgerald        FlaSt   5-10   195     76     Mid 7th

3.Andres Borregalas  Mia(F) 5-10   199     75     Late 7th

4.Graham Nicholson   Ala        6-0     185     72     UDFA

5.Tyler Loop                      Az        5-11   191     71     UDFA

6.Dragen Kesisch         Minn      6-4    230     68      UDFA

7.Caden Davis               Miss        6-2    208     65      UDFA

8.Ken  Almendaris       ULL        6-2     252     62      UDFA

*******************************************************************************

                        2025 PUNTER CLASS GRADE                                     

                                          PUNTERS

 Much like the Kickers the Punter is a highly underappreciated. Only making news when they have a bad day or hell even one bad kick and then they are hung out to dry. I'm not of the Jim Tressel mod, ya know, "the punt is the most important play of the game" but the Punter is vital to the game and a good one can gain a team many yards over a game and a season and a bad one can cost a team games plain and simple!   

2025 PUNTER OVERVIEW:        

Just like the kickers, the top punters all have interesting potential. The top 5 on this list all have the ability to make a team. That said, I don't see a sure fire 10-year starter. Take your pick. 

                                    PUNTER RANKINGS/CLASS GRADE C+  

Rk      Name                      Sch       Ht     Wt    Rtg   Rnd  Value

1.James Burnip             Ala      6-6    243     78    Early 7th

2.Jeremy Crawshaw   Fla      6-3    199     76    Mid 7th

3.Eddie Czaplicki          USC    6-1    205     75    Late 7th

4.Kai Kroger                   SCar    6-3    213     74    Late 7th

5.Alex Mastromanno FlaSt   6-1    241     70    UDFA

6.Mason Fletcher          Cin      6-7    212     66    UDFA

7.Jesse Mirco                 Vand   6-4     222     64   UDFA

8.Tyler Pastula              SDSt    6-3     215     62   UDFA

    2025      KICK RETURN SPECIALISTS/CLASS GRADE 

With new NFL rules on KO's this position that was formally viewed as a Punt return position now is dual purpose, no longer will teams carry someone to just return KO's. True KR Specialists are becoming very rare, these players will need to be a position player with back up capabilities at the least and being able to contribute on all other special teams will be a MAJOR plus. All of these players are rated by their KR ability and draft round value by their position Player rating if it differs as this will determine their value to NFL teams.    

          KICK RETURN SPECIALIST RANKINGS/CLASS GRADE

Rk     Name                     Sch      Ht      Wt      Rtg    Pos     Rnd Value

1.LaJohnny Wester   Col     5-11   167      80    SWR    Late 6th

2.Jaylin Lane           VaTch    5-10    191     78     SWR   Early 3rd

3.Barrion Brown         Ky        6-1     174     76     SWR   Mid 6th

4.Jaylin Noel             IoSt       5-10   200      70    SWR    Early 4th

5.Silas Bolden            Tex        5-8     157      66    SWR    Late 7th

*******************************************************************************

                                              2025 LONG SNAPPERS/CLASS GRADE  

    I'm no longer ranking this position.

                             LONG SNAPPER RANKINGS

 Rk      Name            Sch     Ht     Wt     Rtg     Rnd Value

1.