NFL drafts tends to be unpredictable and in the case of Zane Gonzalez that theory was proven true. The former ASU kicker and 2016 Lou Groza Award winner was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 6th pick of the 7th round and 224th pick overall. Gonzalez was the only ASU player to be picked in the 2017 NFL draft.
What is perhaps even more surprising is that the all-time FBS record holder for career field goals, a kicker who also owns five more all-time records, wasn’t selected as the first kicker in the draft. Memphis’ Jake Elliott was drafted in the fifth round by the Cincinnati Bengals. The reasoning for that selection was bizarre to say the least.
Last season Gonzalez capped off a remarkable career with the Sun Devils where was only player in NCAA history to record 20 made field goals in four different seasons, while also setting the FBS record for points by a kicker with 494 points.
Gonzalez is entering a desirable situation in Cleveland as the Browns’ kicker Cody Parkey ranked 25th in field goals among NFL kickers made converting 20-of-25 attempts.