3 Greg Zuerlein replacements Cowboys could target in NFL Draft

I believe we can all admit the Dallas Cowboys fanbase isn’t all too happy with the performances given by one Greg Zuerlein since his time with the team. Despite many missed kicks, special teams coordinator John Fassel continued to back his long-time kicker. Recently, the Cowboys made a move to sign kicker Chris Naggar and bring him in as the competition for the hot and cold Zuerlein showing that the front office may not feel the same way as Fassel.

However, Naggar is far from a top kicker in the league. He has played one single NFL game. Because of that, it may be in the Cowboys’ interest to continue looking for kickers who could possibly replace “Greg the Leg.”

Recently, some teams have used draft picks on kickers, and it has actually paid off for them. One such example is the Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson. Cincy drafted him in the 2021 NFL Draft and he was quite possibly the most clutch kicker in the regular season. In the playoffs, McPherson made 42 of 47 field-goal attempts, 12 of which were 50+ plus yards. He also made 52 of his 54 extra-point attempts on the season.

Since the Cowboys became a franchise, America’s Team has only drafted nine kickers with David Buehler being the last taken in 2009. Even though Buehler didn’t work out, maybe it’s time for some new blood at the position.

Here are 3 collegiate kickers the Cowboys could consider taking in the 2022 NFL Draft

1. Gabe Brkic – Oklahoma

Height: 6’3  Weight: 201lbs

Career Stats: 159/160 extra points made (99.4%), 57/69 field goals made (82.6%), 57-yard career long

If the Cowboys are looking for the biggest leg in the kicker room in this year’s draft then Gabe Brkic is your man. The kicker set the Sooner record with a 57-yard field goal. Aside from that feat, he also posted a video of himself making a 72-yard field goal, which shows a huge amount of power and accuracy, even if it wasn’t in a game.

We’ve seen how the Cowboys coaching staff likes to take chances attempting a lot of 50+ yard field goals with Zuerlein this season. Why not bring in a fresh leg who isn’t dealing with back issues and has proven he can get the job done?

Fassel likes to have a big leg at kicker and this is the biggest of the bunch with there really being only three draft-worthy kickers in this collegiate class. The Cowboys would need to use a pick to get Brkic on this team, and it would be a pick well spent.