The Chicago Bears got a lot of grief from fans and draft experts when they took Iowa punter Tory Taylor in the 4th round last month. Drafting specialists is always frowned upon by the draft community. Why take a guy who can start immediately and contribute to winning games when you can maybe get the eighth-best pass rusher or fifth-best center, right? The stigma around specialists is weird and outdated. GM Ryan Poles understood this. He felt Taylor, with his outstanding leg strength, accuracy, and experience, could help the Bears get a lot better in an area of weakness.
As to why he took Taylor in the 4th round? It is because he was convinced, based on his information, that there was no way the punter was getting to the 5th. So it was either take him at 122nd overall or let another team get him. Poles went with the former. One person who was thrilled about it was special teams coordinator Richard Hightower. He told CHGO that Taylor is an instant asset to the team. How does he know that? Apparently, because other teams told him that. At least three of them contacted the coach, complaining that the Bears drafted the punter before they could.
That is how you know when you did something right.
Tory Taylor should benefit the Bears in multiple ways.
He averaged over 48 yards per punt last season for Iowa. Trenton Gill never managed better than 46. That may sound minimal, but two extra yards in a game of inches can mean everything. Then there’s the accuracy. Taylor put 162 punts inside the opposing 20-yard line between 2021 and 2022 alone, and last year was his best season. He has only gotten better over time. If that weren’t enough, he is already in his mid-20s. This isn’t some kid entering the land of grown men. He is one himself.
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If Tory Taylor plays at the level most expect him to, the Bears will be a much tougher team to contend with. It isn’t a coincidence that most playoff teams last year had a punter who averaged at least 42 net yards per punt. Gill averaged 38. Taylor should correct that problem immediately. If his accuracy also comes with him, the defense will defend far longer fields, giving them more opportunities to set the offense up with good field position. Punters may not get the glory, but their roles in team success can’t be understated.
