We highlighted the upcoming kickoff changes for the 2024 season yesterday. Especially their impact on the Cowboys’ special teams unit.
But today let’s take at look at all four teams in the NFC East and try to determine which team benefits most from the changes.
And which of the four teams enters the 2024 season with the best special teams units in the division.
Dallas Cowboys
As mentioned yesterday, Brandon Aubrey will likely remain the kicker on kickoffs.
He’s a former soccer player. He should be able to adjust his kickoffs to drop the ball into the designated landing zone.
And his record-setting season last year on field goals speaks for himself.
The Cowboys are set at punter with Bryan Anger.
Anger had career marks in punting yardage in 2023. He’s showing no signs of slowing down.
The real impact for Dallas comes with the returners.
Both KaVontae Turpin and Deuce Vaughn should benefit the most from the change.
Especially if Cowboys special teams coach Joh Fassel puts them both in play on the kickoffs. In 2023 the Cowboys failed to have a single return for a touchdown.
Something tells me the special teams unit is going to get on the scoreboard in 2024.
New York Giants
Graham Gano will be playing in his 15th NFL season in 2024. It will be his fifth with the Giants.
Jude McAtamney is an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers who will be pushing Gano for the placekicking job.
A feather in McAtamney’s cap – in addition to his being younger and cheaper – is that he is a former Gaelic football player.
Its an Irish sport, if you were wondering. As best as I can tell its what would happen if you blended American football, Australian Rules football, soccer, and rugby.
Somehow, this Frankenstein monster has managed to survive, and thrive, in Ireland.
But the ability to kick the ball with control of direction, speed, and with accuracy, would be very attractive to the Giants with the new rules.
I suspect Gano’s job is in dire jeopardy. I also suspect McAtamney will beat him out for the job.
Punter Jamie Gillan is entering his sixth season – second in New York – and should remain a solid punter for the Giants.
The Giants are going to rely on Isaiah McKenzie and Gunner Olszewski for their return game. Both men have a punt return for a touchdown in their careers.
But neither has returned a kickoff for a score.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jake Elliott has been the Eagles kicker since the 2017 season. He has a career 86% success rate on field goals.
But his touchback percentage was not so great. The kickoff rule change may benefit him is an unintended way.
Since he hasn’t been able to drive the ball deep into the endzone, he might fare better dropping the ball into the landing zone.
Assuming his distance control is better than his length.
Braden Mann will be playing his second season as the Eagles punter. Last season he set career marks in punting yardage.
The Eagles appear to be set with their kickers.
As far as the return game, Philadelphia will lean on Britain Covey and rookie Ainias Smith. Both are unproven quantities.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are turning to Ramiz Ahmed for their kicking duties – at least for now.
Because Ahmed has a grand total of one career NFL game. In 2022 he played that game with Green Bay and had six kickoffs.
Three went for touchbacks.
He didn’t kick a field goal or an extra point. Ahmed may – or may not – be the starter in September.
Tress Way has 10 years as Washington’s punter on his resume. Barring injury, he’ll log his 11th.
And he should have a solid season as usual.
The Commanders appear to be ready to turn to receivers Jamison Crowder and Jahan Dotson on punt returns with Dax Milne handling kickoff returns.
Ranking The Division
Right now it’s a dead draw – with Dallas holding a slight advantage.
But until the season starts its nearly impossible to make the call on which team has the best overall special teams unit.
If it were just the kickers and punters it would be Dallas, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington. But this year might be the year of the returners.
And until we see how the unit coordinators adjust to the new reality – and how the returners fare – its too close to call.
But one thing is for sure.
Special teams play is going have a bigger impact in the NFC East this year. And that’s a good thing.
