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NFL Scouting Combine 2016 participants: Specialists

By Charles Rahrig V

Oct 25, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes punter Tom Hackett (33) punts the ball during the second half against the USC Trojans at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes punter Tom Hackett (33) punts the ball during the second half against the USC Trojans at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here are the specialists participating in the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Special Teams can win and lose games just as easily as the other phases of the game in football. Far too many times there has been examples of teams not having strong special teams and it ultimately costing the team in a big game. This year’s AFC Championship was a prime example of special teams playing a key part in the game.

Teams want to know that they can have a punter and kicker along with other special teams players that they can rely on to go out on the field and do their jobs. Whether it’s pinning a team deep or making a field goal, specialists ultimately decide field position and in some cases, the game.

Teams will be looking at specialists at the NFL Scouting Combine and it will be a chance for teams to bring in players that can revamp their special teams.

Here’s a list of the specialists participating in the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine.

"Roberto Aguayo (K), Florida StateBrad Craddock (K), MarylandRiley Dixon (P), SyracuseLac Edwards (P), Sam Houston StateKa’imi Fairbairn (K), UCLATom Hackett (P), UtahDrew Kaser (P), Texas A&MMarshall Koehn (K), IowaJimmy Landes (LS), BaylorJohn Lunsford (K), LibertyWill Monday (P), DukeJaden Oberkrom (K), TCUNick O’Toole (P), West Virginia"

The big name that people will be looking at is punter Tom Hackett. Hackett easily established himself as the best punter in college football and the guy has a knack for pinning the opposing team.

It will be interesting to see if a team is willing to spend a draft pick on a specialist, but history has shown that one of these guys will be taken at the draft. Special teams can win games and it can lose games just as easily. Finding the right guy will be key for teams.

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