Dustin Hopkins Named NFC Special Teams Player Of The Month
Dustin Hopkins was the best kicker in the NFC in the month of September. Does this mean he is becoming an elite kicker?
The Washington Redskins recently learned that one of their players had received a Player of the Month Award for September. Placekicker Dustin Hopkins was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month, per Mike Jones of the Washington Post. As a result, Hopkins becomes the first Redskins player to ever win the award.
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Hopkins had a superb month to start the 2016 NFL season. Through three games to start the season, Hopkins has converted on all 11 of the field goals he has attempted. His longest is a 49 yard boot. In last Sunday’s win over the Giants, Hopkins made five field goals including a game winner to lead the team to victory. That also resulted in him being named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Though the award does not really mean much, it is symbolic of one thing for the Redskins. They appear to have found their kicker. After years of struggling to find a consistent kicker, it looks like they finally have one in Hopkins. Everything seems to be clicking for the former sixth round draft pick, and if he can continue to perform well, then he could develop into one of the better kickers in the league.
Of course, Hopkins’ numbers could be a little skewed right now. Eight of his field goals have come from 39 yards or less and he has yet to attempt a 50 yarder. He has the leg to convert on a 50 plus yarder, but he has not yet proven that he can do so consistently. In four attempts last year, Hopkins only made two field goals from past the 50.
Still, it looks like Hopkins is still improving, and that will be huge for the Redskins. The 26-year-old kicker could be at the beginning of his prime, and he could possibly be a productive member of the team for the next decade. All he needs to do is keep improving, and the award he received my help him to boost his confidence and do that.
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