NFL Draft position preview: Special teams

Overview

The class lacks a slam-dunk draft choice. Forget a kicker or punter worthy of top-100 consideration. The top specialist might be Vanderbilt long snapper Andrew East.

Cowboys’ needs

Kicker Dan Bailey ranks as the most accurate kicker in NFL history, converting 89.764 percent of his career kicks. He has nine game-winning kicks, including five in overtime, in his career. Punter Chris Jones had a 39.8 net average last season, and the Cowboys brought in Australian Tom Hornsey to compete for the job. The Cowboys need a returner or returners to replace Dwayne Harris.

Top three kickers

Justin Manton, Louisiana-Monroe, 6-3, 196. He was only 3-for-6 from 40 yards or more the past two seasons, though he went 20-for-24 overall last season.

Kyle Brindza, Notre Dame, 6-1, 236. He went 5-for-11 last season from 40 yards or more, but he ended his career with a 32-yard, game-winner vs. LSU.

Sam Ficken, Penn State, 6-1, 191. He made 24 of 29 attempts last season and 54-of-75 for his career.

Top three punters

Kyle Loomis, Portland State, 6-2, 221. Loomis began his career at Oregon State before serving in the U.S. Army. He led the nation the past two years with averages of 46.5 and 46.0.

Trevor Pardula, Kansas, 6-4, 227. He averaged 43.7 yards per punt in 2013 and 44.3 last season.

Kyle Christy, Florida, 6-2, 202. He had a career average of 43.7, including 44.3 last season.

Top long snapper

Andrew East, Vanderbilt, 6-2, 239. His father was a long snapper for Purdue.

Sleeper

Tom Obarski, PK, Concordia-St. Paul, 5-10, 181. He made five field goals over 50 yards, including a 59-yarder.

Top Texas ties

Josh Lambo, PK, Texas A&M, 6-0, 216. He made 21 of 25 attempts in two seasons.

Spencer Roth, P, Baylor, 6-4, 227. He had a career average of 43.7, and in his four seasons, he dropped 55 punts inside the 20.

This story was originally published April 21, 2015 at 9:09 PM with the headline "NFL Draft position preview: Special teams."