With the 99th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Jake Moody, the kicker from Michigan. Most fans loved the player but not the selection. Should it matter where a player gets selected if you get "The Guy"?
During Moody's five-year stint at the University of Michigan, he was a career 100% (148-148) kicker on PATS (points after touchdowns), an 82.1% (69-84) field goal kicker, and scored 355 points (including bowl games), placing Moody number 11 on the Big Ten's all-time scoring list.
Moody finished first in the Big Ten and the NCAA with 29 field goals made in 2022 and first in field goal attempts (35). Although Moody never missed a PAT, in 2022, he finished second in attempts and extra points made (60). Moody placed ninth in the NCAA in attempts and extra points made.
It may be safe to say that Moody was The Guy after his private workout with the 49ers. To most fans, drafting a kicker is a terrible choice, especially in the third round. Even head Coach Kyle Shanahan stated during the presser that most of his friends made fun of him for the decision.
General manager John Lynch was convicted the moment he heard Moody's story. Jake Moody earned the kicker spot at Michigan after a rigorous competition between him and a big-time recruit.
"It was pretty intense, and the kid was nails and really kind of fought through that to win the job over a guy who was a really big recruit and all that, so they really speak of him glowingly there," Lynch said.
The key theme that has been going around this off-season is competition. The 49ers want players to compete at every position on their roster, even kicker. If Moody won the job at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh, expect him to win the job in San Francisco under Kyle Shanahan.
Losing Robbie Gould, the fourth-leading scorer all-time for the 49ers (704 points), and replacing him with the second-leading scorer from Michigan is a no-brainer. Jake Moody, kicker, at pick 99, was The Guy.