New York Jets: 9 XFL players who can help Gang Green in 2020
By Ed Stein
Special teams
Good news here. Lac Edwards has more than proved himself as a quality NFL punter since the New York Jets picked him in the seventh round of the 2016 draft (235th overall). The Australian from Sam Houston State has a career average of 45.5 yards per punt. Likewise, the return game is solid with Vyncint Smith and Braxton Berrios to handle punts and kickoffs respectively.
Then there is the kicker. If Mike Maccagnon was still Gang Green’s GM, he’d probably regret letting Pro Bowl kicker Jason Myers walk after the 2018 season. Since Myers’ departure, the job has become a giant black hole. The latest man to try and fill Myers’ shoes is Sam Ficken. After converting 19-of-27 field goal attempts and 23-of-26 extra points in 2019, Ficken has no job security.
That’s where either Austin MacGinnis or Matt McCrane come in. Both men were perfect through five games, nailing all their field goal attempts. MacGinnis connected on all ten of his chances for Dallas. If not for him, the Renegades who only had nine touchdowns would have been in a world of trouble scoring points.
The edge, however, goes to McCrane who went 8-of-8 for the New York Guardians. His totals include hitting on three field goals from 40-49 yards and two from over 50, with a long of 53. His (brief) familiarity with successfully kicking at MetLife should make him a no-brainer for a battle with Ficken this summer.