New England Patriots selects Bryce Baringer in 6th round of 2023 NFL Draft

nfl-team-selects-bryce-baringer-in-xxx-round-of-2023-nfl-draft — UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - NOVEMBER 26: Michigan State Spartans Punter Bryce Baringer (99) punts the ball during the first half of the college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and Penn State Nittany Lions on November 26,2022, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

Quality special teams contributors are often one of the things that is overlooked come draft time. But the New England Patriots have just invested in their special teams by drafting Michigan State punter Bryce Baringer with the No. 192 overall pick in the 6th round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Baringer had a long journey at Michigan State just to have a chance to get to the next level. The Waterford, MI, native tried out for the Spartans multiple times and failed to make the team. It wasn’t until 2018 that he would make Michigan State’s roster as a walk-on. The following season, Baringer would lose his walk-on roster spot and sit out the season. He would return to the team in 2020 and become a scholarship player in 2021.

In his last season at Michigan State, Baringer lead the nation with 49 yards per punt, showing he has the power to play at the next level. He forced 12 fair catches, 22 inside the 20 against, and just four touchbacks. That earned Baringer Big Ten Punter of the Year honors and was named a first-team AP All-American.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Baringer

According to the draft analyst Lance Zierlein at NFL.com, Baringer ranks as the best punter prospect in this year’s draft, with a grade of 5.90; just ahead of Adam Korsak from Rutgers and Oklahoma punter Michael Turk, who both have draft grades of 5.80. Here’s how Zierlein views Baringer heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.

“Power punter able to flip the field with his great, big leg. He’s currently more like a power pitcher who can hit a high number on the radar gun but is unable to control where it goes. He has the talent to kick on the next level but might need to dial it back and kick with better hang-time and short-field touch to truly impress NFL teams,” according to Zierlein.

As far as Baringer’s strengths go, Zierlein has them listed as follows: Led the nation in both gross and net punting yards; Banged a punt of 60-plus yards in eight of 12 games last season; Gets the punt off with adequate operation time; Handles directional punting with decent success; Athletic ability to rescue poor snaps.

As for the things he needs to work on: Below-average hang time; Outkicks coverage and allows returners to get a shot; Saw two punts returned for touchdowns in 2020; Lacks accuracy and consistency near the end zone.