Being a kicker within the NFL is a troublesome job.
When kicks are made, they’re beloved and celebrated by followers for his or her potential to safe factors, however when kicks are missed, only a few positions expertise the identical vitriol from critics and followers alike.
There have been a number of kickers all through the league’s historical past who’ve earned Super Bowl titles and even been an integral a part of a franchise’s core.
But this received us pondering: Who are the best kickers in NFL historical past?
Using a mix of statistics and outcomes, FOX Sports Research analyzed the ten finest kickers of all time. Let’s have a look:
1. Adam Vinatieri
The NFL’s all-time main scorer with 2,673 factors within the common season and 238 factors within the playoffs, no kicker has been extra impactful all through his profession than Vinatieri. He is certainly one of three kickers to make seven or extra area objectives within the Super Bowl, and most famously, he kicked an unimaginable kick for the Patriots in a snowstorm in Foxboro to beat the Raiders within the “Tuck Rule” recreation.
Vinatieri is a four-time Super Bowl champion, three-time First Team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl.
2.Morten Andersen
The NFL’s all-time main scorer earlier than Vinatieri surpassed him, Morten Andersen’s longevity all through his profession is unparalleled. “The Great Dane” performed 25 seasons and in three totally different a long time, making six All-Pro groups and incomes seven Pro Bowl alternatives. He was the second kicker ever elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, having been inducted within the class of 2017.
3. Justin Tucker
The solely energetic participant on this listing, Justin Tucker could be the biggest long-range kicker in NFL historical past. He holds the league report for longest area objective made at 66 yards, and his 63 area objectives from 50+ yards are the second-most by any kicker since 1991. As of Week 16 of the 2024 season, he has an 89.1% success charge on his kicks, which is the very best in NFL historical past. Tucker is an eight-time All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowl choice and in addition a Super Bowl champion.
4.Lou Groza
Lou Groza’s place on this listing is closely primarily based on statistics, however extra importantly revolves round the truth that he revolutionized the sport. Before that was the norm within the Fifties, he shot long-range baskets and in addition performed offensive sort out. Groza performed 21 seasons with the Browns and was named to 6 All-Pro groups and in addition earned 9 Pro Bowl nominations. He led the league in scoring in 1957 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.
5. Stephen Gostowski
Three-time Super Bowl champion with New England, three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler: Stephen Gostowski led the NFL in scoring 5 occasions. He is certainly one of three kickers all-time to report seven or extra area objectives within the Super Bowl, becoming a member of Vinatieri and Harrison Butker. Gostowski was additionally the primary participant because the 1970 merger to steer the league in scoring greater than two consecutive seasons, for 4 consecutive years from 2012 to 2015.
6. George Blanda
Another recreation changer like Groza, George Blanda was a quarterback who was additionally a prolific kicker. Blanda’s 940 additional factors are essentially the most in NFL historical past, as he performed an unimaginable 26 seasons {of professional} soccer between the AFL and NFL from 1949 to 1975. He continues to be certainly one of solely seven gamers to ever rating over 2,000 factors, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981.
7. Jan Stenerud
The very first kicker to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame (as Groza and Blanda additionally crammed different roles), Stenerud’s resume is lengthy: he received the Super Bowl, the AFL championship, was named to 6 All-Pro groups, 4 Pro Bowl alternatives and inducted into the Chiefs and Packers Hall of Fame. At the time of his retirement in 1985, solely George Blanda had extra factors than his 1,699.
8.Gary Anderson
Having spent most of his 23-year profession with the Steelers, Gary Anderson is the best kicker in Pittsburgh historical past. His 2,434 factors and 538 area objectives each ranked third all-time, and he hit 820 of his 827 additional level makes an attempt, good for a 99.2 p.c conversion charge. The Steelers retired his No. 1 jersey and named him to their all-time crew in celebration of their seventy fifth season in 2007. Anderson made three All-Pro groups and earned 4 Pro Bowl alternatives.
9. Jason Elam
Jason Elam is certainly one of 11 kickers to ever hit a area objective from 63+ yards, and certainly one of solely two to take action earlier than 2000. He was a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Broncos and in addition earned three All-Pro alternatives and three Pro Bowl nods. Elam’s 1,983 factors rank eighth all-time and his 436 area objectives made are within the prime 10.
10.Jason Hanson
A Lions legend, Jason Hanson spent 21 seasons in Detroit and performed 327 video games from 1992 to 2012. He ranks fourth all-time in factors (2,150) and area objectives made (495), and continues to be the one kicker to ever be named the Pro Football Writers of America Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Honorable Mention:
- Matt Stover
- Matt Prater
- Robbie Gould
- Marco Moseley
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