The Packers’ kicking battle is in full swing entering the second week of training camp. With James Turner waived on Tuesday, Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph are left vying for the job. Both kickers had consistent performances throughout the first week of camp. Carlson went 21 for 24, and Joseph went 22 for 24.
The Green Bay Packers will likely decide who wins the job by the end of August. However, they should hope Carlson wins the battle. Going against the “never draft kickers” saying, the Packers spent a sixth-round pick on Carlson a year ago. They need a positive return on that investment.
Carlson has more leg talent than Joseph. His issue isn’t leg power but accuracy. Last year, Carlson had a 60% field goal rate from 50+ yards, but only 50% from 40-49 yards. Additionally, Greg Joseph has a 42% career field goal percentage at Lambeau Field.
The Packers faced backlash for using a draft pick on Carlson, a Day 3 pick, for a position often filled undrafted. Justin Tucker, arguably the greatest kicker ever, was undrafted. This decision sparked debate on whether the Packers should have used the pick to add a contributor to the offense or defense and gone the undrafted route for a kicker. Green Bay has found Day 3 contributors like Karl Brooks, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, Zach Tom, and Rasheed Walker.
Teams rarely draft kickers, but when they do, they expect immediate results, and the Packers are no different. Green Bay erred by not providing Carlson competition last year. However, they’ve learned from this mistake and brought in competition for him this offseason. Packers fans should hope this motivates Carlson to work even harder for the position.
Carlson had a better start to his career than Mason Crosby, who was a reliable kicker for the Packers for a long period of time. Patience was necessary with Carlson last year because he was a rookie. Now, entering his second year, he has no excuses to perform at the level the Packers need and demand.
The Packers usually show patience with their draft picks. However, 2024 could be do-or-die for Carlson, given the kicker position’s low margin for error. The next few weeks are crucial for him, and he has a chance to secure his job in Green Bay for the foreseeable future.
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