Brett Maher was one of the most efficient kickers in the NFL last season, helping the Dallas Cowboys win 12 games during the regular season. However, Maher’s historic struggles in the playoffs led to Dallas realizing it needed to make a change.
After converting 90.6 percent of his 32 field-goal attempts during the regular season and hitting 50-of-53 extra-point attempts, Maher collapsed in the playoffs.
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Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round, Maher missed on his first four extra-point attempts. While the Cowboys kept him on the roster, it was evident he lost the trust of the coaching staff and locker room.
However, Dallas didn’t address the problem early in the offseason. While it is giving Tristan Vizcaino a shot, Dallas is scouring the earth for a new kicker and has even been connected to the position in NFL trade rumors.
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Let’s dive into the three best options to become the Dallas Cowboys kicker in 2023, including two players in NFL free agency.
Nick Folk, New England Patriots
The Dallas Cowboys should be looking for a proven veteran who has demonstrated the ability to be reliable from inside 50 yards. Nick Folk, age 38, was the NFL co-scoring leader in 2021 and continues to prove he’s an efficient kicker.
From 2020-’21, Folk converted 92.5 percent of his 67 field-goal attempts and 90 percent of his extra-point attempts. This past season, kicking for a struggling Patriots’ offense, Folk was uncharacteristically inconsistent on kicks from 40-49 yards out (10-of-14), but he has been good in that area during his career.
While he doesn’t have one of the strongest legs in the NFL, Folk has demonstrated he can often convert from 50-plus yards out (11-of-16 since 2020). Considering the New England Patriots traded up in the NFL Draft to land Chad Ryland, Folk should be available.
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Mason Crosby, free agent
Mason Crosby’s career with the Green Bay Packers certainly provides Cowboys fans with a lot of reasons to hate him. However, his ties to head coach Mike McCarthy make him a natural fit in Dallas for the upcoming season.
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The 38-year-old kicker recently sold his home in Green Bay, so a return to the Packers isn’t happening. He’s free to sign with any team and the Cowboys could offer him an excellent opportunity to close out his career.
After struggling in 2021, Crosby rebounded last season with an 86.2 percent field-goal conversion rate. He is no longer reliable from 50-plys yards out – 1-of-4 in 2022 – but he is extremely accurate from shorter distances. With an 84.8 percent conversion rate on field goals indoors and a 95 percent success rate on extra-point attempts, AT&T Stadium would fit Crosby nicely.
Ryan Succop, free agent
Ryan Succop is arguably the best kicker available in NFL free agency and he brings Super Bowl experience. Mr. Irrelevant in 2009, Succop was reliable for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their best seasons with Tom Brady.
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Succop converted 90.3 percent of his 31 field-goal attempts during the 2020 season. He’s also dependable in the playoffs, converting 16-of-17 field-goal attempts in 10 career playoff games. While he’s similar to Crosby in that he isn’t a great option from 50-plus yards out – 2-of-7 last season – Succop is comfortable kicking outdoors or indoors and that matters if Dallas is a Wild Card team in the playoffs.