Dustin Hopkins is in his first year kicking for the Cleveland Browns.
The 33-year-old veteran, drafted by Buffalo with the No. 177 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, played for Washington and Los Angeles (Chargers) prior to this season.
The Browns have had big challenges finding a consistent kicker ever since Phil Dawson left.
But Hopkins could be the man.
In six games, Hopkins has attempted and converted seven 50+ yard field goals.
Dustin Hopkins is 7/7 on 50+ yard field goals this season 🎯 pic.twitter.com/eCQ1rllXnC
— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) October 23, 2023
Prior to this, his best year kicking at this distance was 2018 in Washington when he made four out of five.
Phil Dawson is the gold standard by which all Browns kickers are evaluated.
Since Dawson left the team in 2012, no one has come close to his success.
And though it is a small sample size, Hopkins is showing that maybe he can be that guy.
He is already second all-time in Browns franchise history in 50-yard field goals made; in first place is Dawson who had 24 in 13 seasons, and Hopkins has 7 in 6 games.
Dustin Hopkins now has the 2nd most 50+ yard FG’s made in Cleveland Browns history (7), behind only Phil Dawson (24).
He’s played 6 games here…. #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/ZlvGsnmP4c
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) October 23, 2023
He is rewriting the record books with his own achievements.
Hopkins is the first NFL kicker to convert a 50+ field goal in five straight games in a single season.
After making two 54-yard field goals during Cleveland’s win over Indianapolis today, Browns’ K Dustin Hopkins is now the first NFL kicker ever to convert a 50+-yard field goal in five consecutive games during a single season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2023
He was the Week 6 AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Week 6 – Special Teams POTW
AFC – Dustin Hopkins pic.twitter.com/mfzqKXswln
— Kicker Update (@kickerupdate) October 18, 2023
Part Of The New Special Teams Regime Led By Bubba Ventrone
Hopkins is not the only new face on the Browns special team roster.
Bubba Ventrone, a former Browns player who is now the special teams coach, is at the helm.
So far, the results have spoken for themselves.
#Browns Special Teams received a 90.3 PFF rating in yesterday’s win.
That’s the highest rating in team history.
Shoutout Bubba Ventrone and Dustin Hopkins. #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/33m5Gp8uaq
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) October 23, 2023
Give Bubba Ventrone and the Special teams some credit too! FGs from 57, 54, 53 and a blocked FG! pic.twitter.com/3zRXuCPC2P
— Mark Haydu (@haydu_mark) October 22, 2023
Myles Garrett Is Also Special Teams Hero With Week 7 Blocked Field Goal
It is worth mentioning that Myles Garrett also made a huge special teams play by blocking a field goal in Week 7.
He essentially jumped over a Colts defender to get in position with his hands up.
Myles Garrett got UP to block this field goal 😱
(via @Browns) pic.twitter.com/WzPvrM4rfq
— The MMQB (@theMMQB) October 22, 2023
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