Browns New Kicker Passed A Cleveland Legend In Victory Over Jaguars
At the end of training camp in August, Cleveland made a necessary move at the kicker position. General manage Andrew Berry decided it was time to move on from former fourth-round draft pick, Cade York and sent a seventh-round pick to the Chargers for veteran Dustin Hopkins.
Browns fans largely celebrated the move, hoping for some consistency at the position, what they received was that and then some, as Hopkins as become a legitimate weapon and one of the most valuable members of the team.
Dec 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns place kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) kicks a 55-yard field goal while punter Corey Bojorquez (13) holds the ball during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
© Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
On the season, Hopkins is a career-best 31-for-34, making at a 91-percent clip. He is a perfect 13-for-13 on kicks under 40 yards, 10-for-13 on kicks 40 to 49 yards, and now, eight-for-eight on kicks of 50 plus, including the three longest field goals of his career from distances of 55 yards twice, and 58 yards, respectively.
In Sunday win over the Jaguars Hopkins strolled out onto the field after the Browns' offense got him within that range and he nailed his second 55-yard attempt of the season. There have been numerous times where great kickers wilt badly in December weather at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Sunday was a different story for Hopkins.
Hopkins stepped into his kick and drilled a ball that hooking right at first, then looped inside the uprights and sent a roar through Browns' Stadium. That kick put Hopkins' 2023 season at the top of the charts in Browns' history.
In just his first season with the Browns Hopkins now has more made field goals than the legend himself, Phil Dawson. That's elite company for Hopkins to join, given Dawson's status among Cleveland lore. With his eighth 50-plus yard field goal, also passed Dawson for the most kicks made from that distance in a single season. For Dawson, his 2011 season featured seven made from 50 yards or more.
Having a consistent weapon like Hopkins is a huge reason why the Browns are firmly in the playoff chase. You can make the case that he's single-handedly won the Browns five games this season. His 113 points scored is second most in the NFL, and he's currently on pace to top his previous high of 138 points scored in a single season, which came during his second year in the NFL with Washington.
That's why you trade for a kicker.
