Anders Carlson, the Green Bay Packers’ kicker, was one of the team’s biggest concerns into the NFL playoffs. After the rookie’s struggles in the Divisional Round, Green Bay should consider replacing Carlson.
Carlson, the 20th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was overdrafted by the Packers. He only hit 68 percent of his field-goal tries in his final two seasons with the Auburn Tigers, but Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia believed he could help him. Instead, Carlson was one of the Packers’ worst starters throughout the season.
Nick Folk, free agent.
Nick Folk is battling Father Time. In his 39th season, the sixth-round choice in the 2007 NFL Draft was the most accurate kicker in the game. It’s hardly a coincidence either. Folk was one of the most accurate kickers in the NFL during stints with the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans over the previous four seasons.
Importantly for the Packers, Folk is also at ease kicking in chilly weather. He accomplished it for the Patriots, and this past season in Tennessee, the veteran converted 20 of 21 outdoor attempts. He’s also solid from a distance, having made at least four kicks from 50 yards or more with an 81.8% success rate for the Titans and Patriots over the last two seasons.
Ka’imi Fairbairn, free agent.
While Green Bay should prioritize kickers who are comfortable in cold weather, overall accuracy is critical. Ka’imi Fairbairn attended UCLA and played seven seasons for the Houston Texans, so kicking in chilly temperatures would be difficult. If the Packers’ coaching staff believes he can do it, Fairbairn is one of the greatest kickers available in NFL free agency.
In 2023, Fairbairn converted 96.4 percent of his field-goal tries and 95.5 percent of his extra-point attempts. It was the second consecutive season that he completed at least 90 percent of his field goals, with an accuracy rating of 94.9 percent on 59 field-goal attempts and 97.8 percent on extra-point attempts.
Will Reichard, Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide are no strangers to kicking issues. That all changed with Will Reichard, a two-time All-SEC kicker who consistently delivered in clutch moments for Nick Saban. The 23-year-old is confident and has experience kicking under pressure.
Not to note that Reichard is also correct. As a freshman at Alabama in 2019, he struggled, making only 57.1 percent of his seven attempts. He then had a little difficult patch in 2021, going 22-of-28 (78.6 percent) as a junior. He rebounded once more, concluding his career as the NCAA’s all-time points leader, converting 86.3 percent of his 51 field-goal attempts in his final two seasons.
Cam Little, Arkansas Razorbacks
In addition to Reichard, the Packers may pursue Arkansas’ Cam Little in the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-2 placekicker was the Razorbacks’ definition of consistency, converting at least 81 percent of his field-goal attempts in three straight seasons. He was at his best as a junior, converting on 4-of-5 efforts from 50 yards or more in 2023, after going 1-for-3 from distance as a freshman in 2021. Green Bay is searching for both leg and accuracy, and Little has a track record that clearly outperforms Carlson’s at Auburn.
