Rams Eying Michigan K Jake Moody as Late-Round Draft Target?
Could the Los Angeles Rams look to the 2023 NFL Draft to fill their void at … placekicker?
Despite only 17 kickers having been selected in the past 10 NFL drafts, the Rams have a clear need at the position.
Following a season in which he converted 28 of 30 field goal attempts, now former Rams’ kicker Matt Gay signed a four-year $22.5 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts earlier this month.
As such, the Rams are searching for a new leg in 2023.
Though L.A. and prime Draft capital have not exactly been recently synonymous with each other, they do possess eight picks in the fifth round or later — where 15 of the aforementioned 17 have been chosen.
For this reason, they might be well-served by keeping an eye on Michigan kicker Jake Moody.
Moody is widely considered one of the top specialists in this year's NFL draft. 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.
"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."
While the Rams 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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