2013 NFL Draft: Kicker Rankings

The top 2013 kicker prospects available for the 2013 NFL Draft in the order in which I believe they will be drafted. * – denotes 2014 prospect. ** – denotes 2015 prospect.

This page was last updated April 23, 2013. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

By Charlie Campbell.
Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.

1. Caleb Sturgis, K, Florida
   Height: 5-11. Weight: 184.
   Projected Round (2013): 5-7.
   4/23/13: The first kicker to be selected will be either Sturgis or Hopkins. It is a coin flip as they are graded out equally.
   
   Sturgis made 24-of-28 field goals in 2012. He had clutch kicks in the season opener against Texas A&M to help the Gators win on the road 20-17. Sturgis was 3-for-3 against Tennessee.
   
   A few of Sturgis’ misses came at inconsequential times against Bowling Green, Jacksonville State and Kentucky. He had three field goals against Vanderbilt that were valuable in a 31-17 win. Sturgis was clutch in the regular-season finale, going three-for-three on field goals against Florida State in an 11-point road victory for the Gators.
   
   Sturgis was tremendous at the East-West Shrine. He was nailing kicks in the mid-50s with ease – straight down the middle. Sturgis had plenty of leg while showing a consistent motion to maintain accuracy. He had an impressive collegiate career and looks worthy of a draft pick on the third day of the 2013 NFL Draft.
   
   9/3/12: Sturgis kicked well in 2011, making 22-of-26 field goals and 31-of-31 extra points. He was a Second-Team AP All-American selection. Sturgis was injured for the majority of 2010, and he missed Florida’s game last year against Georgia with another injury.
   
   If Sturgis can stay healthy in 2012, he could be the best kicker in the nation. Sturgis was 22-of-30 on field goal attempts and 44-of-47 on extra points in 2009.





2. Dustin Hopkins, K, Florida State
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 190.
   Projected Round (2013): 5-7.
   4/23/13: It wouldn’t be surprising if Hopkins was the first kicker taken instead of Sturgis. Hopkins kicked well for the Seminoles and was 25-of-30 in 2012. He had two misses against Clemson early in the contest when Florida State was trailing. Hopkins made four-of-five field goals against Miami in the Seminoles’ 33-20 win. He finished the regular season well and is in a tough fight to be the first kicker selected. Hopkins kicked well at the Senior Bowl to keep it close with Sturgis.
   
   9/3/12: Dustin Hopkins has a strong leg. He has made field goals from 52 and 55 yards over the past few seasons. The junior was good on 22-of-27 (81 percent) field goal attempts last season. He made a 53-yarder against Clemson and drilled a 60-yarder in the spring game.
   
   Hopkins made 75 percent of his kicks in his first two years of college. He missed four extra points in 2010, so he’ll needs to work on his accuracy there. However, Hopkins’ big leg should constantly drill touchbacks in the NFL.



3. Quinn Sharp, P/K, Oklahoma State
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 205.
   Projected Round (2013): 6-FA.
   4/23/13: Sharp was 28-of-33 on field goals in 2012. In addition to kicking, he did well as a punter. Sharp was a kicker at the Senior Bowl and had a decent week. He may not get drafted, but would be a good training camp competitor.
   
   9/3/12: Sharp was a Third-Team All-America selection in 2011. He averaged 46.3 yards per punt with 12 downed inside the 20 last year. Sharp also served as Oklahoma State’s kicker and made 22-of-25 field goals, but did not attempt a kick in the 50-yard range. He has a strong and accurate leg, and led the nation with 61 touchbacks on kickoffs.
   
   It was his first year as the placekicker after being the Cowboys punter starting in 2009. He’s averaged 45.8 yards per punt in his career. Sharp could be drafted as a punter or kicker in 2013.





4. Matt Weller, K, Ohio
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 203.
   Projected Round (2013): 7-FA.
   4/23/13: Weller’s accuracy remained shaky in 2012. The senior was 23-of-31 this season. He had three misses against Norfolk State. Weller’s leg strength caused him to attempt longer kicks, but he needed to kick well in the team workouts. Weller probably will go undrafted.
   
   9/3/12: Weller was good on 25-of-34 attempts as junior last season. He made 11 of 14 field goal attempts in 2010, including a long of 51 yards. It was a disappointing season after a strong freshman campaign that saw him make 21 of 29 field goals. Weller needs to show better accuracy to get drafted in 2013.



5. Brett Maher, K, Nebraska
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 185.
   Projected Round (2013): FA.
   4/23/13: Maher was just okay in 2012. He was 20-of-27 with two misses against Southern Miss, one against UCLA, one against Idaho State and one against Wisconsin. Maher also served as the Cornhuskers’ punter and averaged 42 yards per punt.
   
   9/3/12: Maher made 83 percent of his field goals in 2011 (19-of-23). He was 43-of-44 on extra points. The accurate kicker made 16-of-17 field goals from inside 50 yards. It was Maher’s first season as the starting kicker after being a backup to Alex Henery the previous three years.



6. Ross Krautman*, K, Syracuse
   Height: 5-7. Weight: 155.
   Projected Round (2013): FA.
   4/23/13: Krautman was 15-of-23 in 2012, including a crucial miss in a 42-41 loss to Northwestern in the season opener. He had two misses in an eight-point loss to Rutgers.
   
   9/3/12: Krautman was very accurate as a freshman in 2010. He made 30-of-32 field goal attempts and was 18-of-19 on extra point tries. His longest field goal was 48 yards. Krautman made 15-of-19 field goals last year. Given his small stature, the leg strength concerns are going to have to be proven false.

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