Oakland Raiders: Midseason grades for the 2018 rookie class

By Brad Weiss | Nov 10, 2018

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 24: Arden Key #99 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after he sacked the quarterback against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 24, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Derek Carr #4 and Johnny Townsend #5 congratulate Matt McCrane #3 of the Oakland Raiders after McCrane kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime against the Cleveland Browns at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Johnny Townsend

The Raiders held two picks in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and spent one of them on the punter position. Prior to the draft, the Raiders released Pro Bowl punter Marquette King, in a surprising move that was one of the bigger stories early on in free agency.

Johnny Townsend has handled the punting duties for the Raiders all season long, and has performed to mixed results. In fact, there are times where he really struggles, and has put the Raiders in some bad situations in terms of their field position.

It remains to be seen whether or not Townsend is the long-term answer at the position, as he has really struggled as a rookie. Sure, there have been times when weather played a factor, but punters have to be able to get the job done no matter what the elements are, and he is just not getting the job done yet.

Grade: D

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