The Official Kicker (K) Thread (1 Viewer)

[Chardo1]

What's the history of kickers in games where the key starters are all sitting? Take, for instance, Fairbairn. He's an elite K, but his team is locked in and will rest the stars. Does that lead to more field goals, or a dead game? Any historical data here?

 

[TheWinz]

Please update as changes happen, thanx.

ARI - Chad Ryland - Bounced back very well in 2024 after a disastrous 64% FG rookie season. But hey, kickers selected in the 4th round get second chances, and he made the most of his when Matt Prater went down. Ryland is signed through 2025 at $1.03M, and I couldn't find any other kickers linked to the Cards. Matt Prater was released and is now a FA. 7 March 2025 link - https://cardswire.usatoday.com/stor...son-roster-profile-k-chad-ryland/81903854007/

ATL - Younghoe Koo, Lenny Krieg - Koo was an 89.9% kicker in his first 5 seasons with ATL, but sucked in 2024 (73.5%) and missed the last 3 games with a hip injury. Hence the camp competition. The soon to be 23 year old Krieg is a converted soccer player, but it remains to be seen how strong his leg is. The following 22 May 2025 link suggests ATL may be able to roster both - https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/younghoe-koo-lenny-krieg-kicker-competition-2025

BAL - Tyler Loop, John Hoyland - 2 rookies battling after Tucker was released. Have to give the edge to Loop, who is the first K BAL has ever drafted (6th round). 13 May 2025 link - https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/othe...=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1

BUF - Tyler Bass - Decent (but IMO not great) kicker on a strong offense. BUF's only kicker over the last 5 seasons, since being drafted in 6th round. The Bills attempted to find a camp battle kicker, but looks like the one they wanted (Ryan Fitzgerald) already moved on to CAR. At present, I did not find another kicker linked to the Bills. 28 March 2025 link - https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/news/b...-host-kicker-prospect-coming-off-perfect-2024

CAR - Matthew Wright, Ryan Fitzgerald - Despite being 87.3% lifetime, 29-yr old Wright is still searching for his first full-time gig. Wright has only 11 attempts from 50+, but a long of 59 and has converted 7 of them. If you simply look at Wright's stats, one should wonder why he hasn't already become a starter. UDFA Fitzgerald will be nipping at his heels. 12 May 2025 link - https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6347714/2025/05/12/panthers-ryan-fitzgerald-kicking-competition/

CHI - Cairo Santos, Jonathan Kim - Santos has been awesome since joining CHI 5 years ago (89.3%), and is 78% from 50+. Ironically, it's his weak leg that's being discussed. I think Santos is relatively safe for 2025, unless he pulls a Ray Finkle in training camp. I don't consider kicks as long until they reach 50+. This link, dated 11 May 2025, talks about Kim's long leg, but only in terms of being 11 of 12 from 40+ - https://www.sportsmockery.com/chica...os-has-some-legit-competition-to-worry-about/

CIN - Evan McPherson - McPherson's year 4 was not good and he missed time to boot (pun). He reminds me of Tyler Bass. A drafted kicker with a decent leg, on a strong offense. I know most websites list Cade York still in CIN, but the below link, dated 11 May 2025, says York has been released, leaving McPherson as the lone kicker in CIN. https://atozsports.com/nfl/cincinna...y-recovery-update-bengals-offseason-workouts/

CLE - Dustin Hopkins - Dustin went from his best year in 2023 to his worst year in 2024. He's an average kicker with an average leg, and has no competition as of 5 Jun 2025.

DAL - Brandon Aubrey - He burst onto the scene as a 28 year old rookie in 2023. In the last 2 years, he's been the best kicker, hands down. If you don't believe me, just think about this - His 24 FG's of 50+ yards over the last 2 years are 5 more than any other kicker. Or how about this one... even if you removed all 58 of his FG attempts from 0-49 yards, he'd still have a career % of 88.9, just on kicks from 50+! He has no competition at the moment.

DEN - Wil Lutz - Since joining the Broncos in 2023, Lutz has been excellent, making 90% of his FG's. He's also got a decent leg (one of only 27 K's in history with a FG from 60+), and is signed through the 2025 season. I couldn't find anyone battling with him. This link, dated 19 May 2025, suggests DEN should give Lutz a contract extension - https://predominantlyorange.com/the...players-are-deserving-of-a-contract-extension

DET - Jake Bates - I have to admit, I screwed the pooch here. I assumed a converted soccer player wouldn't make it. Both he and Aubrey proved me wrong. As a rookie, Bates led the NFL in EP's made, and was 90% in FG's. The only negative is that DET goes for it more than most teams. Of the 23 kickers that played all 17 games, he was K17 in FG attempts, despite being the 4th highest scoring team in NFL history (564 points). Still, he finished K5 in his rookie season, and has no camp battles that have made the news.

GB - Brandon McManus, Alex Hale - After fighting off sexual allegation charges, McManus had his best season ever. He missed only 1 FG attempt and was perfect in 30 EP's. Hale was a Packers practice squad player last year, and at best, will likely be that again in 2025. This looks like just another camp battle to be won by the savvy veteran. Link dated 5 March 2025 - https://www.packers.com/news/packers-re-sign-k-brandon-mcmanus

HOU - Ka'imi Fairbairn - Another veteran kicker with no camp competition. He's 75% from 50+, is a member of the 60+ FG team, and has been the Texans kicker for the past 8 seasons. The job is his until he cracks. Fun fact - Fairbairn is the youngest player to connect on 40 FG's of 50+ yards in NFL history. He accomplished the feat before his 31st birthday. This link, dated 12 May 2025, suggests he remain with the team - https://www.si.com/nfl/texans/news/texans-make-intriguing-contract-move-kaimi-fairbairn

IND - Spencer Shrader, Maddux Trujillo - Shrader, a rookie last year who kicked for 3 different teams, is now the favorite for the Colts. He only attempted 5 FG's and 9 EP's, but he was perfect. His long was only from 45, and his longest in college was 54. Trujillo booted one from 64 in college last year, so the camp battle should be a good one. Link dated 8 May 2025 - https://www.indystar.com/story/spor...-spencer-shrader-maddux-trujillo/83501733007/

JAC - Cam Little - A 6th round draft pick last year, he did not disappoint. Sure, the Jaguars struggled, but Little did not. Of the 23 kickers with at least 29 attempts, he was one of only 2 kickers with only 2 misses. He was also one of only 7 kickers with at least 27 EP attempts to be perfect. I found no camp battles, but I did find Cam likes golf - https://www.firstcoastnews.com/arti...cking/77-222b8f10-6011-4d84-81f1-445f4ecda803

KC - Harrison Butker - Since taking over in week 4 of his rookie season (2017), Butker has been one of the best kickers in the game. He has both distance and accuracy, as evidenced by his 88.6% FG and multiple makes from 60+. As I was checking into his numbers, I noticed he's missed time in only 2 seasons, and they were his worst 2 seasons. Coincidence? Anyway, the job is his and here is a link dated 5 May 2025 - https://arrowheadaddict.com/harriso...-justin-tucker-blocked-for-years-01jth37ssbxa

 

[TheWinz]

LV - Daniel Carlson - A 5th rounder who was dumped by MIN after going 1 for 4 in his first 2 games, LV took a chance and he went 16 for 17 in the last 10 games. Since joining the Raiders in 2018, he has been fantastic. Over the last 5 seasons, he's connected on 90.3% of his FG's. He's also a good teammate - https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profo...niel-carlson-a-hefty-price-to-secure-the-no-2

LAC - Cameron Dicker - Dicker currently sits at 91/97 lifetime in FG attempts (93.8%). As soon as he attempts 3 more, he will qualify as the most accurate kicker in NFL history (even if he misses all 3). The AFC West is a Murderer's Row of kickers, and when Dicker makes the list, all 4 from the West will be in the top 15 all time most accurate kickers. Dicker has no competition I could find, and will be one of the first kickers off the board on draft day.

LAR - Joshua Karty - Last year, rookie kickers did well, and Karty was no exception. He was at 85.3% and went 6/7 from 50+. No names appear as camp competition, so it looks like Karty will be battling himself this year. He did miss 4 EP's, so maybe he can bring that number down in 2025. Couldn't find much, but here he is at a youth clinic - https://alamancenews.com/western-alum-l-a-kicker-joshua-karty-returns-for-day-of-football-fun/

MIA - Jason Sanders - Since being drafted by Miami in 2018, Sanders hasn't missed a game. Last year may have been his best, as he became just the 5th kicker to make 12 or more from 50+. I guess no news is good news for kickers, but I did find this link, dated 16 March 2025 that talks about his holder - https://dolphinnation.com/2025/03/1...lder-despite-dolphins-signing-another-punter/

MIN - Will Reichard - At first glance, you'd think Reichard wasn't all that decent last year, but look closer. Yes, he was a mere 80% on FG's, but nearly 37% of his tries came from 50+. Also, he was a perfect 38 of 38 on EP's. He did miss 4 games midseason with a quad injury, and John Parker Romo filled in nicely during his absence. No other names are stirring in MIN, but I have to believe the team wants to find someone to push him in the preseason.

NE - Andres Borregales, John Parker Romo - The Patriots used their 6th round pick on Miami Hurricanes standout Borregales, who was a 4 year starter. He's got plenty of leg, and his senior year was his best, making 18 of 19 FG's while going a perfect 62 for 62 on EP's. This link, dated 22 May 2025, says Borregales is doing well and Romo is not off to a good start - https://detroitjockcity.com/former-lions-kicker-gets-off-disastrous-start-new-team-01jvwa1s8f2r

NO - Blake Grupe, Charlie Smyth - If you thought Jake Elliott was small, he's a giant compared to Grupe. But even at under 160 pounds, he still has enough power to hit from long distance. He's gone 12/17 from 50+, with a long of 57 over his first 2 seasons. He was at 87.1% last year, so I'm sure it's his job to keep. Link dated 23 April 2025 - https://saintswire.usatoday.com/sto...land-kicker-charlie-smyth-saints/83233514007/

NYG - Graham Gano, Jude McAtamney - Leg strength has never been an issue for 38 year old Gano, who has a 63-yarder to his name. But he's missed 16 out of 34 games over the last 2 seasons, and his accuracy has plummeted. He's at 71% over the last 2 seasons, and it's not because all of his tries are from long distance. Link dated 19 May 2025 - https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/big-b...d-without-this-honorable-mention-01jvf5ny1nek

NYJ - Anders Carlson, Caden Davis - Carlson finished as the Jets kicker last year, and it's his job to lose. His rookie season in 2023 was rough, as he led the league with 5 missed EP's, and was released by GB before the start of 2024 (I assume it was his 41 yard miss vs SF in the playoffs). Ironically, the next time he kicked was for the Niners. Link dated 16 May 2025 - https://www.rotowire.com/football/headlines/anders-carlson-news-competing-for-starting-role-598369

PHI - Jake Elliott - The list of kickers to make multiple 60 yarders is very small, and Jake is on it. But what happened last year? He was 28 of 30 from 50 and closer (93.3%), but missed all 6 tries from 51+. That's unacceptable in today's NFL. But maybe his great showing in the SB earned him another year? Entering his 9th year as the Eagles kicker, he has no competition yet, but a sub 80% kicker demands some motivation.

PIT - Chris Boswell, Ben Sauls - Heinz Field is widely recognized as one of the hardest stadiums for kickers, but you wouldn't know that by looking at Boswell's stats. 7 of his 10 seasons have been above 90%, and last year only Aubrey made more from 50+. He led the league with 41 FG's and was K1 in FF. Rookie Sauls was signed after the draft as a goodwill story, because Boswell is firmly entrenched as the starter - https://steelersdepot.com/2025/05/r...d-for-chance-to-work-alongside-chris-boswell/

SF - Jake Moody, Greg Joseph - I doubt the Niners are happy with Moody, after selecting him in the 3rd round 2 years ago. He's disappointed with 50% from 50+ and 58.8% from 40+. Once again, it's a case of draft capital clouding the judgement. Joseph is a journeyman kicker, but his stats are better and provides a warm body to show Moody was a bad draft choice. Until I hear otherwise, I assume Moody is still the favorite. Link dated 19 May 2025 - https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/49ers-announce-signing-of-k-greg-joseph

SEA - Jason Myers - Myers has been a very consistent kicker over his 10 seasons. Fun fact - 40% of his FG attempts last year were from 50+ - that led all starters. He hasn't missed a game since the 2017 season, and the Seahawks seem to be happy with what they have in Myers. He just turned 34, and is currently the team's oldest active player - https://www.profootballnetwork.com/seahawks-oldest-players-top-10-leonard-williams-cooper-kupp/

TB - Chase McLaughlin, Ryan Coe - McLaughlin was the true definition of a journeyman kicker until he found a home in TB 2 seasons ago. Before then he kicked for 6 teams in a 4 year span, making less than 79%. But over his 2 years with the Bucs, he's made nearly 94%, with only 2 misses in each season. Coe is an undrafted rookie who is unlikely to unseat Chase - https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-kicker-ryan-coe-tampa-bay-buccaneers

TEN - Joey Slye - He certainly has a strong leg, and has made it from 61 and 63 in the last 2 years. But other than that, he is average at best. You would think his 81.7% lifetime rate is brought down by the amount of long distance attempts, but that's not the case. 22.8% of his attempts are from 50+, and that's quite normal in today's game. Perhaps that's why he's going on his 6th team in his 7th season. I'm shocked he's played 5 of 6 complete seasons.

WAS - Matt Gay - Was great in LAR for 3 years, got paid big bucks by IND, then struggled from 50+ (50%) last 2 seasons. The Redskins released Zane Gonzalez when Gay came to town, and I did not come across any other kickers related to the team. Link dated 29 April 2025 talks about the recent kicker woes for WAS - https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44918701/commanders-sign-k-matt-gay-1-year-deal-source-confirms

 

[BearsFan4Life]

Like many, I have had Tucker locked in K spot for his career. I have dropped him and was able to pick up Karty and Little. I like the Rams O this year with playing in a dome and like Little's accuracy. Here's to hoping one is the next Tucker (on the field)!

 

[TheWinz]

Jake Moody now saying he has "shifted from a three-step approach to a two-step approach in a bid to exchange distance for more accuracy in 2025".

- First, a kicker changes his style when he sucks. He led the league with 10 missed FG's, and that was in only 14 games played.
- Second, he says he wants more accuracy, so he's going to giving up distance? His long was a mere 53 last year. He doesn't have any extra distance to give up.

Let's face it - the only reason he's still atop a depth chart after starting his career like he has is because SF drafted him in the 3rd round.

 

[TheWinz]

CLE - Dustin Hopkins, Andre Szmyt - Dustin went from his best year in 2023 to his worst year in 2024. He's an average kicker with an average leg, and has competition in the form of 26 year old Szmyt. Szmyt is a 2023 UDFA who led the UFL last year in kicker scoring, was 90% in FG's, and even blasted one from 61 yards. I couldn't find any recent links with any substance, so I'll assume it's Hopkins job to lose, but it wouldn't shock me to hear the backup wins the job.

Update - Link dated 5 Jun 2025 - Andre Szmyt has been waived, so I will edit the list above - https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2025/...gs-back-a-former-player-waives-special-teamer

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Whoever ends up with the 49er job will have some value as a later pick in fantasy. SF offense should be much healthier this year and have what appears to be a very easy schedule.

 

[TheWinz]

Which Teams Need A Kicker & Who’s Still On The Market?

NFL teams treat the kicker position differently than any other spot on the roster. There's no question it's important — if you've ever rooted for a team with a bad kicker, you understand the weekly

nfltraderumors.co

 

[TheWinz]

Link dated 11 Jun 2025 - https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/s...camp-biggest-takeaways-wednesday/84154346007/
Is the rookie Fitzgerald pulling ahead of Wright in Carolina?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Let's face it - the only reason he's still atop a depth chart after starting his career like he has is because SF drafted him in the 3rd round.

Also, they’re reading my posts.