Packers Select P JK Scott in 2018 NFL Draft, Fifth Round

With the 172nd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers chose to address special teams and added Alabama punter JK Scott. It was the second of three fifth-round picks for Green Bay. 

Measureables/Combine: 

6-6 208 pounds, 4.83 40, 114" broad jump, 7.28 3-cone drill, 4.41 20-yard shuttle

Scouting Report CBS Sports: Big leg and equally as effective with distance kicks as he is with directional punts. Should play for a long time in the NFL. 

cbssports.com scouting profile

Scouting Report NFL.com: Four-year punter who is able to work for distance, hang time or placement whenever he needs. He's been a consistent performer who operates well under pressure and possesses soft hands to handle poor snaps. He has the talent and traits to become a long-time NFL starter.

NFL.com draft profile

Commentary:

Anytime you use a draft pick on a kicker or a punter, it can open some eyes. But with eight draft picks on Day 3 of the 2018 NFL draft, the Packers obviously felt they could take a chance on a guy with needs filled elsewhere.

More importantly, like they have done throughout the draft, the Packers got tremendous value. NFL.com had Scott projected as a third or fourth-round pick. He also adds versatility thanks to his experience with kickoffs. 

Green Bay wants to get better on defense, but its special teams could also stand to improve. Scott will be the odds-on favorite to be the starting punter next season and with his ability to change field position and pin opponents inside the 20, he could definitely be a weapon and ultimately a steal in the fifth round. 

 

 

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Chris is a sports journalist from Montana and has been blogging about the Packers since 2011. Chris has been a staff writer for CheeseheadTV since 2017 and looks forward to the day when Aaron Rodgers wins his second Super Bowl. Follow him @thepackersguru

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Comments (46)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Point-Packer's picture

April 28, 2018 at 02:37 pm

Well, I guess the recent opinion that the Packers had "quietly locked down the punter position" with Vogel was complete and utter BS.

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Zapato's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:05 pm

The competition could make both punters better. Whoever wins the battle in training camp/preseason is going to be a really good punter.

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worztik's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:09 pm

It’s his job to lose now....

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Point-Packer's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:11 pm

So you're drafting a punter at #172 solely to provide competition at the position? No, and if so, that's a major waste of a mid to late round pick. You can easily find an UDFA to force competition at that punter position. You don't draft a punter/kicker at #172 unless you are pretty sure they are going to both be a starter and for the long-term.

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John Kirk's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:20 pm

This competition justification is one of the most bizarre rationalizations I've ever read. It's actually quite sad.

Vogel is going to punt BETTER because we drafted JK Scott? Great Scott, and good heavens...NO.

Mike Sherman thinks he should've been drafted a whole round sooner.

I had to read the comments here because it's inherent in a lot of you to spin craziness into complete sense.

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Point-Packer's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:32 pm

I couldn't agree more. "I'm an NFL punter so I'm just going to mail it in cause I don't have any competition at training camp." Ok.

Ah yes, only Uno-nut himself. Great pick from an awful GM.

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TKWorldWide's picture

April 29, 2018 at 07:50 pm

I hope this punter is really, really good at punting.

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Fire_Gute's picture

April 28, 2018 at 02:35 pm

I don't understand this. At all. I'd rather see any possible prospect at any position of need.

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dblbogey's picture

April 28, 2018 at 02:44 pm

Because no team needs a better than average punter?

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4thand1's picture

April 28, 2018 at 02:37 pm

WTF??????? Hope this is Ray Guy 2.0

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dblbogey's picture

April 28, 2018 at 02:45 pm

Ray Guy was a 1st round pick. This is the best punter in the draft, 5th round. Some people just love to whine.

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worztik's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:03 pm

Check some video of his punts!!! He can “routinely” kick the sucker 60 yards and he can kick directionally, which, in a field position game, he can take over... I’m not sure what else we can do without creating log jams at positions, however, the question remains: Are kickers really football players??? I say they’re important to the overall scheme of special teams, but, maybe we should make all kickers wear Chartreuse pants and yellow shirts... just sayin’... ok 4th???

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4thand1's picture

April 29, 2018 at 10:09 am

Yes kickers are football players I guess. It's called a "football" not a throwball, catchball, bouncieball, handball.

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Lphill's picture

April 28, 2018 at 02:38 pm

He punts 70 yards no problem .

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Tom Brunhart's picture

April 28, 2018 at 02:41 pm

Well Vogel could be some good trade bait. I thought the guy was awesome. There are guys I thought were available out there that are plain nasty and can play ball.... just saying!

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

April 28, 2018 at 02:59 pm

When was the last time someone traded for a punter?

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worztik's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:05 pm

We’ll be the first! Maybe we can get a #3 in next year’s draft???

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Coldworld's picture

April 28, 2018 at 02:56 pm

Just a wild card, but this guy did nail a 48 yard field goal and take kick offs. Competition for both kickers? Doubt it but ...

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:00 pm

Nothing wrong with having an emergency place kicker who can at least hit NFL extra points.

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4thand1's picture

April 29, 2018 at 11:58 pm

This is true jj.

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Ken's picture

April 28, 2018 at 02:59 pm

He is from the south. Last I saw, there is no frozen tundra down there. Can he handle the ball and kick in snow, freezing conditions, etc. 70 yard kicks in the south equates to a lot less in winter in the frozen tundra. I guess Gute had to use his draft picks.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:00 pm

There is in Colorado.

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worztik's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:08 pm

Ken... you worry too much!!! A kicker, especially a long ball dude, should be the least of our worries...

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Fountaintown's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:16 pm

Vogel was from Florida, so your point is moot

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MITM's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:33 pm

Hes from wisconsin.

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jms's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:17 pm

In my opinion, Scott has not been brought in to compete for a job. With this said, I thought Vogel showed steady improvement as the year went on.
I have not read any negatives about Vogel and that his job is in jeopardy.
I haven’t read any criticism from the organization.
Why draft Scott?
Thoughts?

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Coldworld's picture

April 29, 2018 at 07:33 am

Perhaps it was the regular muff punt Vogel tended to have? More likely, this guy was just rated much higher than anybody else—seems to be the consensus. If he is better I am all in. If one can improve the team then do so: special teams are no different.

After initial bafflement, I am glad we have finally started taking special teams seriously. Now I expect a dividend! I also am pretty happy with our late round haul overall, so I fail to see that this cost us a key cog.

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Oppy's picture

May 01, 2018 at 04:11 pm

Supposed to be a "special" punter. I don't know. I don't have a subscription to 'College Punter Weekly', but he's supposed to be a unique talent on some level when it comes to drop kicking footballs.

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Fountaintown's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:19 pm

So many people fly off the handle after Evey pick.....here's some advice..take a breath....do some research...read some draft profiles, watch some tape.......THEN FORM A DAMN OPINION

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Slim11's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:35 pm

Good punter or not, the concern here is valid.

I suspect the team’s concern is partially based upon Janis signing with Cleveland. Vogel’s net average was based upon, IMO(!), Janis’ ability as a gunner. How many other teams had a gunner who could get jammed at the LOS, beat that jam and still get in the returner’s face about the same time a Vogel punt was caught?

If Ron Zook says this, Gutekunst addressed his concern appropriately. I have no doubt Zook wanted to keep Janis as an important ST player.

If this is a case of BPA, really? Considering the concerns at RG and RT, drafting a punter in the fifth round doesn’t pass the smell test.

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Community Guy's picture

April 28, 2018 at 07:42 pm

honestly, my reaction to this pick was that the Packers were finished with the draft.. they just kind of mailed it in.. not because i have doubts about Scott, but, with GB's Aaron Rodgers-led offense, we just don't punt that often. And Vogel + Janis was a really good pairing.

i guess if the guy can do kickoffs and field goals too, maybe the Packers will eventually drop Crosby and save a roster spot?? if that is the case, then Scott is definitely a great pick up.

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Coldworld's picture

April 29, 2018 at 07:40 am

BPA and need seem confused in your statement. It seems yes to BPA by scouts assessment as well as pundits.

Perhaps the team is more sanguine about depth or health at guard/tackle. Even if not, they obviously didn’t believe that there was an equivalent G/T available at the time and so one can argue picking one there would have been the definition of reach.

All I care about is the net improvement in team performance. From what I’ve read, this guy is tipped to be capable of a significant upgrade. Let’s see if that pans out, but certainly worth a shot.

If he does, take Crosby off kickoffs and boot it through the end zone, at least till we have a proven gunner.

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Slim11's picture

April 29, 2018 at 09:12 am

If he takes Crosby off kickoffs, then Crosby’s career is extended. The fall off is Crosby has one of the best onside kickoffs in the league today. Hopefully Crosby can teach the rookie how to perform that kick.

I was a kicker and punter in high school and one year of college (D3). By any definition, I was not the best player. But I was very good at kicking and punting. Thus, I have a hard time believing the BPA argument.

All that said, time will tell and I look forward to seeing how it plays out.

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MITM's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:36 pm

Mayock called this guy a weapon and a field flipper. We needed to get better on defense. Part of having a good defense is winning the field position battle. They showed this kid punt it from his own 30 to inside the 5! I look at this as an improvement defensively. Vogel was good but this kid is Pro Bowl punting material who is going to make it a longer distance to travel for opposing offenses and that in turn helps our defense.

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Lphill's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:38 pm

He and his family are life long Packers fans .

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:54 pm

I love this pick. Scott is a stud. It is his job to lose.

Wow, I think I've loved several picks in a row for me. [Except Madison Cole - I barely ever heard of him.]

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flackcatcher's picture

April 28, 2018 at 04:31 pm

Cole is a very good athlete big man or not. Excellent hand eye and foot movement. Big man can dance. On paper this is turning out to be an outstanding draft. In any other draft, Scott would be a third rounder, field tilter. Well have to wait for OTA, but Packers have pick up every need so far. Is it possible that this draft is really that deep?

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Coldworld's picture

April 29, 2018 at 07:42 am

I agree. Looks like a guy we can add strength to but who brings excellent pass protection skills and feet from the get go. Not too many of them.

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TC026's picture

April 28, 2018 at 03:57 pm

The punt is the single most valuable (important) play in a football game, period...

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HankScorpio's picture

April 28, 2018 at 05:18 pm

Oh boy. Gute drafts a punter and a long snapper in the same draft. Cue the mass hysteria...

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Community Guy's picture

April 28, 2018 at 07:48 pm

apparently there was no shared concern at 1265 Lombardi for improving the pass rush in this draft. concentrating on special teams when the team has not addressed pass rush seems like messed-up priorities.

and, were all the previously communicated concerns over OT a smoke screen?

confused Packer fan

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Coldworld's picture

April 29, 2018 at 07:47 am

Is the potential pass rush we have rated more highly by the Packers. It seems so. We have Beigel and Gilbert and a raw physical phenom from our last pick.

In addition, Pettine has tended to blitz with different personnel. Perhaps not as OLB focused? Since Pettine’wants arguably shaped this draft on days one and 2, it seems to me the omission of rushers is likely more indicative of him not seeing it as a priority.

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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

April 28, 2018 at 07:51 pm

At 6'6" and 208, we must have the biggest punter in the league. You can't spell "Just make it to Kanton" without JK.

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BamaPackFan's picture

April 29, 2018 at 12:16 pm

From Bama Online: As a senior in 2017, Scott had only five punts returned for 36 yards with two of the five returns resulting in no gain. He dropped 27 of his 54 punts inside the 20-yard line with only four touchbacks and forced 27 fair catches for a 50.0 fair-catch percentage. Scott also added the first made field goal of his career, a 48-yarder, and converted on 8-of-8 extra points. I saw 'em all, the guy is for real.

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4thand1's picture

April 30, 2018 at 12:09 am

From checking this out, it looks like a solid pick. Everyone says the percentage of picks making the team are low in these later rounds, but this guy should have no problem. It'll be nice to have a ST's position with no worries, and can place kick. Maybe we can get him here to punt JK off of the site.

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Pack88's picture

May 01, 2018 at 03:40 pm

Think Craig Hentrich with this guy. GB never replaced him and boy was he great during his GB tenure!!

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