NFL kickoffs are about to look much different. Thanks to recently approved rule changes, special teams players could have more value than ever. Here are four to keep an eye on in the 2024 NFL Draft.
K Joshua Karty, Stanford
Karty made just 66.7% of field goals in his first college season but went 18-for-18 in 2022, including 13 kicks of 40 yards or more. He also had a career-long kick of 61 yards that year, winning the first of two Irving S. Zeimer awards as the team’s most valuable player.
He made 85.2% of field goals last season, with the ninth-most attempts (27) in college football. Karty has been one of the most accurate and consistent kickers in the NCAA over the past two seasons, with leg strength that should keep him in the NFL for years.
P Tory Taylor, Iowa
At 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, the 26-year-old Australian punter would seem better suited for a rugby field if not for his terrific right leg. A unanimous All-American and Ray Guy Award winner in 2023, Taylor holds the Big Ten record with a career average of 46.3 yards per punt with 40 punts of at least 50 yards. He also set the NCAA single season record with 4,479 punt yards, a mark that stood since 1938.
According to The Athletic's Scott Dochterman, a number of teams have talked with Taylor at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. The Pittsburgh Steelers could be a strong possibility for Taylor after releasing punter Pressly Harvin III.
WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Worthy put the NFL on notice by running the fastest 40-yard dash in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine. His 4.21-second speed netted him 1,041 yards and five scores as a receiver in 2023 and 371 yards as a punt returner, the most in college football.
Xavier Worthy of Central HS (Fresno) runs the fastest 40-yard dash in NFL Scouting Combine history with his official time of 4.21 seconds. pic.twitter.com/5CcFKyAvxQ
— Gabe Camarillo (@gabecamarillo_) March 2, 2024
At 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, he will need to add size to compete with NFL cornerbacks but his speed could be a game-changer on returns. Keep an eye on the Cowboys. Dallas averaged a league-worst 5.4 yards per return and 98 total yards on punts last season. They could also use a receiver after releasing Michael Gallup.
WR Ainias Smith, Texas A&M
Smith had 2,812 yards and 23 touchdowns from scrimmage in five years as an Aggie. His 285 yards on punts ranked fourth among returners last season and included an 82-yard touchdown against Arkansas in the Southwest Classic.
A stress fracture kept him out of drills at the scouting combine, but he showed remarkable strength on the bench press with 21 reps of 225 pounds, tops among receivers. At 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, he’s best suited for a role on special teams with an eye towards slot receiver.
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