New York Jets: Post-Combine 7-round 2018 mock draft

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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) /

Let’s get the argument out of the way about the Jets having too many holes to draft a punter. They do have a lot of holes. But despite the narrative that’s out there about Lachlan Edwards being a good punter, he’s not.

Being 10th in the NFL in gross punting average doesn’t make you a good punter. It’s about what your opponents can do with your punts that make you a difference maker. Frankly, he was an average punter at best, and teams were regularly in good field position because his punts weren’t doing the job.

Edwards allowed a league high 49 punts to be returned for an average of 10 yards per return. The 491 total yards was fourth most in the NFL. His net punt average was 18th in the NFL, and his fair catch forced and punts inside the 20 percentages were both ranked 16th.

Michael Dickson would fix the issue of opponent field position on punts immediately. First and foremost, he doesn’t allow many returns 33 of his 84 punts in 2017 were fair caught. Second, half of his punts ended up inside the 20 yard line. Finally, only 17 of his punts were actually returned, and for 112 total yards.

It’s all about field position in the NFL, and it’s the punter’s job to not allow the opponent’s to establish good field position. Dickson did a good job, and the Jets will need that.

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