Specialists wanted: Panthers get up-close look at kickers, punters at NFL combine
Tucked away in a corner of a massive auditorium in the heart of Indianapolis stood six specialists who were in town for the biggest job interviews of their lives.
Those interviews, which took place at various times throughout the week at the NFL Scouting Combine, were paused so that these kickers and punters could answer a barrage of questions from journalists who traveled for miles to mostly focus on players at positions like quarterback, running back, defensive end and wide receiver. But the reality of the NFL and its annual roster churn is that teams need specialists, and drafting prospects or signing undrafted free agents is the best way for savvy front offices to save money on the salary cap to tend to other more notable needs.
The Carolina Panthers, who have had the same three specialists for the past three seasons, are part of a special teams churn this offseason. While the squad has re-signed longtime long snapper JJ Jansen, the team’s punter and kicker spots are largely up in the air.
On Tuesday, GM Dan Morgan noted that the team is going to keep its options open with former All-Pro punter Johnny Hekker following a lackluster year. Morgan also said that kicker Eddy Piñeiro will test free agency, and the team would be on the lookout for potential kicker options, even after signing Matthew Wright.
So, with the Panthers looking for specialists to put the “foot” in football, it’s fair to wonder how much attention the kicking and punting prospects have paid attention to Carolina throughout the draft process.
“Obviously, you’ve got the sort of general idea of who (are) the good punters in the league, who’s got contracts left,” Alabama punter James Burnip said. “At the end of the day, I’m just doing my thing, and I go out there and perform. And whoever wants me, I’m happy to go to any city in America.”
“That process is really just be who you are, and enjoy and have fun,” Arizona kicker Tyler Loop said. “Because at any time, like things can shake up and you never know what to expect.”
Miami kicker Andres Borregales, who played for Panthers assistant special teams coach Daren Bates at this year’s Shrine Bowl, reconnected with the assistant at the combine. Of the four kickers in Indianapolis, Borregales appears to be the most Panthers-associated specialist.
He’s also open about his desire to land in Carolina.
“I’d love to play for the Panthers, honestly,” Borregales said with a smile.
While prospects have no control over where they land in the draft, Jansen could be a notable draw for the Panthers in undrafted free agency with specialists. Jansen’s consistency and dependability are rare traits, especially from the standpoint of longevity, in the NFL.
A rookie kicker or punter can truly benefit from having a veteran snapper flinging him the ball.
“I know I’m a rookie, so I don’t know everything,” Pittsburgh kicker Ben Sauls said. “So to go in there with a vet, a veteran snapper or holder — older guys with more wisdom than me — I just want to pick their brains and learn, of course. And then together, obviously, I hope that we can all be in agreement to be the best. That’s my goal. My goal is to crack a spot (on the roster) and be the best.”
As the Panthers and special teams coordinator Tracy Smith sort through their options at kicker and punter, it’s probably reassuring to know that the specialists are locked in as they try to impress all 32 NFL teams.
The specialists aren’t sweating their potential landing spots. They’re only concerned with making the most of a business trip that could ultimately change the trajectory of their lives.
“Things change every single day — and decisions aren’t made right now in February, so to be honest, I don’t know who is going to take (a kicker) — I don’t know who is going to go drafted or undrafted,” Sauls said. “I don’t know that. My agent probably has a better idea than I do, but I keep the main thing the main thing, and right now, I’ve just got to prove myself as myself and hit some balls today.”
This story was originally published February 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
