New York Jets: 2018 Offseason predictions, 7-round mock draft, Vol. 2.0

FLORHAM PARK, NJ - JANUARY 21: New York Jets Owner Woody Johnson (C) poses with new General Manager Mike Maccagnan (L) and new Head Coach Todd Bowles after they were introduced to the media during a press conference on January 21, 2015 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) /

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STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 1 : Punter Michael Dickson #13 of the Texas Longhorns kicks during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys October 1, 2016 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defeated the Longhorns 49-31. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

Special teams is an often unnoticed part of football. Since the Jets had a lot of problems in 2017, you can understand why the problems in the punting game went unnoticed or swept under the rug, I am pretty sure the Jets didn’t miss those issues.

Lachlan Edwards is improving as a punter, but he’s not quite there yet. He allowed too many returns (49) in 2017, which was tied for the most in the league. In addition to that the difference between his average yardage and net average was 6.1, and that was ninth highest in the NFL.

Punting and field goal kicking doesn’t change much from college to the NFL, because the pressure doesn’t get through at such a drastically higher rate than in college. So, when assessing the net punting of a player in college, there won’t likely be a drastic difference.

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Dickson was the Ray Guy Award winner for best punter, and the difference between his total punt average and net was four. He also allowed only returns on 84 punts, of the 67 punts that weren’t returned, 33 were fair catches. So, that means not only is he capable of hangtime, but he’s also of kicking the ball out of bounds. The Jets need a punter who can shift field position in their favor, and Dickson can be that guy.

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