Hopefully, you won't get any shanks with the best kickers in the NFL right now. Featuring the top kickers of the 2026 season, this ranked list highlights each player's reliability under pressure, kicking accuracy, and consistency. Join the thousands of football fans, and help determine this year's NFL kicker rankings using their recent stats and career highlights. Everyone has their favorites, and this list is sure to start debates. Standouts on this list include the likes of Justin Tucker, Harrison Butker, and Younghoe Koo - top-tier kickers who base their stellar reputations on their ability to deliver during crunch time, convert extra points and field goals reliably (while also sending punts down the field). The list features other exceptional talents, including the always dependable Jake Elliott and the resilient Cameron Dicker, whose powerful legs and exceptional accuracy have repeatedly pushed their respective teams to victory. We also can't forget about Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, the former pro soccer player who was the 2023 NFL Scoring Leader. We must also tip our hats to Evan McPherson and Ka'imi Fairbairn, who are injecting fresh energy into the league with their exceptional performances. Each of these good kickers brings something unique to the field, be it unflappable poise, mind-boggling range, or the ability to perform under daunting pressure. With an array of talents and mindsets, this inclusive list does a fantastic job displaying the various attributes that make for an elite NFL kicker. Now it's your turn to join the fun! Agree with the rankings? Disagree with the placement of others? Then start upvoting your top choice for best NFL kicker right now, and downvote those you believe need to step up their game. Happy voting, and may the best kicker rise to the top!
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As a placekicker, Brandon Aubrey swiftly transitioned from professional soccer to American football. His ability to shift between sports and maintain top-level performances is commendable and sets him apart in the special teams lineup. His soccer background is clear, lending a unique definition to his kicking prowess.
Harrison Butker's exceptional skill set and unwavering commitment to his craft have earned him a reputation as one of the NFL's most reliable kickers. His innate ability to calmly and methodically dissect any situation, combined with an unrelenting drive for perfection, make Butker a formidable force on the gridiron. His seamless integration of raw power and acute precision allows him to perform at an elite level, consistently producing awe-inspiring feats that leave spectators and opponents alike speechless.
Chris Boswell's exceptional skill set, versatility, and unwavering commitment to his craft have garnered him widespread recognition as one of the NFL's top kickers. With a keen ability to navigate challenging conditions and an unrivaled determination to succeed, Boswell consistently rises to the occasion in high-pressure moments. His relentless drive for perfection and penchant for clutch performances make him a force to be reckoned with on the football field.
Cameron Dicker, known as "Dicker the Kicker", has made a profound impact on the National Football League ever since he played college football at Texas. Exemplifying a consistent performance, he is also known as the first NFL player born in Hong Kong. Moreover, he remarkably won the Big 12 honors thrice, setting the bar incredibly high for any upcoming athletes.
Jake Elliott's remarkable leg strength, precision, and ability to perform under pressure have made him a standout talent in the league. Known for his ability to seamlessly adapt to the evolving demands of the game, Elliott consistently delivers when it matters most, often stepping up in high-pressure situations. His remarkable dedication to his craft and unyielding commitment to excellence have earned him a place among the NFL's kicking elite.
Ka'imi Fairbairn's fusion of raw power, precision, and adaptability have quickly earned him a reputation as one of the league's most promising young kickers. Demonstrating poise under pressure and a commitment to constantly improve, Fairbairn consistently rises to the occasion when his team needs him most. His impressive skill set, unyielding determination to succeed, and growing list of game-changing performances have positioned him as an emerging force to watch in the NFL.
Emerging as one of the NFL's most promising talents, Evan McPherson's exceptional leg strength and precision have quickly catapulted him into conversations about the league's best kickers. Adept at navigating challenging field conditions and maintaining poise in the face of adversity, McPherson's confidence and composure shine through on the football field. With a penchant for delivering in high-stakes moments and consistently making the difficult seem routine, this young kicker appears destined for greatness.
Jason Myers' keen ability to maintain his composure under pressure, coupled with his impressive leg strength and accuracy, have earned him widespread recognition as one of the NFL's most dependable kickers. Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his craft and a resolve to continually hone his skills, Myers consistently delivers when called upon. His remarkable consistency and determination to excel in even the most high-pressure situations have made him a trusted and invaluable member of his team.
Wil Lutz's reputation as one of the league's most consistent and reliable kickers speaks volumes about his dedication to perfecting his craft. With an uncanny ability to perform under pressure and a penchant for making clutch kicks in high-stakes situations, Lutz has proven time and again that he is an invaluable asset to his team. His unwavering focus and commitment to excellence make him a formidable presence on the field and a force to be reckoned with in the world of professional sports.
Matt Prater's distinguished career has been defined by his uncanny ability to perform in high-pressure situations and his unwavering commitment to his team. With impressive leg strength and nerves of steel, Prater has a penchant for making clutch kicks that have left fans and opponents alike in awe. His consistency and dedication to perfecting his craft have made him one of the most respected kickers in the league.
Younghoe Koo's electrifying style of play, remarkable consistency, and uncanny ability to read the game have cemented his status as one of the league's most dynamic and versatile kickers. Known for his quick reflexes, laser-like focus, and ability to adapt to a wide range of situations, Koo's prowess on the field is simply unmatched. His unparalleled work ethic, tenacity, and unwavering dedication to his team have endeared him to fans and teammates alike and solidified his place as a true game-changer.
Tyler Bass has quickly established himself as one of the NFL's most promising young kickers, thanks to his exceptional leg strength, accuracy, and resilience. Demonstrating remarkable poise and the ability to bounce back after setbacks, Bass showcases a level of maturity well beyond his years. His unwavering determination to succeed and innate drive to elevate the kicking game make him an unquestionable force to be reckoned with in years to come.
Chase McLaughlin's career began playing college football at Illinois, overcoming obstacles of going undrafted, and landing on five different teams in just one season. Chase's perseverance paid off when he garnered honors such as the First-team All-Big Ten and Bakken–Andersen Kicker of the Year in 2018.
Greg Zuerlein's fusion of raw power, impeccable accuracy, and poise under pressure has earned him a reputation as one of the most formidable kickers in professional football. Known for his ability to perform in the clutch and adapt to any situation, Zuerlein's presence on the field is nothing short of awe-inspiring. With an unwavering commitment to his craft and an unrivaled drive to continually push his limits, he has become a paragon of excellence in the kicking game.
Matt Gay's impressive blend of power, accuracy, and agility make him an undeniable asset to any team in need of a dependable kicker. Displaying an uncanny ability to adjust to the fast-paced, ever-evolving nature of the game, Gay consistently delivers when called upon. His composure under pressure and commitment to continuous improvement have earned him the respect of his peers and secured his place among the league's kicking elite.
Daniel Carlson's combination of raw power, accuracy, and mental fortitude have quickly made him one of the most promising young kickers in the NFL. Unwavering in both his approach to the game and his commitment to his team, Carlson continually demonstrates an impressive ability to maintain his composure in high-pressure situations. With a relentless drive to excel and a growing list of game-changing performances, Carlson is undoubtedly an emerging force to be reckoned with in the league.
Nick Folk's exceptional accuracy, poise in high-pressure situations, and unwavering dedication to honing his craft have solidified his position as one of the most dependable kickers in the NFL. With a track record of delivering clutch performances when his team needs them most, Folk has proven time and again that he is a reliable and invaluable asset on the field. His commitment to maintaining a consistent level of excellence and ability to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of professional football has endeared him to teammates and fans alike.
Cairo Santos' impressive accuracy, unwavering focus in high-pressure situations, and commitment to honing his skills have made him a trusted and reliable presence on the field. Known for his ability to adjust his tactics and perform at an elite level in even the most challenging conditions, Santos has become a key component of his team's overall strategy. His resolve to consistently deliver in clutch moments and dedication to his craft have earned him the admiration of both his peers and fans.
2023 Regular Season FG% (FGM/FGA): 88.9% (16/18) 2023 Regular Season Points: 89 Riley Patterson's impressive combination of power, precision, and composure under pressure have made him a standout talent among the new generation of NFL kickers. Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to improvement and a keen ability to navigate high-stakes situations, Patterson has quickly earned the trust of his teammates and coaches. With a relentless drive to excel and a growing list of awe-inspiring feats to his name, Patterson is undoubtedly an emerging force to watch in professional football.
Graham Gano's incredible leg strength, precision under pressure, and steadfast dedication to his team have made him one of the most respected and reliable kickers in the league. Demonstrating a remarkable ability to remain focused and composed in high-stakes situations, Gano routinely delivers when it matters most. His resolve to consistently perform at an elite level and never shy away from a challenge has established him as a true pillar of excellence in professional sports.
Jason Sanders' incredible accuracy, mental fortitude, and dedication to perfecting his craft have established him as one of the NFL's elite kickers. With an impressive ability to remain composed in the face of adversity and perform in clutch moments, Sanders has proven himself to be a vital component of his team's success. His relentless drive to excel and unwavering commitment to his team have made him an undeniable force in the world of professional sports.
Brandon McManus has distinguished himself as one of the league's most consistently high-performing kickers, thanks to his incredible leg strength, accuracy, and mental toughness. Renowned for his unshakable confidence and ability to calmly dissect any situation, McManus has become an irreplaceable part of his team's overall strategy. His unwavering commitment to his craft and proven track record of stepping up in high-stakes moments have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and fans.
Dustin Hopkins' exceptional leg strength, accuracy under pressure, and unwavering dedication to his craft have earned him widespread recognition as one of the NFL's most reliable kickers. Continually displaying an uncanny ability to adapt to any situation and perform at a consistently high level, Hopkins has proven himself an invaluable asset to his team. His commitment to maintaining a standard of excellence and an unyielding determination to be the best have made him a respected figure in the league.
Rodrigo Blankenship's powerful leg, remarkable accuracy, and ability to remain poised under pressure have established him as one of the NFL's most promising young kickers. Known for his fearless approach to the game and commitment to continually improving his skills, Blankenship routinely delivers in high-stakes situations. With a growing reputation as a clutch performer and an unwavering focus on his craft, he is fast becoming a force to reckon with in the league.
Greg Joseph's combination of raw power, accuracy, and poise in high-pressure situations make him an undeniable asset to any football team. Demonstrating an impressive ability to remain composed in the face of adversity and perform at a consistently high level, Joseph has quickly established himself as a dependable kicker in the league. With an unwavering commitment to his craft and a drive to succeed, he is poised to continue making an impact in the NFL.
2023 Regular Season FG% (FGM/FGA): 81.1% (30/37) 2023 Regular Season Points: 130 Born in 1998, Blake Grupe is a force to reckon with due to his knack for precision, sound technical skills, and intrinsic capability to deliver under pressure. A noteworthy accomplishment was his stellar performance in his 2023 rookie season where he successfully made 81.1% field goal attempts, earning a total of 130 points. Grupe's energetic and determined gameplay make him an impactful player on the field.
Eddy Pineiro's impressive leg strength, consistent accuracy, and poise under pressure have earned him a reputation as a reliable kicker in the NFL. Possessing an unyielding drive to improve and a tenacious work ethic, Pineiro has quickly become a trusted asset on the field. As he continues to demonstrate unwavering commitment to his craft and an ability to perform in high-stakes situations, Pineiro is solidifying his place among the league's most dependable kickers.
Boasting an enviable combination of power, precision, and mental toughness, Joey Slye has quickly established himself as one of the NFL's most versatile and dependable kickers. Often rising to the occasion in high-pressure moments, Slye's ability to maintain his composure and deliver when it matters most speaks volumes about his character and commitment to his team. With a growing list of standout performances to his name, Slye is undoubtedly an emerging force to be reckoned with in professional sports.
Cade York's remarkable leg strength, accuracy, and mental toughness have quickly garnered him attention as one of the most promising young talents in the league. With an unshakable drive to succeed and the ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations, York consistently delivers when called upon. His commitment to perfecting his skills and fearlessly taking on new challenges have made him an exciting prospect in the world of professional football.
