The Patriots traded up for the first time in this 2023 NFL Draft, moving up from #120 overall to #112 and selecting a kicker with their second pick of the afternoon.
University of Maryland’s Chad Ryland was the player they selected, giving them a potential kicker of the future behind steady veteran, Nick Folk.
Ryland’s a solid player. He finished his final senior season hitting 19-of-23 (82.6%), including a perfect 9-9 from inside 40-yards, and ended the year with his percentage setting the school mark for players with 20+ attempts.
He’s also got a strong leg.