2018 NFL free agents: Top five kickers available for Dolphins
That time is still here, the free agents season continues where the Dolphins have been filling holes in order to set up picking the best player on the board come draft time.
Former kicker Cody Parkey found greener pastures with the Bears leaving a hole that has yet to be filled. Blair Walsh had a visit but nothing has come from it. There has been some looks at draft prospects but it seems someone with NFL experience would be the right choice to add in order to start and play when the season starts.
As the cap money has been spent the free agents activity has slowed. I have seen that cap figure anywhere from $4M to $8M depending on the source. One would think the money to sign a kicker wouldn’t be that much but look what happened with the one we had.
One other option is getting one late after the June 1st money comes in from letting Ndamukong Suh go. Kicker might be one of few positions that a player can pick up where they left off without whatever physical contact is allowed in off-season training these days. And you never know if or when a team might be dropping a kicker.
The top five FA kickers according to NFL Trade Rumors
Nick Novak (36) in his 12 season played mostly with the Chargers he has had kicking percentages of 70% to 90%. His salad years were back in 2012 and 2013 when he only missed two or three FG’s on those seasons. His lowest percentile was last season having missed four. However he had hip issues and was placed on IR the start of December.
Sebastian Janikowski (40) That big 4 oh jumps out here but this is no run of the mill kicker. This is a prolific one known for having the biggest leg capable of hitting long FG’s or making a kickoff touchback almost at will. He had 43 of them the last season he played in 2016, a bad back kept him from playing last year. But he must be in better health after visiting the Seahawks a few days ago and the Chargers are said to have interest. The Dolphins movement toward culture could prevent this pick up as he has had a shady past.
More from Dolphins News
- Tua Tagovailoa practicing with teammates is everything a leader does
- 4 offensive tackles Miami Dolphins could draft at 51
- Miami Dolphins don’t need CB help but these 5 could be available at 51
- 4 players that could replace Wilkins if Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign him
- Miami Dolphins have a starting point with Wilkins after Simmons deal
Nick Folk (33) Like Novak he had a few seasons with a 90% kicking percentage. The first was his second season with the Cowboys then he had one later with his long tenure with the Jets where he had over 30 FG’s in the 2013 season. He had a good run with the Jets but was a bust with his last team the Bucs where he played only four games having a percentage of just 54%. However he had knee issues and is now good to go.
Mike Nugent (36) he seems like an all around type not really standing out other than from the 40-50 yard range where he has made a fair amount at a good clip not going back too far in his seasons played. He could be an adequate hold down the fort type player.
Blair Walsh (28) the youngest of the lot and the only one that had a visit with the Miami Dolphins. He has been described as shaky when his kicking percentage dropped below 80% which has happened half of his seasons played. His first season played with the Vikings he made ten out of ten from 50 yards. And he had one of those below 80% seasons there the other two were his last two seasons. Anytime a team goes for those longer FG’s it’s a gamble and he has been there done that. But has also missed his fair share. Can he regain his form?
There is one other kicker I wonder about: former Dolphins kicker Andrew Franks. Yeah he missed 5 FG’s on his last season but he did make one from 55. Did he leave on good terms and might find his way back? A crazy personal side note on a game ritual I have done: that is to eat hotdogs at halftime and Franks would remind me of that.