Cowboys to Pick a Kicker? 'I Would Draft Me!' - Jake Moody of Michigan

Could the Dallas Cowboys look to the 2023 NFL Draft to solve their kicking game woes?

Despite the fact that only 17 kickers have been selected in the past 10 NFL drafts, the Cowboys have a clear need at the position — and might be willing to invest draft capital to fill it.

"We'll look,'' Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said recently,  in the draft. It'd be nice to start with a young guy that can go out there and be successful and have the right nervous system to be successful and have a guy around here for three or four years. That'd be the perfect fit.''

Draft a kicker?

Having parted with two of their three fifth-rounders, to secure the services of both cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver Brandin Cooks respectively, the Cowboys do possess three picks in the fifth round or later — where 15 of the aforementioned 17 kickers have been chosen.

For this reason, they might be well-served by keeping an eye on former Michigan kicker, and Texas-sized personality, Jake Moody.

Moody is widely considered one of the top specialists in this year's NFL draft class. While rookie kickers are generally added to rosters as undrafted free agents, the ex-Wolverine’s resume makes a convincing case for reversing the trend.

During his tenure at Michigan, Moody set university records for points (355), field goals (69), and field goals of at least 40 yards (17.) He also tied the mark for kicks of at least 50 yards (four.)

Moody was the 2021 recipient of the Lou Groza Award as the nation's best college kicker for his junior campaign while finishing as the runner-up for the honor as a senior in 2022.

Overall, he ended his collegiate career by connecting on 69-for-84 (82.1 percent) of his field goals and a perfect 148 of 148 on extra points.

In addition to his statistical excellence, Moody also appears to have both the confidence and the temperament to handle the pressures of a pro-level kicker, especially in Dallas.

"I know what I’m capable of, and I feel like I’m worth a draft pick," Moody told the Detroit Free Press during the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. "It’s hard to come by a kicker that is worth getting drafted, but I think that I possess all the tools needed for that. And if it were up to me, I would draft myself."

Though he connected on 90.6% of his field goals, as well as 50 of 53 on extra points during the regular season, 2022 starter Brett Maher seems to have earned his ticket out of town with his well-documented postseason struggles. Notwithstanding the signing of Tristan Vizcaino, Dallas is expected to add what could be their long-term solution prior to the start of training camp.

While the Cowboys have several needs on their roster, Moody may possess the blend of skill and savvy to warrant the draft capital which has typically eluded specialists in recent memory.

Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL.

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