Few kickers get drafted in the first round. (Three total)
Just as few NFL players become opera singers. (Four according to the first page of a Google search)
Justin Tucker is a kicker, who was not drafted in the first round, (although at this point it is justified that he should have been).
Tucker is however an opera singer. But that story has already been told.
Last night the Baltimore Ravens won on Monday Night Football thanks to the leg and not the vocal cords of Tucker.
This begs the question, how many first-round picks would a team be willing to give up to acquire a kicker with the skill set of the opera signing kicker?
This question raises another question in response, how many first-round picks would the Ravens demand in return if they would even be willing to part ways with the nine-year veteran?
Russell Wilson and Tucker both entered the NFL in 2012. Since then Tucker has outscored Wilson 1198–126. Wouldn’t most general managers trade at least three first-rounders for Mr. Unlimited? I rest my case.
But if you need more convincing. This season Baltimore’s kicker ranks 9th in points scored. While D.K. Metcalf ranks 41st. Tucker’s value blows Metcalf out of the water, they aren’t even in the same universe when it comes to putting points on the board.
The most recent place kicker to be drafted in the first round, Sebastian Janikowski, only accumulated 905 points through his first nine seasons as a professional. Tucker is going to pass 1200 by the end of his ninth season.
Rickey Williams was traded for two first-round picks as well as 6 additional picks during the 1999 NFL draft. During his highest-scoring season in his career, he put up 102 points. Tucker has eclipsed 102 points each and every year he has been in the NFL.
Any NFL franchise should be willing to concede two first-round picks in exchange for Tucker. That would be a steal.
However, Baltimore shouldn’t move him for anything less than three first-rounders.
Alex Sommerfield Sports Blog 