We look at three potential kickers the 49ers could sign, and layout Kyle Shanahan’s comments about the decision to add a veteran kicker and what that means for a Jake Moody competition this summer
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was talking about his team’s depth Tuesday morning and where there will be competition. Left guard came up. Shanahan said losing Aaron Banks will be challenging, but Nick Zakelj, Ben Bartch, and Matt Hennessey will all compete to replace Banks.
Shanahan was then asked, “What about kicker? Will you bring in a veteran kicker in to compete with Moody?” Here’s Kyle’s answer:
“We’re going to bring somebody else in. We weren’t going to go out and sign a guy right away in free agency. I know Brant [Boyer, special teams coordinator] and Colt [Anderson, assistant special teams] are looking into some kickers at some of these kicking camps and throughout college and stuff. But we’d more likely like to add a veteran and hopefully get him in here after draft time.”
As we stated on Monday, when Jim Harbaugh was talking about Moody, he doesn’t miss in practice. So how could you create a similar pressure situation for somebody who struggles in the game, when it matters, but not as much in a laid back, non-pressure-filled moment at practice? Here’s what Shanahan said:
“You have them compete every day in practice. You get preseason games. That’s about all you can do. But I think when you bring in a guy, and make it serious competition, which it will be, and he knows he’s got to bring a veteran kicker out, as long as we bring in a guy who is capable of taking that job, and Jake respects him, that’s what puts pressure on him.
You have to respect the guy you’re going against. And he does have to beat him out at practice. Yeah, the games will happen once the season starts, but the preseason will be there. When your job is on the line doing something, going against someone who is as talented, you do feel that pressure. I do believe that if he can overcome that and beat out a capable guy, then that’ll show us he’s ready for the season.”
Shanahan said the plan is to sign a kicker once the draft has concluded. That likely rules out any undrafted free agent rookies and a player with experience at the NFL level.
Veteran options at kicker for the 49ers
SB Nation ranked the top free agent kickers, with the majority still available. The most obvious answer is Nick Bolk, who led the NFL in kicking percentage over the past two years. The Tennessee Titans did not re-sign the 40-year-old kicker this past offseason.
Folk played on a one-year deal worth $3.75 million in 2024. He made 95 percent of his kicks, including 8-of-9 from 40+ yards and 6-of-6 from 50+ yards. Folk also did not miss a point after attempt. Folk was equally as effective in 2023, making nearly 97 percent of his kicks, and only had one miss from 40+ yards in 12 attempts.
Matt Prater, who will be 41 before the season begins, missed much of the 2024 season after tearing the meniscus in his plant leg for the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5. Prior to injury, Prate was 16-of-16, including 4-for-4 on 40+ yard attempts. However, he was not as consistent in 2023, making 84 percent of his kicks and going 15-for-19 on 40+ yards.
The final option that would make the most sense for the Niners is Eddy Pineiro, who is coming off a three-year stint with the Carolina Panthers. He made 22-of-26 field goals in 2024, but only at two attempts from 50 + yards — he made one of two. Pineiro went 6-of-8 from 40-49 yards.
In 2023, Pineiro had a larger sample size from a distance. He made 25 of 29 field goals on the season, but went 7-for-9 from 40-49 yards and 5-of-7 from 50+. It’s worth noting that Pineiro missed five extra points in three seasons with Carolina.
Those three are the likeliest competitors for Moody this summer.