B/R NFL 1000: Top 32 Kickers
Who is the best player in the NFL? Not based on the past 10 years or one game, but over the past year: Who was the best? Good luck answering that one without starting a fight, right?
Well, that's what the NFL 1000 aims to do by scouting, grading and then ranking the best players at each position before putting them in order and breaking ties to come up with the top 1,000 players. No narratives, no fantasy football points, no quarterback rating: This is cold, hard scouting.
You can find rankings for all other positions on our B/R NFL 1000 main page.
The B/R 1000 metric is based heavily on scouting each player and grading the key criteria for each position. The criteria are weighed according to importance for a possible best score of 100.
Potential is not taken into consideration, nor are career accomplishments.
Kickers aren't judged as much on traits, as theirs is a job based largely on results. With that in mind, kickers were evaluated on field-goal accuracy (45 points) and field-goal power (50), plus five points for their value as starters or backups. In that category, we're looking at whether the player is a consistent starter, a spot starter, a top-level backup or simply a backup-only player.
In the case of ties, our team asked, "Which player would I rather have on my team?" and set the rankings accordingly.
Subjective? Yes. But ties are no fun.
Each player was scouted by me and a team of experienced evaluators (Dan Bazal, Cian Fahey, Dan Hope, Marshal Miller, Justis Mosqueda) with these key criteria in mind. The following scouting reports and grades are the work of months of film study from our team.
All statistics from Pro Football Focus. Players' heights, weights and seasons played from NFL.com.
32. Blair Walsh, Minnesota Vikings
1 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 32/45; Field-Goal Power: 41/50; Starter: 4/5
For his first two seasons, Blair Walsh was one of the better kickers in the league. However, he had his worst season in 2014.
Walsh only connected on 74 percent of his kicks, which is not up to par in the NFL anymore. Not having eight indoor home games may have affected Walsh more than the Vikes would have liked to see.
To remain on our list, and in the league, Walsh needs to prove that he can kick in all conditions. Another aspect to Walsh’s game is his strong leg and handling kickoffs. His leg strength led to the team attempting nine field goals of 50-plus yards, of which he made only five, dropping his percentage considerably. On kickoffs, Walsh recorded 48 touchbacks on 76 kickoffs, with an average distance of 68.2 yards.
31. Josh Scobee, Jacksonville Jaguars
2 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 33/45; Field-Goal Power: 41/50; Starter: 4/5
At times in his career, Josh Scobee looked like one of the best kickers in the league. Playing for 11 seasons in the NFL for one team, as a kicker, is not as easy to do as it sounds.
Being reliable from 49 yards and shorter has been the strength to Scobee’s game, only missing three kicks from within that distance in 2014. From 50-plus yards, Scobee does not offer that same reliability. He attempted only six field goals from beyond, making three.
When handling kickoffs, Scobee averaged just 66.1 yards while recording a touchback on 37 of 62 kickoffs. The veteran kicker needs a solid year in 2015 to retain his job as Jacksonville's kicker.
30. Jay Feely, Free Agent
3 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 33/45; Field-Goal Power: 42/50; Starter: 4/5
Entering the 2014 season, Feely was unsigned and looked like he was finished before being picked up late in the season by the Bears. Having only four attempts in 2014 makes it difficult to judge his performance. However, he did make three.
With a career kicking percentage of 82.6 percent, Feely has proved he can make kicks. The veteran does not have the same range he once did and must remain consistent from within 40 yards to find and keep a job.
Feely is not a reliable option to handle kickoffs and lacks the leg strength many teams will be looking for. If he gets work in 2015, his role would be very similar to that of 2014.
29. Caleb Sturgis, Miami Dolphins
4 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 35/45; Field-Goal Power: 41/50; Starter: 3/5
Caleb Sturgis started off the year hot, converting nine of his first 10 field goals. However, Sturgis missed two field goals in his next game and once again showed he struggles with ball height by getting a field goal blocked.
In just two short seasons Sturgis has already seen three of his field goals blocked and it seems to get in his head when it happens.
The Dolphins asked a lot of Sturgis in 2014—37 field-goal attempts with 29 makes—and he didn't deliver a quality percentage.
28. Nick Novak, San Diego Chargers
5 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 37/45; Field-Goal Power: 39/50; Starter: 3/5
In his fourth season with the Chargers, Nick Novak proved accurate from short range and on extra points.
The problem with Novak is leg strength—anything farther than 40 yards drops his accuracy considerably. Novak connected on only 7 of 10 kicks from beyond 40 yards. Coming off two amazing seasons where he made at least 90 percent of his kicks, Novak’s production dipped in 2014, as he made only 84.6 percent.
The most glaring issue with Novak comes in kickoffs. Rated as the league's worst in regards to kickoffs, Novak recorded only 10 touchbacks in 78 attempts, and teams returned an amazing 85.9 percent of his kickoffs.
27. Shayne Graham, Free Agent
6 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 38/45; Field-Goal Power: 37/50; Starter: 4/5
Connecting on 19 of his 22 attempts, Shayne Graham looked good enough for the Saints to re-sign the 37-year-old kicker to a one-year deal, but they apparently had a change of heart as they let him go just three months later.
His willingness to re-sign makes it seem like he still wants to kick in the league, but Graham will most likely have to compete to win a job or look to replace an injured kicker midseason.
Graham showed reliability from short range but does not offer much leg strength and will also not handle most kickoffs. The crafty veteran would be a good pickup for a team with a struggling kicker or a team looking to upgrade later in the season.
26. Phil Dawson, San Francisco 49ers
7 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 35/45; Field-Goal Power: 41/50; Starter: 4/5
Phil Dawson has been kicking in the NFL since the 1999 season. Every season until the last two came with the Browns. The 49ers re-signed Dawson to a two-year deal prior to the 2014 season and he will have to prove his worth in 2015 if the 49ers are to keep him around after that.
Dawson has shown good leg strength for the 49ers, going 6-of-9 from beyond 50 yards. At the tail end of most kicking careers, you won’t see many 50-yard attempts. However, Dawson set his career long in 2013, making a 56-yarder. In 2014, he showed that his range was no fluke by making a 55-yard field goal.
That leg strength did not translate to kickoffs, as Dawson ranked 17th in average distance and recorded only 32 touchbacks on 73 kicks.
25. Mike Nugent, Cincinnati Bengals
8 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 36/45; Field-Goal Power: 41/50; Starter: 3/5
Fantasy owners loved when Mike Nugent started off Week 1 going 5-of-6 for the Bengals. However, he followed up that performance by going 1-of-4 against the Falcons.
After those two games, Nugent had more consistent stats but was still streaky in the kicking game. Going 0-for-2 from beyond 50 yards shows that the team will not use Nugent much from that range and that he is not very successful from there.
The Bengals re-signed Nugent to a two-year deal and will hope the Ohio native can turn it around in 2015 and be a more consistent kicker, as well as kick for some range.
24. Nick Folk, New York Jets
9 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 36/45; Field-Goal Power: 41/50; Starter: 3/5
When kicking from within 39 yards, Nick Folk was very accurate in 2014, making all 20 of his attempts. He has always been consistent in short range but struggles when kicking for distance, going just 12-of-19 from beyond 40 yards.
Kicking field goals and extra points is no concern, as he shows the reliability to consistently make kicks and has enough range to be called on to kick 50-plus yarders. Where Folk struggles is in kickoffs.
Teams returned 66.7 percent of Folk's kickoffs, and he recorded only 21 touchbacks. The Jets have Folk locked up through the 2017 season, but the veteran kicker needs to prove he can be more of a weapon for the Jets and not just a marginal kicker.
23. Cairo Santos, Kansas City Chiefs
10 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 37/45; Field-Goal Power: 39/50; Starter: 4/5
Cairo Santos was consistent but limited in 2014. When kicking from within 39 yards, the rookie out of Tulane was 16-of-17 but struggled kicking from beyond 40 yards, going 8-of-12, showing that he doesn’t offer the leg strength that many other kickers do.
Santos had one of the highest return percentages in the league, at 66.7 percent, and only recorded 26 touchbacks on 81 kickoffs. The young kicker will need to improve his ability to limit returners in 2015.
By replacing the most accurate kicker in team history, Ryan Succop, the Chiefs were able to free up $1.5 million in 2014. The Chiefs will rely on Santos again in 2015 as the young kicker gets the chance to prove that the Chiefs made the right move.
22. Robbie Gould, Chicago Bears
11 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 33/45; Field-Goal Power: 43/50; Starter: 5/5
The Bears signed Robbie Gould to a four-year deal before the 2014 season and saw his production drop off because of a quad injury. While playing in 12 games, Gould attempted only 12 field goals, making nine.
When healthy, Gould has been top-notch at his position, showing good accuracy and range. With a career long of 58 yards, Gould is able to help his team score from almost anywhere on the field, as well as pin opponents deep on kickoffs.
Gould was not as effective when handling kickoffs in 2014, as opponents returned 52.8 percent of them. The Bears will need Gould to recover in 2015 to his old form and be the great kicker that he was prior to the injury.
21. Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers
12 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 36/45; Field-Goal Power: 42/50; Starter: 3/5
Once considered one of the top kickers in the league, Mason Crosby had another solid year for the Packers. It should be known that Crosby kicks in some of the toughest conditions in the league and that many kickers would struggle mightily in Green Bay.
The majority of Crosby’s misses came in Green Bay, after Week 11, in cold, windy conditions. Even when he was able to kick outside of Green Bay, he played on the road in Buffalo and Minnesota.
Within 39 yards, Crosby was lights out, missing only one of his 19 attempts. When kicking 40-plus-yarders, Crosby went just 9-of-14. His 2014 long was 55 yards. He has made 23 field goals of 50-plus yards.
One area of concern is the number of blocked field goals and extra points. Crosby had three field goals blocked in 2014, making that 11 blocked kicks in his eight seasons.
20. Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders
13 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 36/45; Field-Goal Power: 41/45; Starter: 4/5
Having completed an amazing 15th season with the Raiders, Sebastian Janikowski still has one of the strongest legs in the game. Weighing in at 265 pounds sure doesn’t hurt either when he needs to put a little weight behind the ball or drive it downfield.
While Janikowski is known for his strong leg, he has been accurate as well. In 2014, he converted 19 of 22 field goals and also had a 57-yard long. Surprisingly, his leg strength has not translated to kickoffs, averaging only 64.8 yards per kickoff.
With three years remaining on his contract, the Raiders hope they can still get the kind of production they are used to out of Janikowski.
19. Randy Bullock, Houston Texans
14 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 38/45; Field-Goal Power: 40/50; Starter: 3/5
After struggling in 2013, Randy Bullock had a much better season in 2014. He did miss three kicks inside of 40 yards, but he made up for those by converting 10 of 12 from 40 or more yards.
His distance kicking made him a weapon for the Texans. Also handling kickoffs, Bullock averaged 69 yards per kickoff and recorded 41 touchbacks on 86 kickoffs.
18. Steven Hauschka, Seattle Seahawks
15 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 37/45; Field-Goal Power: 40/50; Starter: 5/5
Having one bad game as a kicker can really skew your stats for the season. Steven Hauschka found that out in Week 16 when he missed three field goals against the Cardinals. Outside of that one game, Hauschka was very accurate and reliable for the NFC champs.
While Hauschka has the range for 40-plus-yard kicks, he wasn't as reliable converting them in 2014, going 11-of-14 from beyond. Hauschka averaged 69.6 yards per kickoff and recorded a touchback on 46 of 88 of them.
The Seahawks don’t have too much to worry about when it comes to the kicking game. Hauschka is often one of the best kickers in the league and will look to bounce back in 2015.
17. Dan Bailey, Dallas Cowboys
16 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 38/45; Field-Goal Power: 40/45; Starter: 4/5
In his fourth season out of Oklahoma State, Bailey had career lows in field goals made and attempted and percentage.
While it was his worst year statistically speaking, Bailey was still reliable from within 49 yards, hitting 15 of 16 field goals, and set a career long of 56 yards. Bailey also made five of his seven attempts from beyond 50 yards.
The Cowboys scored often in 2014, tying for fourth in scoring, and Bailey made all 56 of his extra points and pinned opponents deep on kickoffs. He had the fourth-most touchbacks in the league with 52.
16. Ryan Succop, Tennessee Titans
17 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 38/45; Field-Goal Power: 40/50; Starter: 4/5
Longtime Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop joined the Titans in 2014 and provided the team with a reliable kicking option. He made a career-high 86.4 percent of his field goals.
The short game is no problem for Succop, but he struggles when it comes to distance, making only 5 of 8 field goals from 40-49 yards and 2 of 2 from 50-plus. Having five blocked kicks already in his six-year career and not being much of a threat from 40 yards out might start to concern the Titans with a rookie quarterback taking over this season.
When it comes to kickoffs Succop rates in the bottom half of the league. He recorded only 31 touchbacks in 2014.
15. Kai Forbath, Washington
18 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 39/45; Field-Goal Power: 39/50; Starter: 4/5
After missing part of the 2013 season and struggling with kicks getting blocked, Kai Forbath converted only 18 field goals for Washington.
In 2014, Forbath stayed healthy all season and made 24 field goals. From 49 yards or shorter, Forbath has a reliable leg and did not have problems with blocked kicks after having two blocked the year before. Where Forbath struggles is with distance.
His career long is 50 yards, and he is rarely tested beyond that. He also didn't record many touchbacks because of his weak leg. With 18, he totaled the second fewest in the league among qualified kickers.
14. Greg Zuerlein, St. Louis Rams
19 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 35/45; Field-Goal Power: 45/50; Starter: 3/5
Kicking for distance is the strength of Greg Zuerlein’s game. He currently holds the Rams record for longest field goal, 60 yards, and doesn’t look like he will be allowing others to try for it anytime soon.
Being able to kick inside for the Rams is sure to help anyone's accuracy, but Zuerlein has been able to perform while playing on the road, too.
Mid-range field goals seem to be where Zuerlein has struggled the most, as he hit 11 of 14 from 30-49 yards, but he was 5-of-7 on 50-plus-yard kicks. Zuerlein ranked eighth in average kickoff distance and recorded 37 touchbacks in 72 kickoffs.
13. Matt Prater, Detroit Lions
20 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 35/45; Field-Goal Power: 45/50; Starter: 3/5
After missing the first five games of the season, four because of suspension, Prater returned and made 21-of-26 field-goal attempts after replacing Alex Henery.
Re-signing with the Lions was a great move on Prater's part. Not only does he get to kick extra points for the high-powered offense, but he also gets to kick inside at Ford Field.
Prater was streaky and did not seem to have the same leg strength he had while kicking in Denver, but the Lions saw enough to sign Prater to a new three-year deal.
Setting the record for longest field goal in league history, 64 yards, will make sure you’re not out of work long, and Prater wasn’t, signing one week after his suspension was up. While he does hold the record, Prater does not have a powerful leg for kickoffs, as the Lions opted to use Sam Martin over him.
12. Graham Gano, Carolina Panthers
21 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 36/45; Field-Goal Power: 43/50; Starter: 4/5
Graham Gano possibly has the strongest leg in the NFL. Averaging 72.6 yards per kickoff and limiting opponents to returns only 22.8 percent of the time, he single-handedly helped the Panthers win the field position game.
Having a strong leg is only half of what you need to be one of the top kickers in the NFL. Gano's accuracy seems to come and go on field goals, as he was a little streaky from long distance (9-of-12 from 40-49 yards and 1-of-3 from 50-plus).
Having eight blocked kicks in four full seasons is another concern.
11. Patrick Murray, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
22 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 39/45; Field-Goal Power: 40/50; Starter: 4/5
Patrick Murray had a great start to a career, converting 20 of 24 field-goal attempts. He showed not only that he has the leg to consistently make kicks but that he can also make 50-plus-yarders, as he made 5 of 6 from that range.
Despite having one bad game in Cleveland in November, Murray looks like a real weapon for Tampa Bay. If the Buccaneers offense, led by Jameis Winston, can find a way to put Murray in better range, he is sure to rise up the list.
10. Chandler Catanzaro, Arizona Cardinals
23 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 39/45; Field-Goal Power: 40/50; Starter: 4/5
The NFC West isn’t known for its insane weather conditions—two teams play in a dome, and with the San Francisco 49ers moving to Santa Clara, the wind of Candlestick Park is no longer any issue—but rookie Chandler Catanzaro (6’1”, 200 lbs) was impressive nonetheless in his rookie season.
He hit the ground running by making 87.9 percent of his kicks with a long of 51 yards. Catanzaro does need to be more consistent on mid-range kicks (22 of 25 from 30-49 yards) but has the skills to move up his score there.
9. Cody Parkey, Philadelphia Eagles
24 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 39/45; Field-Goal Power: 40/50; Starter: 4/5
Cody Parkey (6’0”, 193 lbs) was new to the NFL in 2014, and he handled himself well by making 88.9 percent of his kicks.
The rookie kicker also showed great range, making a long of 54 yards and showing the leg to push the limits for Chip Kelly’s offense. Parkey must improve his consistency—he missed four kicks shorter than 50 yards—but was very reliable on the extra-long kicks (4 of 4 on 50-plus-yarders).
8. Shaun Suisham, Pittsburgh Steelers
25 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 40/45; Field-Goal Power: 38/50; Starter: 5/5
With three missed field goals on the year, Shaun Suisham (6’0”, 200 lbs, 10 seasons) connected on 90.6 percent of his attempts and notched a long of 53 yards.
Perhaps most impressive was Suisham’s 12-of-12 record on kicks between 40 and 49 yards and that two of his three misses on the year came on attempts longer than 50 yards in windy Heinz Field stadium conditions.
7. Connor Barth, Denver Broncos
26 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 40/45; Field-Goal Power: 41/50; Starter: 5/5
In his sixth season, Connor Barth (5’11”, 200 lbs) notched his career-best field-goal percentage, hitting 93.8 percent of kicks. He made 6 of 7 kicks 40 yards or longer (playoffs included), which is impressive.
Some may penalize Barth for having just 16 attempts on the year, but he nailed 15 of those kicks and gets credit for stepping into a high-pressure kicking situation in Denver.
6. Matt Bryant, Atlanta Falcons
27 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 40/45; Field-Goal Power: 41/50; Starter: 5/5
Matt Bryant (5’9”, 203 lbs, 13 seasons) continues to be one of the best kickers in the game. The former Baylor kicker made more than 90 percent of his field-goal attempts in 2014, nailing 29 of 32 tries and hitting a long of 54 yards.
With the benefit of kicking in a dome for home games and having favorable weather in the NFC South, Bryant’s numbers have to be good, and he didn’t disappoint.
5. Josh Brown, New York Giants
28 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 41/45; Field-Goal Power: 40/50; Starter: 5/5
Josh Brown (6’0”, 202 lbs, 12 seasons) saw his kicking percentage in his second season in New York go from 88.5 to 92.3 percent as he made 24 of 26 kicks. Brown has range, too, connecting on a long of 53 yards while kicking in a stadium known for swirling, crazy winds.
The downside to Brown’s score is that his two misses came on shorter kicks, both inside of 49 yards.
4. Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
29 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 38/45; Field-Goal Power: 44/50; Starter: 5/5
For Justin Tucker (6’1”, 183 lbs, three seasons) the 2014 season was his worst statistically, but he still ranks as a top-tier field-goal kicker.
With 29 of 34 attempts made, Tucker’s numbers are low, but his misses came at distances longer than 50 yards. He was a perfect 28-of-28 (playoffs included) on kicks inside 50 yards, showing that his range when put in favorable situations is great, but that the Ravens pushed his limits at times last year.
3. Dan Carpenter, Buffalo Bills
30 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 40/45; Field-Goal Power: 43/50; Starter: 5/5
By hitting on 34 of 38 attempts in 2014, Dan Carpenter (6’2”, 228 lbs, seven seasons) pushed himself into the top three after coming in ranked at No. 11 last year.
Carpenter’s 89.5 percent success rate is good, but he gets big points here for his long of 58 yards. Carpenter consistently ranks as one of the strongest legs in the NFL.
2. Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots
31 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 42/45; Field-Goal Power: 41/50; Starter: 5/5
We won’t blame you if you haven’t been alive to see a bad kicker in New England. After letting Adam Vinatieri walk, the team drafted Stephen Gostkowski (6’1”, 215 lbs, nine seasons) out of Memphis in the fourth round.
Since coming to New England, Gostkowski has been good, but in 2014 he was nearly automatic, hitting 35 of 37 attempts and connecting on a long of 53 yards.
Even with half of his games coming in the brutal wind of Massachusetts, Gostkowski was rock-solid.
1. Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts
32 of 32
Overall
Field-Goal Accuracy: 43/45; Field-Goal Power: 40/50; Starter: 5/5
A future Hall of Famer, Adam Vinatieri (6’0”, 209 lbs, 19 seasons) continues to be one of the most productive and impactful players in the NFL. Even as he gets close to his 20th year in the league, Vinatieri still kicks with power and accuracy. With just one missed kick last year—he nailed 30 of 31 attempts—Vinatieri has the accuracy and consistency that we wouldn’t blame you if you turned away while he was kicking.
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