Both Brandon Aubrey and Jake Moody had impactful rookie seasons as kickers in the NFL, showcasing distinct strengths and areas for development. A comparison highlights their performance across key kicking metrics.
Field Goal Accuracy & Consistency
Brandon Aubrey (Dallas Cowboys): Aubrey delivered an exceptionally accurate rookie season, notably setting an NFL record for the most consecutive field goals made to start a career. His consistency was a standout trait.
- Displayed remarkable reliability throughout the regular season.
- Proved highly proficient on long-distance field goals, including those beyond 50 yards.
- Maintained strong performance under pressure for the majority of his first year.
Jake Moody (San Francisco 49ers): Moody also had a statistically strong rookie year in terms of overall field goal percentage. However, he experienced a few high-profile misses in critical moments, which drew significant attention.
- Was generally dependable, particularly on extra points and shorter to mid-range field goals.
- Possesses the leg for long-range attempts but showed slightly less consistency on these compared to Aubrey during their rookie campaigns.
- His performance in clutch situations had moments of both success and notable misses.
Leg Strength & Kickoffs
Both kickers possess NFL-caliber leg strength, essential for both long field goals and effective kickoffs.
Brandon Aubrey: Demonstrated a powerful leg, not only for field goals but also in generating a high touchback percentage on kickoffs, frequently pinning opponents deep.
Jake Moody: Has considerable leg strength, allowing him to attempt and convert field goals from extended ranges. His kickoffs were also a strong suit, contributing positively to the 49ers’ field position battles with a good touchback rate.
Overall Rookie Impact & Outlook
Brandon Aubrey: Emerged as one of the league’s most reliable kickers in his first year. His background as a former soccer player translated into immediate and record-breaking success in field goal kicking. His primary challenge will be to maintain this elite level of consistency.
Jake Moody: As a third-round draft pick, Moody entered the league with high expectations. He showcased the raw talent and leg strength anticipated from his draft position. While his overall numbers were good, improving consistency in high-pressure moments will be a key focus for his development.
In summary, Aubrey’s rookie season was characterized by extraordinary accuracy and consistency, setting a very high bar. Moody demonstrated strong potential and good overall performance, with room to grow in terms of reliability in the most crucial game situations. Both are valuable assets to their respective teams.
