New England Patriots kicker Chad Ryland Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Why the Patriots may need to punt on failed draft pick

By Pierce Downey | Last updated 1/3/24

Problems for the New England Patriots go far beyond just quarterback, where they have received shaky play all season from Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. The team also has kicking issues.

In the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft (112th overall), the highest the Patriots (4-12) have selected a kicker, New England picked Maryland's Chad Ryland. Most kickers – if they are drafted at all – tend to go in the later rounds of the draft.

Ryland was expected to replace veteran Nick Folk, who over four seasons with the Patriots made just under 90% of his field goals and set an NFL record for the most consecutive field goals under 50 yards (57).

Instead, Ryland has been a disaster, connecting on only 15-of-24 field goal attempts – a conversion percentage of 62.5%. Ryland's most notable miss came in Week 12, when his 35-yard field-goal attempt against the New York Giants sailed wide left.

Rock bottom for the #Patriots: Kicker Chad Ryland misses a 35-yard game-tying FG and the Giants will win 10-7.

New England is 2-9 on the season. pic.twitter.com/aBzLxexsv7
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 26, 2023

In Week 16 against the Broncos, Ryland dug a hole for the Patriots by missing an easy field goal and an extra point early. Check out this priceless reaction from head coach Bill Belichick over the FG miss.

Bill Belichick's reaction to a horribly missed FG by Chad Ryland. pic.twitter.com/10y71URxdE
— Jordy McElroy (@JordyMcElroy) December 25, 2023

In the waning seconds of the game, Ryland offset the misses with a winning 56-yard field goal that, ironically, may hurt the team's draft position in the first round.

CHAD RYLAND 56 YARDS FOR THE WIN!!! pic.twitter.com/vn7CkJ0BIy
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) December 25, 2023

Before the draft, Ryland received tepid evaluations.

"He will need to improve his overall accuracy and placement to make an NFL team," NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote.

"Struggled down the stretch of the 2022 season. Kickoffs can be all over the place," Pro Football Football Network noted.

To make matters worse for Belichick and Ryland, Folk – who plays for the Tennessee Titans – has been stellar this season, recording a sizzling 96.7% conversion percentage on field goals.

Belichick has an unimpressive recent track record in the draft. Ryland, whose job is in jeopardy, may end up being another costly miss.

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