2009 NFL Draft: Kicker Rankings

The top 2009 kicker prospects available for the 2009 NFL Draft in the order in which I believe they will be drafted.

This page was last updated April 24, 2009.

2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

Graham Gano, Florida State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 195.
Projected Round (2009): 4-5.
1/15/09: Quickly becoming one of the nation’s sharpest kickers, Graham Gano nailed 24-of-26 field goals in 2008, including 5-of-5 from 40-49 and 5-of-7 from 50-plus.
David Buehler, USC
Height: 6-2. Weight: 227.
Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
Louie Sakoda, Utah
Height: 5-10. Weight: 178.
Projected Round (2009): 6-7.
1/15/09: Doubling as an effective punter, Louie Sakoda was 22-of-24 for national champion Utah, including 2-of-3 from 50-plus and 6-of-7 from 40-49.

5/26/08: Louie Sakoda’s punt average (44.8) was good for eighth in the nation. Sakoda was 10-of-13 from beyond 40 yards on field goal attempts, so his versatility will be attractive to some teams.
Jose Martinez, UTEP
Height: 5-10. Weight: 200.
Projected Round (2009): 7-FA.
1/15/09: JOse Martinez couldn’t hit a 50-yarder to save his life (1-of-7)… but he nailed a 64-yard attempt! Inside 50, Martinez was 19-of-20.

5/26/08: Jose Martinez has a powerful leg; he nailed a 57-yarder in 2007. He was 9-of-11 from 40-plus.
Colt David, LSU
Height: 5-9. Weight: 173.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
1/15/09: Colt David continued to excel from long distance, nailing 4-of-6 attempts from 50-plus. He was 16-of-21 overall.

5/26/08: Colt David missed three field goals inside 40 yards, but he was 6-of-10 from beyond that distance, hitting a long of 49. It should be noted that all four of David’s misses from 40-plus came on or before Oct. 9. He was clutch down the stretch.
Pat McAfee, West Virginia
Height: 6-1. Weight: 221.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
1/15/09: Pat McAfee missed on just three field goals all year (17-of-20) and only one from beyond 40. He nailed both of his 50-plus tries.
Swayze Waters, UAB
Height: 6-0. Weight: 173.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
1/15/09: Swayze Waters took a bit of a step backward, but was still a solid 7-of-11 from beyond 40.

5/26/08: Swayze Waters was pretty much automatic from long distance in 2007, hitting 8-of-10 from 40-49 and 3-of-4 from 50-plus (long of 52). Waters doubled as the team’s punter and was pretty effective in that role.
Sam Swank, Wake Forest
Height: 6-2. Weight: 206.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
1/15/09: Sam Swank’s production really fell off in his senior year; he was just 11-of-17 on his tries, and failed to hit a 50-yarder.

5/26/08: Sam Swank nailed every attempt within 40, and was 5-of-8 from beyond that distance, including 2-of-3 from 50-plus. Most impressive is the fact that Swank is 9-of-12 from 50-plus in his career (thanks, Matt). It should be noted, however, that Matt McGuire got that stat from ESPN, so it may not be correct. That’s a reference from the 28 Errors Found in the 2008 ESPN Fantasy Football Magazine.
Austin Starr, Indiana
Height: 6-2. Weight: 205.
Projected Round (2009): FA.
1/15/09: Fell off the map, hitting just 10-of-17 attempts, including 3-of-7 from beyond 40.

5/26/08: Austin Starr’s career long is only 49 yards, but he was 10-of-11 from beyond 40 in 2007.