The United Football League (UFL) just concluded Week 6 of its regular season schedule. Arguably no player has proven that he deserves a shot in the NFL quite like Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates. Bates is taking full advantage of his spotlight opportunity, drilling a 60-yard field goal against the Arlington Renegades this past weekend.
JAKE BATES FROM 60 YARDS 😱
— United Football League (@TheUFL) May 5, 2024
This man doesn't miss in Detroit 🎯🎯🎯 @USFLPanthers pic.twitter.com/EsGly29oLM
Bates has showcased tremendous leg strength throughout the early portion of the season. Bates peculiarly only handled kickoffs at Texas State and Arkansas, but has now converted kicks from 64, 62, 60, 55, and 52 yards in the UFL. Consider NFL teams intrigued. We've identified three teams that should sign Bates.
DETROIT LIONS
The majority of Bates' successful kicks have occurred at Ford Field. He went five-for-five against Arlington in Detroit this past weekend. The Lions should consider adding Bates to their offseason roster considering how comfortable he is kicking within the walls of their stadium. Bates looks capable of pushing current kicker Michael Badgley for a 53-man roster spot.
Despite scoring a fifth-ranked 27.1 points per game last season, the Lions struggled in the kicking department. They made a 31st-ranked 19 field goals and only attempted a league-low 21 field goals, including just two from 50 yards or further. Head coach Dan Campbell clearly had little confidence in his unit.
Badgley went four-for-four after replacing Riley Patterson as the starter. Badgley has been a journeyman kicker who has seen multiple stints with six different teams. He shouldn't be assured a roster spot.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Patriots traded long-term starting kicker Nick Folk to the Tennessee Titans last offseason after drafting Chad Ryland in the fourth round. It was a decision that backfired. Ryland struggled mightily as a rookie, converting just 16-of-25 field goal attempts for an extremely lackluster 64% hit rate.
No starting NFL kicker had a lower success rate last season. Drafting Ryland in the fourth round undeniably gave him a longer leash, but the Patriots are a year removed from that decision, one which was made by the previous regime. New decision-maker Eliot Wolf and head coach Jerod Mayo can't risk the Patriots fielding the worst kicking unit (a league-low 16 made field goals in 2023) for a second consecutive season. Improving on special teams needs to be a priority for the rebuilding Patriots. They’ve already brought in Joey Slye, why not Bates too?
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
The Commanders struggled to find kicking consistency last season. They converted the second-lowest amount of field goals. The aforementioned Joey Slye finished the campaign just 19-of-24. Slye was not re-signed by new general manager Adam Peters this offseason.
The Commanders went the veteran route by signing Brandon McManus in March. McManus played for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season after being released by the Denver Broncos. McManus is past his prime, finishing bottom 10 in the league with an 81.1% conversion rate (minimum 20 attempts), the fourth-lowest of his illustrious career. The aging, declining McManus would be pushed by Bates in training camp.
