3 Kickers Vikings Should Consider Drafting

Rick Spielman
Image Courtesy of Bleacher Report.

Let’s Reid between the lines…

After the release of Dan Bailey, the Minnesota Vikings may be in the market for a new kicker. They already have third-year pro Greg Joseph on the roster, but Joseph is relatively inexperienced and the team may want to draft and develop a kicker. Here are the top three kickers available in this year’s draft.

Evan McPherson – Florida State

McPherson played three years at Florida State, and he only missed ONE extra point in that span. As for field goals, McPherson converted just shy of 90% of his kicks during his first two years, and then pulled back to only a 77% success rate in his final season with the Gators.

The Florida State product made longs of 48, 50, and 55 yards in each season, so he should have leg strength worthy of the NFL.

Jose Borregales – Miami

Borregales played four years of football with the Hurricanes and showed steady improvement along the way. Early in his college career, Borregales was making field goals at 70% and 80% rates, but he stepped up his game to roughly 90% this past season.

The Miami product is also more than comfortable making long kicks. Jose’s career long came on a 57-yarder during his senior year, and he made 53-yard kicks in both his junior and sophomore seasons.

As for extra points, Borregales missed three in his college years, so he technically wasn’t as automatic as McPherson. That said, three misses over four years is hardly a red flag.

Riley Patterson – Memphis

Like Borregales, Patterson stuck around to play four full years at Memphis. Perhaps he should have declared for the draft after his junior year though, as his field goal percentage dropped from 92% as a junior to 68% as a senior. He also missed six extra points in four years.

The drop in performance could have been a fluke, or a result of less practice due to covid limitations. It’s a major concern either way.

Patterson has a big leg that made multiple 52 yard kicks and a 56-yarder in college, but his senior season struggles may prevent him from being drafted.

None of these kickers would be definitive upgrades, so the Vikings may stand pat and roll with Greg Joseph to start the season. Stay tuned though, drafting a kicker would make for an exciting competition during training camp.

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