Cowboys signing recently-waived Buccaneers kicker would be a huge mistake

Linebacker is considered a potential area of need for the Dallas Cowboys following the season-ending injury to DeMarvion Overshown, but kicker is arguably the bigger concern among fans for obvious reasons.

It's really as simple as Brandon Aubrey has zero NFL experience. The Cowboys showed their conviction in the former USFL star when they cut Tristan Vizcaino, but that was equally a testament to Vizcaino's poor training camp.

Heading into the preseason finale, Aubrey is the only kicker on the roster. Though Aubrey has redeemed himself with a solid preseason and strong close to camp, fans still want the team to add a veteran for competition purposes.

Robbie Gould, Mason Crosby and Randy Bullock have been mentioned as targets.

Neither kicker really moves the needle, but they inspire a lot more confidence than Rodrigo Blankenship, who was waived by the Buccaneers this week.

The Cowboys should not sign Rodrigo Blankenship to compete with Brandon Aubrey.

Unless the Cowboys have completely altered course in what they desire at kicker, signing Blankenship would make little sense. He's simply nowhere near accurate enough to tolerate his lack of leg strength.

In two-plus years with the Colts, Blankenship made 83.3% of his field goals. He missed a 33-yarder against the Bills in the playoffs as a rookie and finished an uninspiring 1-of-4 beyond 50 yards and 15-of-19 (78%) between 40-49 yards over 22 games with the franchise.

The fact Blankenship only attempted four kicks of 50 yards or longer tells you all you need to know about his leg strength, or lack thereof.

Say what you will about Brett Maher's playoff yips, but his range was a valuable weapon for the Cowboys offense last year.

In 2022 alone, Maher was 9-of-11 on field goals of at least 50 yards and 6-of-7 in the 40-49-yard range. His four makes of field goals from 60 yards or more are the most in NFL history. No other kicker has more than two.

This isn't to say leg strength is the be-all-end-all for making it as an NFL kicker, but it's notable Blankenship can't be trusted from 45 yards. As accurate as he might be in the intermediate range, isn't that the lowest possible bar?

It's the same reason Dallas should be wary of Robbie Gould. The only thing is Gould is a proven playoff performer.

Since Vizcaino was waived in the first week of August, Aubrey is 43-of-49 between practice and preseason, per ESPN's Todd Archer, all the while flashing some leg strength in training camp. He's also a perfect 8-for-8 on touchbacks in preseason.

That's not to say Aubrey is the undoubted solution at kicker, but the gap between him and Blankenship is non-existent.

After a solid first year in Indy, a hip injury cost Blankenship all but five games in 2021 and he was cut one game into 2022 after a poor season debut against the Texans. He was unable to sick in Arizona or Tampa Bay and looks to join his fourth team in as many seasons.

That better not be the Cowboys.

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