2015 NFL Draft: Top 5 Place Kickers

Nov 1, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions place kicker Sam Ficken (97) kicks a field goal from the hold of place kicker Chris Gulla (37) against the Maryland Terrapins during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

4. Sam Ficken, Penn State

Mr. Clutch for Penn State; Sam Ficken has made multiple clutch fourth quarter kicks for Penn State over the years. Going 24 for 29 on field goal attempts in 2014, Ficken posted a 82.9 make percentage. Ficken was truly one of the most accurate place kickers in all of college football in 2014. His longest ever made field goal (54 yards), came in the 2013 season.

Now you may be wondering why I didn’t rank Ficken higher with all this positive talk, fact of the matter is he’s a hardly a perfect prospect. Ficken boasts what would be best being described as below average leg strength in the kickoff department. Although his 54 yard best may lead you to believe otherwise, Ficken doesn’t exactly have a huge place kicking leg, probably most accurately said — an average boot.

In truth, I like him a lot as an NFL prospect, but there is just a tad too much left to be desired here. If Ficken had better leg strength he would be a well-rounded place kicker, already having very good accuracy, and a knack for making the clutch kick. However, improving on leg strength, or kicking power is a lot harder said than done.

From what I’ve seen improving on accuracy is much more easily done, then attempting to add power (more of a talent). Due to this I see Ficken having to find a way onto a team via an NFL tryout/camp invite.

Next: 3. Kyle Brindza, Notre Dame