Patriots Select K Chad Ryland After Trade Up: Nick Folk Replacement?

The New England Patriots may have secured the services of their kicker of the future by selecting Maryland’s Chad Ryland in the fourth-round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

FOXBORO — With pick No. 112 in the fourth-round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected kicker Chad Ryland of Maryland. 

The Pats acquired the selection by making a rare intra-divisional trade with the New York Jets in exchange for the Pats picks at No. 120 and 184. 

Per SI’s NFL Draft Bible: Ryland began his college career at Eastern Michigan University. As a freshman, he played in all thirteen games and made all 41 attempted PATs. During his sophomore season, he played in all thirteen games and made 38 PATs. During the shortened 2020 season, he played in all six games and was named to the Second Team All-Mac. As a junior, he played in all thirteen games and made nineteen field goals. He decided to transfer to the University of Maryland prior to the 2022 season, where he played in all twelve games, totaling sixteen field goals made. For his efforts, he earned a selection to the 2022 Second Team All-Big Ten.

Incumbent kicker Nick Folk has been one of the team’s most-reliable point scorers.  making 32 of 37 field goals. However, a handful of uncharacteristic sputters down the stretch have some fans wondering whether the Pats might be in search for a new kicker via the Draft. Ryland’s selection has apparently answered that question. 

New England previously selected Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez in the first round at pick No. 17. The Pats also chose Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White (46 overall) and Sacramento State hybrid linebacker/safety Marte Mapu with their lone third-round (76 overall) selection. New England opened the fourth-round (107 overall) by selecting Troy center Jake Andrews.

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