New York Jets: 5 Sleepers to target in 2018 NFL Draft
1. Michael Dickson, P, Texas
Being a sleeper isn’t always about where you are drafted, sometimes it’s about the perception of your position. Most fans won’t even think about the Jets drafting a punter, let alone one that goes on Day 2, but Texas Longhorns product Michael Dickson is the guy.
It’s rare for a punter to go early in the draft. In fact, Bryan Anger is the only punter in the last 10 years to be drafted in the first three rounds. Dickson is a good punter, and the position is one of the most important positions in the NFL, because the punter has a huge effect on the outcome of the game.
Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Full two-round projection
The punter is the only player who, by himself, can shift field position in favor or to the detriment of the team he’s on. Dickson showed that he’s going to be a great one. He led the nation in net punt average. He forced a forced a fair catch on 39.3 percent of his punts, and 50 percent of his punts ended up inside the 20. However, because of the perception of being “just a punter,” he’s a sleeper.
And he’s a sleeper that would greatly benefit Gang Green moving forward.