Cowboys need to make controversial free agent signing to fix big problem
The Dallas Cowboys addressed plenty of their top needs through a couple of trades in March and their 2023 NFL Draft class. But one position that remains a question mark the size of The Star in Frisco is the kicker spot. As of right now, the Cowboys have only one guy roster: Tristan Vizcaino. In […]
The Dallas Cowboys addressed plenty of their top needs through a couple of trades in March and their 2023 NFL Draft class. But one position that remains a question mark the size of The Star in Frisco is the kicker spot.
As of right now, the Cowboys have only one guy roster: Tristan Vizcaino. In his three years in the NFL, Vizcaino has only 12 career attempts. In other words, we simply don't know much about him and what he brings to the table.
"I think anybody else on Earth who's not on the team right now is under consideration," said special teams coordinator John Fassel via Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken.
Based on Fassel's description, that includes the man who missed five extra points in last year's playoffs: Brett Maher. The veteran remains unsigned and quite honestly, he appears to be the safest bet the Cowboys can make heading into the 2023 NFL season.
Should we just act like those five misses didn't happen? No, of course not. But consider the available options, mainly the top four "big-name" free agents available. Below is their field goal efficiency rate over the last couple of seasons per Pro Football Reference:
- Ryan Succop: 82%
- Robbie Gould: 85%
- Randy Bullock: 84%
- Mason Crosby: 79%
- Brett Maher: 90%
It's easy to think the grass is greener with a new face at the position but recent performance suggests Maher's got the leg-up on any other available option. This is without even considering his impact when it comes to kickoff duties. Among kickers with at least 50 attempts, he had the fourth-highest touchback rate in the NFL at 78%.
It would be understandably controversial considering how he ended the season but the numbers scream he's the next signing the Cowboys must make at this stage of the offseason. Considering the lack of supply in the market, they better hurry, too.
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