2015 NFL Draft: Top 5 Place Kickers

Dec 27, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions place kicker Sam Ficken (97) kicks the winning extra point in overtime against the Boston College Eagles in the 2014 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Penn State defeated Boston College 31-30 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Contrary to what the popular sentiment would have you believe, the top five place kickers in the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft are in fact significant. Whether you realize it now or not, many of the following players will end up having impactful NFL careers. Some may even determine who does, and subsequently who does not make the playoffs in the upcoming NFL seasons.

Then there is the lurking future possibility of the NFL goal posts being narrowed. If such happens it is inevitable that many of the starting place kickers in the NFL today will at some point struggle. This could consequently cause the aforementioned kickers to lose their starting jobs, which would then lead to NFL teams foreseeable looking at this year’s batch of young soon to be rookie place kickers, as replacements.

Essentially, what I am saying is that place kickers have great importance. Outside of quarterback, and left tackle an argument could be made that having a solid place kicker is more vital to a team’s legitimate success than any player at any other position.

General managers must always be certain in the belief that they can rely on their place kicker to get the job done. If indeed there is any doubt, they must and often do look to the NFL draft in finding a reliable place kicker.

With that being said, here are the top five place kickers in my opinion in this year’s draft.

Next: 5. Jared Roberts, Colorado State