2017 NFL Draft: Chargers Draft a Quarterback in this Seven Round Mock Draft
By Jason Reed
Last year the Chargers selected punter Drew Kaser out of Texas A&M in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, now, in the 2017 NFL Draft the Chargers should look to draft the other specialist – the kicker. Say what you want about Josh Lambo but I do not like the guy, he is seemingly far too inconsitent. But then again, I constantly find myself upset at the Chargers kicker so maybe I am the problem.
Regardless, Zane Gonzalez is actually a pretty good kicker out of Arizona State, and quite frankly this would be the best sixth round selection the Chargers could make. Instead of drafting a guy that may make no impact, they can turn their focus into a huge aspect of the game and nail a solid kicker, which would certainly be an improvement from the team’s current kicker.
Gonzalez has that leg and could be a much needed anchor for the Chargers special teams.
In both 2015 and 2016 Josh Lambo went 26-32 on his field goal attempts, accounting for a career 81.3%. His longest ever made is 54 yards and his extra point percentage is 89.7%. Lambo is a solid option from close, but lacks the leg to be a consistent kicker at the NFL level. Gonzalez has that leg and could be a much needed anchor for the Chargers special teams.
Last season Gonzalez went 23-25, amounting to nailing 92% of his field goals. The longest he made was from 59 yards, with his only two misses being from over 50 yards. Gonzalez was 16-16 from inside 40 yards, and 7-9 from outside of fifty yards.
These kicking stats are extremely welcomed and would give the Chargers a reliable option to kick field goals. Say what you want about the level of play being different in college for any other position. The kickers in college practially have an identical role as they would in the NFL, showing that Gonzalez could be a long time, great, kicker for the Los Angeles Chargers.