Seattle Seahawks: 5 Bold predictions for the 2018 regular season
By Samuel Teets
Michael Dickson will be the best punter in the league
This isn’t the most significant or dazzling prediction, but it’s worth noting just how good Dickson is. Going into the season, it would’ve taken a lot to dislodge fan favorite, punter Jon Ryan, from his job in Seattle. Dickson, a rookie fifth round pick, was just fantastic during the preseason and took over the starting job from Ryan, which facilitated the veteran’s departure from the team.
During the preseason, Dickson averaged 48.6 yards per punt on 17 attempts, six of which ended up staying inside opponents’ 20-yard line. His hang time, depth, and ball control are just incredible, so much so that he’s actually a weapon that will help the Seahawks defense out big time. Dickson is on his way to becoming Seattle’s defense’s best friend.
If you’re not sold on how good he is, just watch how he played against the Minnesota Vikings during the Preseason. Two of those punts traveled over 55 yards and then went out of bounds at the three-yard line. No punter had more than three punts like that all of last season, and Dickson did it twice in one game. That’s huge for the field position battle, very few offenses can take the ball from the three and then drive and score.
This guy has people from all over watching punting highlights, and yes those are a real thing. That’s how you know he’s going to be great.