Oh, Joy: This Year’s Crop of Draft-Eligible Kickers Comes with a Ton of Concerns

Once the Chicago Bears figure out what their plan is in the secondary with a pair of starters on the brink of free agency, how the team addresses its need at the place-kicker position is the storyline everyone will gravitate toward this offseason.

If the team doesn’t go after Stephen Gostkowski at the top of the market, the most obvious solution is to dive into the draft-eligible kickers and find a long-term answer in that phase of the offseason. And to that end, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune recently checked in with three anonymous NFL Special Teams Coordinators while at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis for a feel on the kickers who could be on the Bears’ draft radar. Unfortunately, I’m not sure anything relayed to Biggs will leave Bears fans feeling confident about the available options.

When it came to Cole Tracy, Biggs was told the LSU standout had “poor leg strength” that left doubts if he could play in the league. That seems to vibe with the Tracy’s NFL.com prospect profile, which lists weaknesses as “ball tends to die early on deep field goal tries,” limited deep range, and “unimpressive trajectory on intermediate kicks.” And since GM Ryan Pace made it a point of emphasis that leg strength would be a priority when finding his team’s next kicker, I feel as if Tracy doesn’t fit what the team’s lead decision-maker publicly said he was seeking.

The returns for Matt Gay were a bit better, with Biggs hearing that the Utah product “had good ball flight.” I suppose that’s one way to confirm Lance Zierlein’s NFL.com write-up of Gay as he described him as “a big boy with an even bigger leg” and listed “big, booming leg” as a strength. But don’t get too caught up in Gay in a Bears uniform just yet. A special teams coordinator also noted Gay “had some misses with the field goals” and that’s not something that will put anyone’s mind at ease. Gay also has “an awkward, three-step approach” that Zierlein believes needs some work in order for him to land on an NFL roster.

Oklahoma’s Austin Seibert received the most positive reviews. Seibert received a thumbs up on having “a nice leg” and “good leg strength” when it came to kickoff attempts and field goals. It’s a shame there isn’t more of a sample on Seibert kicking from long distance. According to Seibert’s draft profile, he attempted just three 50-yard kicks (made only one) and was 4-for-9 on tries in the 40-49 range. Considering that the Bears’ season ended on a missed 43-yard attempt, that’s a tough sell. But Seibert is the leading in Oklahoma and Big 12 history, so maybe that tilts the scales in his favor.

Even after the snapshot provided from a top draft analyst and league special teams coaches, I’m still unsure how to feel about any of these prospects. Each has admirable strengths, but the weaknesses and question-marks would leave me feeling uneasy about putting my full trust in any of the options listed above.

Drafting a kicker seems like a roll of the dice, but Pace didn’t rule it out as a possibility if the right situation presented itself. However, I’m not sure things will play out for it to happen. And maybe that’s a good thing. Late-round picks tend to be high-upside picks with little risk attached to their future. But if the Bears took a shot at a kicker, they would be jumping into the risky end of the pool with a position that has left fans scarred after how 2018 ended.

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

Latest News

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

How to Watch Braves vs. Phillies: Live Stream or on TV

The Atlanta Braves, with Spencer Strider on the mound, take on the Philadelphia Phillies (who will counter with Zack Wheeler) in their opening game of the season, at 3:05 PM ET on Friday.Keep reading to find out all the details...

Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

On Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, and Jonas Valančiūnas' 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trey.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksJonas Valanciunas' over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

What Would be the Best Draw for the Chicago Bulls in the Play-In Tournament?

Nine games stand between the Chicago Bulls and the Play-In Tournament. I know ... yippie! Practically locked into the No. 9 seed, this puts them in line to host the No. 10 seed at the United Center in Round 1....

Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks begin their season as -226 favorites in a home tilt against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on ARID.Arizona's Zac Gallen and Colorado's Kyle Freeland have been named the starters for this contest.Diamondbacks...

Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Seattle Mariners start their season as home favorites (-155) in a matchup with the Boston Red Sox on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET, live on NESN from T-Mobile Park.Seattle's Luis Castillo and Boston's Brayan Bello have been named the...

Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians look to start their season with a win as road favorites (-145) in a season-opening matchup with the Oakland Athletics. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET on NBCS-CA, live from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.Cleveland's Shane...

more bears news