Oakland Raiders: Midseason grades for the 2018 rookie class
By Brad Weiss
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.