Green Bay Packers kicker Anders Carlson was one of the team’s biggest concerns heading into the NFL playoffs. After the rookie’s woes proved costly in the Divisional Round, it’s time for Green Bay to consider replacing Carlson.
Carlson, the 20th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was overdrafted by Green Bay. He made just 68 percent of his field-goal attempts in his final two seasons with the Auburn Tigers, but Packers’ special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia believed he could fix him. Instead, Carlson was one of the worst Packers’ starters all season.
- Anders Carlson stats: 81.8% FG, 87.2% XP, 43% touchback rate
Related: Green Bay Packers mock draft 2024
Let’s dive into the best options to replace Carlson and become the Packers kicker in 2024.
Nick Folk, free agent
Nick Folk is defying Father Time. In his age-39 season, the sixth-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft was the most accurate kicker in football. It’s not a fluke either. Folk was one of the most accurate kickers in the NFL in stints with both the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans over the last four seasons.
- Nick Folk stats (2020-’23): 123-of-134 on field-goal attempts (91.8%), 54-of-65 (83.1%) from 40+
Importantly for the Packers, Folk is also comfortable kicking in cold weather. He did it for the Patriots and this past season in Tennessee, the veteran converted 20-of-21 attempts when outdoors. He’s also dependable from distance, making at least four kicks from 50-plus yards with an 81.8% success rate over the last two seasons with the Titans and Patriots.
Ka’imi Fairbairn, free agent
While Green Bay should have a preference for kickers who are comfortable in cold weather, overall accuracy is paramount. Ka’imi Fairbairn spent his college career at UCLA and was with the Houston Texans for seven seasons, so kicking in frigid conditions would take getting used to. If the Packers’ coaching staff believes he can do it though, Fairbairn is one of the best kickers in NFL free agency.
Related: 4 offseason moves the Green Bay Packers should make
In 2023, Fairbianr made 96.4 percent of his field-goal attempts and 95.5 percent of his extra-point attempts. It marked the second consecutive season he’s converted on at least 90 percent of his field goals, boasting an accuracy rate of 94.9 percent on 59 field-goal attempts and 97.8 percent on extra-point tries.
Will Reichard, Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide are no stranger to kicking woes. That all changed with Will Reichard, a two-time All-SEC kicker who repeatedly came through in critical situations for Nick Saban. The 23-year-old comes with confidence, with experience in kicking in high-pressure situations.
Not to mention that Reichard is also accurate. He got off to a rocky start at Alabama in 2019 as a freshman only making 57.1 percent of his seven attempts. He then went through a brief rough spell in 2021, going 22-of-28 (78.6 percent) as a junior. Once again he rebounded, finishing his career as the NCAA’s all-time points leader and drilling 86.3 percent of his 51 field-goal attempts in his final two seasons.
Cam Little, Arkansas Razorbacks
In addition to Reichard, the Packers could target Arkansas’ Cam Little in the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-2 placekicker was the definition of consistency for the Razorbacks, making at least 81 percent of his field-goal attempts in three consecutive seasons. He was at his best as a junior, converting on 4-of-5 attempts from 50-plus yards away in 2023 after going just 1-for-3 from distance as a freshman in 2021. Little would provide both the leg and accuracy that Green Bay is looking for, with a track record that easily surpasses anything Carlson did at Auburn.
Related: Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator candidates 2024