Punt on punting? Go-for-it trend squeezing out 4th down pros

Washington Football Team's Tress Way warms up before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

FILE - Seattle Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) warms up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Pittsburgh. In this era of increased offensive potency and data-driven decisions, NFL teams are going for it on fourth down far more than they used to. That means the already overlooked position of punter has become even less of an asset on a roster, despite the favorable rules and strong legs around the league capable of consistently producing big kicks. (AP Photo/Justin Berl, File)

FILE - Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera, right, speaks with Washington Football Team punter Tress Way (5) at the team's NFL football training camp practice in Ashburn, Va., Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. In this era of increased offensive potency and data-driven decisions, NFL teams are going for it on fourth down far more than they used to. That means the already overlooked position of punter has become even less of an asset on a roster, despite the favorable rules and strong legs around the league capable of consistently producing big kicks. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

FILE - Dallas Cowboys punter Bryan Anger (5) warms up prior to playing the New York Giants during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. In this era of increased offensive potency and data-driven decisions, NFL teams are going for it on fourth down far more than they used to. That means the already overlooked position of punter has become even less of an asset on a roster, despite the favorable rules and strong legs around the league capable of consistently producing big kicks. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, FILE)