There are a number of names you could throw out there when discussing the Rams’ midseason MVP: Todd Gurley, Aaron Donald, Greg Zuerlein, Jared Goff, Andrew Whitworth. They’re all worthy of consideration, but one player in particular gets a bit overlooked because of the position he plays.

Johnny Hekker has been absolutely outstanding this season, and while he may not be the team’s MVP through seven games, he’s played a huge role in helping them get to 5-2. On the year, he’s punted it just 25 times; he had 98 last season. He’s pinned the opponent inside the 20 on 14 of those punts, while just one has gone into the end zone.

That ratio isn’t as mind-boggling as last year’s 51-to-1 rate, but it’s still one of the best in the NFL, if not the best. Teams hardly ever get good field position after the ball hits his foot, which is a testament to how dominant he’s been.

His play the past two years has earned him some high praise from general manager Les Snead, who argues that Hekker might be the best punter ever.

“Pound for pound, the best value I’ve gotten for any player has been Johnny Hekker,” Snead told the New York Times. “Not just that he’s a starting punter, which would have been a success. He’s a former quarterback who can run some legit fakes – and, oh, by the way, he’s a college free agent who might be the best punter to ever punt in the NFL.”

In 2017, Hekker ranks third in net average (45.5) and tied for 10th in punts downed inside the 20 (14), despite having the second-fewest punts in the league (25). He never allows for any sort of return, either, thanks to his remarkable hang time. On average, teams return his punts 3.7 yards per attempt, which is second-best in the NFL.

By every measure, Hekker is one of the best punters in the NFL. And in perspective historically, he’s tied for second all-time with an average punt of 47 yards. This is exactly why Snead thinks so highly of Hekker, just as everyone else does.

And he’s not just great at kicking footballs. He can sling them, too. Hekker is the best fake-punt artist in the league, completing 8 of 13 career passes for 131 yards and one touchdown. Being a former quarterback, the Rams are extremely confident calling fakes that require him to throw the ball. Just how confident they really are might surprise you, though.

Related Greg Zuerlein named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month

According to the New York Times, special teams coordinator John Fassel said the Rams have called 40 fakes for Hekker, but checked out of them at the line of scrimmage. That’s a remarkably high number.

We should see at least one or two more fakes before the season ends, and you can expect him to convert the majority of the time.