NFL Draft 2017 Poll: Grade the Bengals’ selection of kicker Jake Elliott in Round 5

The Bengals have finally drafted a kicker.

It came early in Round 5 when they took Jake Elliott of the Memphis Tigers. The selection came as a bit of a surprise since most draft gurus had Zane Gonzalez rated as the top kicker in this draft, but the Bengals felt Elliott was superior.

In his freshman year (2013), Elliott was the only FBS kicker to attempt three or more field goals of 50-plus yards and convert every attempt (50, 52, 56 yards). He was also 7-for-8 on 40-plus yard field goals (.875).

Elliott never missed an extra point or any kick under 30 yards in his college career. That has to be music to the ears of Bengals fans after watching Mike Nugent miss those kicks on a regular basis last season.

During Elliott’s career, 63 percent (210-of-330) of his kickoffs went for touchbacks. Over the course of his four-year college career, Elliott became the school's all-time leading scorer as well as setting records for field goals made in total and from 50 yards away or more.

This is the same school that produced New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski, who has had a productive pro career. Let’s hope Elliott solves the Bengals’ problems at kicker this year and beyond.

Elliott will now challenge Randy Bullock for the starting kicker job this season. Because the Bengals spent a fifth-round selection on Elliott, he’ll have to be pretty bad this year to lose this competition to Bullock, who blew his shot last season.