2021 free agent kickers

Any kicker worth something is probably going to be retained by his current team, but we’ve seen many situations in which that did not happen. The Giants signed Graham Gano to a one-year contract in the offseason, but recently extended him for three more years because Gano is 26-of-27 this season with his one miss coming beyond 50 yards. The Jets opted not to re-sign Jason Myers after a Pro Bowl season in 2018 and he’s currently on a streak of 28 consecutive field goal attempts made with the Seahawks.

The Rams decided not to re-sign Greg Zuerlein in 2020 and went “affordable” at the position, which is why they’re on their third option right now. Even if Sean McVay does like Matt Gay right now, it would seem irresponsible to not at least have a competition for the position in 2021.

These veteran kickers are set to become unrestricted free agents.

Ryan Succop, Bucs

Succop was an exceptionally accurate kicker with the Chiefs and Titans, albeit one who seems limited in power and distance. Then he missed 10 games in 2019 and Tennessee moved on. He has somewhat stabilized a shaky kicking situation in Tampa Bay by going 24-of-26 on field goals and 38-of-41 on extra points. He does not handle kickoffs for the Bucs.

For the record, signing Succop in 2020 only cost Tampa Bay $1 million.

Nick Folk, Patriots

Since joining New England in the middle of last season, Folk is 35-of-40 on field goals and 38-of-40 on extra points. He does not handle kickoffs.

Cairo Santos, Bears

Santos replaced Succop in Kansas City, then actually filled in for him briefly with the Titans. He’s also kicked for the Bucs and of course, the Rams. He signed for under $1 million with Chicago and is 21-of-23 on field goals, 27-of-28 on extra points and even won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week once this season. He does handle kickoffs for Chicago.

Cody Parkey, Browns

Another kicker who was on the 2019 Titans. This is Parkey’s second stint with Cleveland and he’s also kicked for the Eagles, Dolphins and Bears in a short period of time. Parkey is 17-of-20 on field goals this season but he has zero attempts of 50+ yards. He is 37-of-39 on extra points and handles kickoffs for the Browns.

Matt Prater, Lions

After eight seasons with the Broncos and seven with the Lions, the 36-year-old Prater will become a free agent in March. He is 19-of-26 on field goals this season, including 4-of-8 beyond 50 yards. He is 33-of-34 on extra points and handle some kickoff duties. He is not shy with distance but is prone to missing in the 40-49 range.

Zane Gonzalez, Cardinals

Gonzalez is 77-of-80 on extra points over the last two seasons, but he has missed five kicks in the 40-49 range for Arizona this year. He has some consistency issues and is currently sitting out with a back injury. Gonzalez does handle kickoff duties.

Stephen Gostkowski, Titans

The kicker who replaced all those kickers in Tennessee, Gostkowski is 17-of-25 for the Titans but surprisingly is 7-of-8 from 50+. That’s good news for his long distance, bad news for his short distance. Gostkowski is 39-of-41 on extra points and has done a solid job on kickoffs.

Randy Bullock, Bengals

It feels to me like Bullock has been in the NFL for ages but he’s only 31 (today is his birthday actually) and he’s been okay over four seasons in Cincinnati. Not spectacular, Bullock is 21-of-26 on field goal attempts and 24-of-25 on extra points. He has handled their kickoff duties as well.

Dustin Hopkins, Washington

He is 22-of-29 on all field goals, but only 11-of-17 from 40+ yards. Hopkins is 27-of-28 on extra points and handles kickoff duties with a lot of his going for touchbacks.

Aldrick Rosas, Jaguars

A Pro Bowl kicker for the Giants in 2018, Rosas went a shocking 1-of-5 on kicks beyond FORTY yards in a FULL season in 2019 and New York moved on. He was recently picked up by Jacksonville and he is their FIFTH kicker of 2020. Rosas is 7-of-10 on the season and 3-of-3 on extra points, including kickoff duties.