OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After weeks of figuring out kickers all around the nation, Baltimore Ravens senior particular groups coach Randy Brown had a clear-cut message for the crew heading into the draft.
Brown informed basic supervisor Eric DeCosta, “There’s one man that I actually covet.”
The Ravens needed Arizona’s Tyler Loop a lot that they made him the primary kicker drafted within the franchise’s 30-year historical past. On April 26, Baltimore used a sixth-round choose on Loop, who all of the sudden finds himself concerned within the largest query going through the crew: Will Loop substitute Justin Tucker as Baltimore’s kicker?
It was the primary signal that the crew is considering life after the NFL’s most correct kicker. The Ravens launched Tucker on Monday.
“Typically soccer choices are extremely troublesome, and that is a kind of situations,” DeCosta mentioned in an announcement. “Contemplating our present roster, we’ve made the powerful resolution to launch Justin Tucker. Justin created many important and unforgettable moments in Ravens historical past. His reliability, focus, drive, resilience and extraordinary expertise made him one of many league’s greatest kickers for over a decade. We’re grateful for Justin’s many contributions whereas taking part in for the Ravens. We sincerely want him and his household the perfect on this subsequent chapter of their lives.”
The Ravens have beforehand drafted 4 specialists of their historical past — three punters and one long-snapper — and all received their jobs as rookies. Loop’s robust leg and constant swing is what separated him from the opposite school prospects and made him the highest candidate to change into Tucker’s potential successor. It did not matter that Loop’s subject purpose proportion declined in all 4 years at Arizona. When the Ravens placed on tape of Loop kicking, each try seemed the identical.
“He is certainly one of these guys [who is] a kicking nerd, and also you wish to see that,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh mentioned. “He is actually into each element and approach, and he studied Justin loads and a variety of different guys, too.”
The Ravens’ rookie minicamp final weekend marked the primary time when most crew officers met Loop and noticed him kick in individual.
“We are going to get an opportunity to see his leg, and that may assist us tackle what our decision-making goes to be shifting ahead,” DeCosta mentioned earlier than minicamp.
Ravens officers beforehand indicated that they will not make a willpower on Tucker till the NFL has completed its investigation on allegations of sexual misconduct. Tucker has been accused of inappropriate conduct by 16 therapeutic massage therapists from eight Baltimore spas and wellness facilities, in keeping with The Baltimore Banner. He has twice publicly disputed the allegations.
DeCosta mentioned the crew would not know of any timeline for the NFL investigation. In 2021, it took 5 months for the league and the gamers’ union to finalize a settlement in Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s sexual assault case.
When Tucker labored out and kicked on the Ravens facility, crew officers spoke to him in regards to the possibilities of Baltimore drafting a kicker.
“He already understood,” Harbaugh mentioned. “He knew the state of affairs. … So, he knew that was a chance.”
Loop cannot depend the variety of instances he met with the Ravens through the pre-draft course of, nevertheless it was sufficient to let him know that Baltimore was undoubtedly . He met with a scout on the Hula Bowl in January after which spoke with Brown through the specialist exercise on the NFL scouting mix in February. Loop additionally had a personal exercise with Brown in Arizona.
The second when Loop felt like he was going to Baltimore was after the New England Patriots used a sixth-round choose on Andres Borregales, who was the primary kicker drafted this 12 months. 4 choices later, the Ravens phoned Loop to tell him that he was going to be the No. 186 choose.
“Oh dude, complete elation getting the decision,” Loop mentioned. “I noticed the world code come throughout my cellphone. I used to be like, ‘Let’s go. I’ll Baltimore.'”
When NFL groups draft kickers, it is often with the intent of them taking part in instantly. Of the 19 kickers taken during the last 10 drafts, 14 of them have been their crew’s full-time kickers as rookies. The final kicker who was drafted and did not play for that crew in his first season was Justin Rohrwasser, who was chosen within the fifth spherical by New England in 2020 and minimize earlier than the beginning of the common season.
Not like these different drafted kickers, none needed to substitute a kicker like Tucker, who holds the NFL marks for greatest profession subject purpose proportion (89.1%) and longest subject purpose (66 yards). Tucker completed the 2024 season with a career-low 73.3% subject purpose proportion.
Requested how a lot stress he would really feel to observe in Tucker’s footsteps, Loop mentioned, “I feel it is actually thrilling greater than stress, simply because it offers you one thing to shoot for, proper?”
Loop has handled challenges throughout his school profession. He is had three completely different particular groups coaches. He additionally had points with snaps and holds, which is a giant cause why his success price went from 100% as a freshman (12-of-12) to 78.3% in his remaining season (18-of-23).
Final season, Loop confirmed his leg power with a 62-yard subject purpose. He then solidified himself as ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s prime kicker on the NFL mix, the place he hit 13-of-14 subject purpose makes an attempt (93.3%) and completed by making a 60-yarder.
“I would say the one factor that I grasp my hat on is being a scholar of craft,” Loop mentioned. “There are days the place you are not in a groove, and in the event you’re not feeling it, you may at all times fall again in your mechanics to achieve success and make kicks.”
When the Ravens have been deciding on taking a kicker, they may have gone with Florida State’s Ryan Fitzgerald, who led school soccer in subject purpose proportion by making all 13 makes an attempt, or Pittsburgh’s Ben Sauls, who kicked on the Steelers’ dwelling stadium and is aware of about taking part in within the AFC North climate circumstances.
As a substitute, Baltimore went with Loop, who’s seen as having probably the most potential.
“Randy believes in you,” Harbaugh informed Loop on the cellphone after the Ravens drafted him. “He confirmed me the tape. You are going to have an superior profession.”
Editor’s word: A model of this story was initially revealed on Might 2.
