When building a successful football team, every position matters—even those that might not get the spotlight. Long snappers play a vital but often overlooked role in ensuring a team’s special teams unit performs flawlessly.
While they don’t appear on highlight reels or score touchdowns, their precision and reliability can be the difference between a game-winning field goal and a blocked kick.
In this article, we’ll explore the role of the long snapper, their history in the NFL, and the key traits scouts look for in college prospects.
Long Snapper History
The role of the long snapper has changed significantly over the decades. In the early years of professional football, long snapping duties often fell to players who also played other positions, such as offensive linemen or linebackers. As the game evolved and special teams became a more specialized unit, the long snapper position emerged as a unique and highly specific role.
By the 1980s and 1990s, most NFL teams had dedicated long snappers. These players were valued for their ability to consistently deliver pinpoint snaps on punts and field goals. Today, the long snapper is a highly specialized position, with every NFL team carrying one on their roster.
Check out this detailed explanation from Bill Belichick regarding the history of long snappers in the NFL.
Do Long Snappers Get Drafted?
Despite the importance of long snappers, they are rarely drafted. Most NFL teams prefer to sign undrafted free agents to fill this role, making the long snapper one of the least-drafted positions in football. However, this doesn’t diminish their value.
Consider this: there are as many long snappers in the NFL as there are kickers and punters. One per team.
This means finding a reliable long snapper is just as crucial as securing a top-notch kicker or punter. The lack of draft attention simply highlights the specificity of the role and the difficulty in differentiating between average and above average talent.
Who was the last long snapper drafted?
The last long snapper drafted into the NFL was Camaron Cheeseman from Michigan, who was selected in the 6th round in 2021 by Washington.
Cheeseman was my top ranked long snapper in the 2021 draft.
Who was the highest drafted long snapper in NFL history?
Zak DeOssie because the highest drafted long snapper in NFL history when he was drafted in the 4th round, 116th overall, by the New York Giants in 2007.
DeOssie went on to have an impressive 13 year career which saw him win 2 Super Bowls and make 2 Pro Bowls. He attended Brown University and was the first player in Brown’s history to be invited to the NFL Combine.
Traits NFL Teams Look For When Scouting Long Snappers
When scouting college long snappers, NFL teams focus on a few critical traits. These qualities ensure a player can meet the demands of the position at the professional level.
1. Snap Speed
A quick, accurate snap is crucial, especially on punts where the defense has little time to rush. Scouts measure snap speed in seconds, looking for times at or below 0.70 seconds.
2. Placement Consistency
Speed is meaningless without accuracy. A snap that hits its target ensures the timing of the play stays intact. Repeated consistency is what separates a great long snapper from an average one. Long snappers want to place the ball directly above where it will be placed, roughly 12-18 inches off the ground to allow for an easy catch.
3. Tackling Ability
Once the snap is delivered, a long snapper must contribute to the coverage unit. This means being a reliable tackler on punt returns, which requires solid fundamentals, discipline, and awareness on the field.
4. Physical and Athletic Traits
Long snappers need to have the right combination of size, strength, and agility. They must be durable enough to handle blocking responsibilities and athletic enough to get downfield quickly on punt coverage.
5. Mental Toughness
The pressure on long snappers is immense. A single bad snap can cost a team the game. Scouts value players who remain calm and focused in high-stress situations, demonstrating the mental fortitude to perform consistently.
Your Source for Long Snapper Scouting
At BNB Football, we recognize the importance of every position on the football field, including long snappers. That’s why we dedicate time each season to scouting the best long snapping prospects in the NFL Draft. Stay tuned for our expert analysis and rankings of the top long snappers each year, because every position counts.
Check out our 2025 long snapper rankings to learn more.
