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AFC West positional rankings: Special Teams breakdown

By Grant Tuttle

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 2: Kicker Harrison Butker
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 2: Kicker Harrison Butker /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 10: Kicker Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs kicks a field goal during the game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 10: Kicker Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs kicks a field goal during the game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Yes, Special teams truly matter. In fact, the AFC West is one of the top divisions in regards to the Kickers and Punters within it. Here is how I rank the specialists within the AFC West:

Reminder: This post assumes that every player is healthy and can play.

Kicker

1. Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs

Arguably the second best kicker of last season behind only Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens, Harrison Butker hopes for another big year. However, if the Chiefs are more effective in their red zone offense, he may see a bit of a decline this season. However, Buttkicker.com is a very effective and accurate placekicker.

2016-2017: (13 games)

38/42, 90.5%, 53 Long

Prediction:

35/39, 89.7%, 54 Long

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 14: Brandon McManus #8 of the Denver Broncos kicks a field goal against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 14, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 14: Brandon McManus #8 of the Denver Broncos kicks a field goal against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 14, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos

Despite a bit of a struggle last season, McManus is a good kicker. Kicking in Denver is easier than most places and I look for him to bounce back this year.

2016-2017: (15 games)

24/32, 75%, 53 Long

Prediction:

32/37, 86.4%, 55 Long

SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 20: Kicker Caleb Sturgis #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles goes for an extra point against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 20, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 20: Kicker Caleb Sturgis #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles goes for an extra point against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 20, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

3. Caleb Sturgis, Los Angeles Chargers

This was one of the troubled spots for the Chargers last season. It seems that they have bad luck every season. Last year, the Chargers had a rookie kicker that struggled mightily. As a result, they cut him and signed Travis Coons. He was replaced this off-season by former Eagle, Caleb Sturgis. Sturgis is a capable player and will likely be better than the situation that the Chargers had last season.

2016-2017: (1 game)

3/3, 100%, 50 Long

Prediction:

35/42, 83.3%, 52 Long

OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 03: Giorgio Tavecchio #2 of the Oakland Raiders kicks an extra point against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 3, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 03: Giorgio Tavecchio #2 of the Oakland Raiders kicks an extra point against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 3, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

4. Giorgio Tavecchio, Oakland Raiders

With former Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski missing considerable time, the Raiders brought in Giorgio Tavecchio to replace him. He did an admirable job and will make the start this season.

2016-2017:

16/21 76.2%, 53 Long

Prediction:

28/36, 77.7%, 51 Long

OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 15: Marquette King #7 of the Oakland Raiders punts the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 15, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 15: Marquette King #7 of the Oakland Raiders punts the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 15, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images) /

Punter

1. Marquette King, Denver Broncos

For Marquette King, it has been a weird offseason. Reportedly due to his personality, Jon Gruden decided to part ways with arguably the best punter in the league. Luckily for the Broncos, King decided to sign in Denver. This means that the Travis Kelce/Marquette King rivalry can live on!

ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 05: Dustin Colquitt #2 of the Kansas City Chiefs punts against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quater of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 05: Dustin Colquitt #2 of the Kansas City Chiefs punts against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quater of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2. Dustin Colquitt, Kansas City Chiefs

Colquitt is a great punter and got another extension. The left footer signed for three more years this off-season, locking him on the roster until he is 39 years-old. There is a reason Colquitt has spent his entire career with the Chiefs.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 24: Drew Kaser #8 of the Los Angeles Chargers punts the ball during the first half against the New York Jets in an NFL game at MetLife Stadium on December 24, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 24: Drew Kaser #8 of the Los Angeles Chargers punts the ball during the first half against the New York Jets in an NFL game at MetLife Stadium on December 24, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images) /

3. Drew Kaser, Los Angeles Chargers

Kaser is a very good punter. He averaged 48.1 yards a punt last season, dropping 27 punts within the 20 yard-line. The Chargers hope for similar production in his fourth year in the NFL.

ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Anfernee Jennings #33 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Johnny Townsend #19 of the Florida Gators in the second quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Anfernee Jennings #33 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Johnny Townsend #19 of the Florida Gators in the second quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

4. Johnny Townsend, Oakland Raiders

The Raiders are hoping that the rookie specialist can come in and contribute. However, it is impossible for me to place Townsend over any of the other punters.

What do you think, Addicts? Do you agree with these rankings? Sound off in the comments below!

Check out the complete AFC West positional rankings series:

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