As we know the browns drafted Cade York in the 4th round of the 2022 NFL draft, taking a shot to get a great kicker. So far, he has not looked like an NFL starting kicker. I would rather have an accurate kicker then a kicker with a big leg. Cade York was drafted because of his big leg and success in college, and they were betting on him having good accuracy in the NFL. What they could have done instead, is sign a top 20 kicker who can make his 40-yard field goals and extra points, even if he can’t make 60-yard field goals. Only bad teams need a great kicker and need to take a risk to get one like this. Good teams like the browns only need top 20 kicker play, and a kicker who can make his 40-yard field goals and extra points. The browns don’t need a kicker who consistently hits 60-yard field goals, so why try to get one, when you can get kickers who are proven to do what you need.

So, what do we do now? Now that the browns have a kicker who has potential for greatness, they won’t let go easily. People are getting mad that the browns have not brought in competition. I think even if they did bring competition, Cade York is a lock to win it, because they invested a 4th round pick into him and have high hopes for him. Bringing in competition would not make a difference.

So when do we give up on him? If Cade Yorks causes us to lose several games missing makeable field goals, then the browns should be prepared to bring in top 20 kicker play. If he does become a great kicker, it still would not be worth the risk. There would be very few occasions where they would need an absolutely amazing kick to win the game. By drafting him, they are stuck with him for a few years because of his potential if he fails. The browns risked being stuck with possibly terrible kicker who can’t make the kicks that really matter, over the small possibility of getting a great kicker, which we don’t need. The problem is we are now stuck with him, because of the possibility he becomes great after we cut him. Even considering that, if he has a terrible year this year, I would cut him. If he miraculously becomes elite after this year after being terrible for 2 years in a row, so what, we don’t need a great kicker. I would rather get someone we know is competent.

In conclusion, the browns shouldn’t have drafted Cade York. If he doesn’t improve this year, the browns should sign a veteran who is a proven top 20 talent.

photo credit: “Mike Priefer” by Erik Drost is licensed under CC BY 2.0