The addition of Chris Naggar points to competition on the horizon for incumbent Jets kickers Sam Ficken and Chase McLaughlin.
New York did little to address the kicking position this offseason after Ficken hardly did enough to inspire confidence going forward. In nine games last season, Ficken made 13-15 field goal attempts while going 12-15 on extra-points. The Jets elected to waive Ficken in favor of McLaughlin after the 28-year-old missed a field goal and extra point in New York’s 23-16 win over the Browns in Week 16.
McLaughlin, a journeyman as well, went 2-2 on extra-point attempts for the Jets last year but did not attempt a field goal with New York. He made 4-5 field goals in three games with the Jaguars earlier in the season.
Neither he nor Ficken locked the position down. That’s where Naggar comes into play.
The undrafted free agent out of SMU has a chance to change New York’s inconsistencies in the kicking game. Naggar converted 17-21 field goals, 43-46 extra points and averaged 39.3 yards per punt on 29 attempts for the Mustangs last season. New York is set at the punter position with Braden Mann, but in any event, Naggar has significant leg power.
Naggar was named The American Athletic Conference’s Special Teams Player of the year for his performance this past season. Additionally, he was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza National Collegiate Place-Kicker Award.
While he may be an undrafted free agent, Naggar has a chance to shake up New York’s kicking competition this summer. Especially when considering that Gang Green has not gotten enough stability from the position since Nick Folk was a member of the team.
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