One of the more under-discussed storylines heading into the 2023 NFL draft is whether or not the Tennessee Titans finally invest a draft pick in a kicker.
Over the last few years, top kickers like Cade York (fourth round) and Evan McPherson (fifth round) have started to creep their way into the middle rounds of the draft.
It’s hard to imagine any of this year’s kickers doing the same, but you never know when it comes to these things.
As of right now, the only kicker on the Titans’ roster is the unproven Caleb Shudak. Therefore, if there was ever a time to identify your kicker of the present and future, this may be an ideal opportunity to do so.
Tennessee could ultimately choose to spend a late-round pick on one, or they could just wait to add another leg as an undrafted free agent. Whichever route they choose, they have to get some sort of competition going at kicker.
This article is going to discuss the top-five kicker prospects based on the consensus rankings (143 big boards).
Michigan’s Jake Moody in particular has been a popular choice among Titans fans, so let’s get to know him, as well as some of the other top kickers, just a little bit better.
No. 1: Jake Moody, Michigan
Career stats:
- 69-of-84 field goals (82.1 percent)
- 148-of-148 PAT’s (100.0 percent)
- 355 total points
Quick analysis from Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:
Moody has just two seasons as a full-time kicker but he was a consistent performer who could pull the team to wins when the offense sputtered. He’s very reliable on kicks shorter than 40 yards but has been less consistent from longer distances. He’s capable on kickoffs and strikes the ball with consistency, so he should get a shot a chance to compete for a roster spot in camp.
No. 2: Chad Ryland, Maryland
Career Stats:
- 75-of-97 field goals (77.3 percent)
- 180-of-185 PAT’s (97.3 percent)
- 405 total points
Quick analysis from Zierlein:
Five-year kicker with four seasons at Eastern Michigan and one at Maryland. Ryland has the leg to make 50-plus-yard field goals and handle kickoffs, but it is nothing special by NFL standards. He will need to improve his overall accuracy and placement to make an NFL team.
No. 3: Andre Szmyt, Syracuse
Career stats:
- 85-of-105 field goals (81.0 percent)
- 199-of-203 PAT’s (98.0 percent)
- 454 total points
Quick analysis from The NFL Draft Bible:
Andre Szmyt is a returning starter for Syracuse. A record-setting kicker who burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman, winning the 2018 Lou Groza Award and earning unanimous All-America honors. Szmyt is Syracuse’s all-time leader in points (354), Two-time All-ACC and All-ECAC selection, and a Three-time nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy. Szmyt’s 1.6 field goals per contest are the top mark in school history. He’s also the program’s all-time leader in field-goal percentage (.823, 65-79). Szmyt ranks in the top 10 in Orange history in the following categories: 50+ yard field goals (3rd – 4), extra points made (2nd – 159), extra points attempted (2nd – 163), field goals made (1st, 65) and field goals attempted (3rd – 79). He is 44-for-48 (.917) from inside 40 yards and is 4-for-6 (.667) from beyond 50 yards.
No. 4: Christopher Dunn, North Carolina State
Career stats:
- 97-of-115 field goals (84.3 percent)
- 200-of-200 PAT’s (100.0 percent)
- 491 total points
Quick analysis from Zierlien:
Dunn will need to show NFL teams he can handle kickoffs, as he might not possess enough accuracy and leg to impress clubs enough without kickoff value. He was very good in his first two years and slipped a bit in his next two, but he had his strongest season yet in 2022. He’s a bit of a long shot to make a team, but his confidence level was where it needed to be last season.
No. 5: Jack Podlesny, Georgia
Career stats:
- 61-of-74 field goals (82.4 percent)
- 182-of-184 PAT’s (98.9 percent)
- 365 total points
Quick analysis from Zierlein:
Podlesny has kicked in some big games, but he missed two attempts in a narrow victory over Ohio State during last season’s playoff semifinal. He also has a poor success rate on kicks from distance. Consistency and power are key, and Podlesny falls a little short in those areas.
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