NFL Kickers Gain Attention Ahead of 2026 Season

Trey Smack Emerges as Green Bay's Long-Term Kicking Solution

Green Bay's Trey Smack made three field goals in Week 1, including an impressive 59-yarder that caught evaluators' attention. The Packers drafted Smack in the sixth round after selecting Anders Carlson in the same round back in 2023. ESPN notes that Smack received virtually no competition during training camp, signaling the team's confidence in him as their long-term starter.

Smack's college resume is solid: he made 82.8% of his field-goal attempts and converted 99% of extra points. At just 22 years old, he has the skills and opportunity to establish himself as one of the league's most reliable kickers for the next decade.

Other NFL Kickers Prove Fantasy Football Value

Kansas City's Cairo Santos and Los Angeles' Chase McLaughlin are attracting fantasy football interest this season. McLaughlin made 32 field goals in 2025, including a remarkable 65-yard kick, and finished seventh among NFL fantasy kickers. NFL.com ranks these specialists high for leagues seeking consistent scoring from the kicker position.

The kicker position has historically been overlooked in NFL analysis and fantasy drafts. But recent standout performances prove that consistent leg strength and accuracy can swing close games and deliver fantasy points week after week. Teams are now valuing kickers earlier in drafts.

College Kickers Making High School Scouts Sit Up and Notice

At the high school level, kickers are also stepping into the spotlight. Parkland's Andrea Giroudon leads the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference in field goals with three makes from 43, 33, and 19 yards. Nazareth's Owen Hall tops conference kickers with 23 points after making 17 extra points and two field goals.

NFL Scouts Evaluate Rookies Beyond Quarterbacks and Running Backs

While college scouts focus on quarterbacks and pass rushers for 2026, Pro Football Focus graded Kansas City's Peter Woods highly at defensive tackle in his rookie season. PFF also ranked an unnamed rookie offensive lineman among the week's top performers. These deep dives show scouts are looking beyond traditional star positions.

Pittsburgh offensive tackle Ryan Baer is drawing attention in college games. Meanwhile, Washington receiver Antonio Williams led PFF's rookie rankings after his NFL debut. Scouts understand that consistent, unsexy execution at every position matters more than flashy plays.