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Pre-draft position preview: Cowboys can remove kicker from the to-do list, but what about punter?

Dallas may have turned weakness into strength at kicker.

The Cowboys had an active start to free agency, re-signing or acquiring several veteran players while losing some key contributors to other clubs. But work remains before the 2020 team takes shape. This is the first installment of a 10-part series that evaluates the roster entering the April 23-25 draft. Sunday’s focus is on specialists.

It seems safe to remove kicker from the to-do list.

The Cowboys signed Kai Forbath early in free agency upon determining Greg Zuerlein’s asking price was too high. When that price lowered, Zuerlein was signed to a three-year contract, all but assuring Forbath won’t be the club’s kicker next season.

A third kicker, camp leg Tristan Vizcaino, is on the offseason roster for good measure.

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So, Dallas is done here.

Long snapper L.P. Ladouceur, 39, signed a one-year contract that fully guarantees him $750,000.

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No competition has been added yet at punter.

Draft need: 2 out of 10

On the roster

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PositionPlayers
KickerGreg Zuerlein, Kai Forbath, Tristan Vizcaino
PunterChris Jones
Long-snapperL.P. Ladouceur

Position strengths

Dallas may have turned weakness into strength at kicker.

Thirteen games of Brett Maher produced 10 field goal misses in 2019.

Since then, the Cowboys have acquired Forbath, who went 10 for 10 over the final three games, and added Zuerlein, with whom new special teams coordinator John Fassel is extremely familiar.

Fassel was Zuerlein’s coordinator for the first eight seasons of his career with the St. Louis and Los Angeles Rams.

That includes a 2017 campaign in which Zuerlein converted 38 of 40 field goal tries to earn first-team All-Pro distinction.

Zuerlein followed Fassel to Dallas.

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They both made sure of it.

Position weaknesses

FILE - The Cowboys' Chris Jones (6) punts the ball during the first quarter of a game...
FILE - The Cowboys' Chris Jones (6) punts the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019.(Ryan Michalesko / Staff Photographer)

Chris Jones was done no favors.

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The Cowboys should have placed their punter on injured reserve as he dealt with a back injury early in the season and a sports hernia down the stretch. These medical issues led to Jones producing the worst numbers of any NFL punter last year.

He averaged 37.0 net yards and 41.6 gross yards per punt.

Previous career averages were 40.5 and 44.9, respectively.

Given this context, it would be unfair to deride punter as a weakness outright. But the Cowboys almost certainly will add someone this month to compete with Jones. Veteran options are available in free agency. Marquette King just completed an XFL stint and would welcome the opportunity.

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More likely, Fassel will turn to a less-experienced leg.

Punter is an option late in the draft or in the rookie free-agency rush that follows. An undrafted rookie long snapper could be signed, too, to develop behind Ladouceur.

Five draft prospects to watch

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Braden Mann, Texas A&M: Leg strength is not a concern. Last year, 54.3% of his punts traveled at least 50 yards. An injured Jones was at 14% for the Cowboys.

Michael Turk, Arizona State: The Ed Hochuli of punters. He posted 25 reps on the 225-pound bench press at the combine.

Joseph Carlton, South Carolina: Averaged 47.7 yards per punt as senior, but opponents averaged 12.2 yards per return.

Tommy Townsend, Florida: Younger brother of former Raiders draft pick Johnny Townsend. Good athlete who can directionally punt.

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Alex Pechin, Bucknell: Could spark Fassel’s imagination in fake-punt game. Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.69 seconds at combine.

Full series

April 5: Specialists

April 6: Cornerback

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April 7: Safety

April 8: Linebacker

April 9: Defensive line

April 10: Offensive line

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April 11: Running back

April 12: Tight end

April 13: Wide receiver

April 14: Quarterback

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