Mink: The undrafted rookie with the best chance at making the 53-man roster, in my opinion, is kicker John Hoyland. It’s a battle between him and sixth-round pick Tyler Loop to replace Justin Tucker in Baltimore, and both rookie kickers have gotten off to a good start.
On Tuesday, Hoyland was 6-for-6 on field goals from 37, 47, 48, 48, 49, and 52 yards. Last Friday, Loop drilled all his kicks “right down the middle,” according to Head Coach John Harbaugh, and hit a 60-yarder “easily.”
Loop should be considered the favorite, as he was the Ravens’ first choice (and first kicker they ever drafted). But Hoyland seems good enough to force Loop to win it, which is exactly what Ravens coaches want to see.
The rookies are building a case that the Ravens don’t need to sign a veteran kicker to add more competition this summer, and it’s a good sign for the future at a critical position.