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Oakland Raiders: Handing out grades for the team’s 2018 draft picks

By Kevin Saito

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "OUR FUTURE IS NOW" for the Oakland Raiders during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "OUR FUTURE IS NOW" for the Oakland Raiders during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Oakland Raiders
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Anfernee Jennings #33 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Johnny Townsend #19 of the Florida Gators in the second quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. University of Florida. Johnny Townsend. 173. 28. Punter

Having cut Marquette King loose this offseason amid a cloud of acrimony and drama, the Raiders found themselves in the market for a punter. Despite the presence of Colby Wadman on the roster, most figured they’d look to the draft, as there were a number of good ones.

Having lost out on Texas’ Michael Dickson earlier in the round and Alabama’s J.K. Scott just a pick before them, the Raiders used their fifth-round pick (73 overall) on Florida’s Johnny Townsend.

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    • In Townsend, it appears that the Raiders got a good one. Over the last two years with the Gators, he has averaged better than 47 yards per kick, placing 27 punts inside the 20-yard line last year alone.

    The one knock on him is that his kicks lack elite hang time, not allowing his punt team to get down into coverage quickly enough, which allows plenty of return yards.

    But, with Gruden’s stated emphasis on improving kick coverage, and loading up on veteran players as he rebuilds the units, that lack of hang time may be less of an issue than it was in college. If Gruden can get enough guys with speed on the field, it may be more difficult for Townsend to outkick the coverage.

    Though, it will be important for him to work on improving his hang time to put his coverage team in the best position possible. But, given his natural leg strength and his skill as a directional punter, on paper,Townsend seems like a solid pick up and an asset to the special teams.

    There will likely be a camp battle between Wadman and Townsend for the job, but given that Oakland used a fifth-round pick on him, you’d figure that Townsend has got the inside track.

    GRADE: A-

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