Preseason preview: top-5 Patriots rookie spotlights

K Chad Ryland and P Bryce Baringer

It’s not the first time Belichick drafted a kicker or a punter, but never before in the same draft. The New England Patriots don’t draft either position often, but they had some success with doing so. If Chad Ryland and Bryce Baringer have the career of some of their predecessors, then the Patriots should be thrilled to have them.

Forget about Justin Rohrwasser. Over the years, Belichick drafted punter Jake Bailey and kicker Stephen Gostkowski. Bailey has a Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, while Gostkowski became the Patriots' all-time leader in career points and had four Pro Bowls and two All-Pro selections.

New England had to do something about their special teams, particularly with their kicking and punting. At both positions, the Patriots were really lacking in power. That shouldn’t be a problem for Ryland and Baringer.

Starting with Baringer, his punt average in his final season at Michigan State was 49 yards. That would be good enough for fourth in the NFL last year after Jake Bailey was near the bottom in gross and net average.

Ryland has a history of connecting from deep, including a pair of 50-yarders against Michigan in Ann Arbor. Ryland has room for improvement with his accuracy, but he’s worth developing if he has the leg to kick 50-yarders in Gillette Stadium when the winter winds are swirling.

According to reports, Ryland and Baringer appear to be winning their competitions. Expect them to be tested on Thursday. A solid showing by both of them will go a long way towards securing their jobs and beginning their journey of making some Patriots history of their own.