3. Daniel Carlson – K
Rookie Stats (2018):
- 1/4 FGs, 6/6 XPs
Overall, Carlson’s first season in the NFL actually ended up turning out pretty well. It was just the part with the Vikings that didn’t work out that great.
The former Auburn kicker was basically doomed from the start when Minnesota selected him in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. From the second he was drafted, Carlson was immediately given the task of turning the Vikings’ kicking game around.
He basically had to perform perfectly in order to avoid any of the wrath from Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer, whose dislike for kickers has been high ever since Blair Walsh cost him a playoff win in 2015.
Unfortunately for Carlson, he picked the wrong game of the season to miss all three of his field goal attempts.
The Vikings rookie kicker had three chances to win the game for his team in their Week 2 matchup with the Green Bay Packers last season. But instead, Carlson couldn’t make any of his field goal attempts and Minnesota ended up settling for a tie with the Packers.
Shortly after the Vikings returned home from Green Bay, the team decided to just go ahead and cut the rookie kicker. Carlson lasted a whole two games as Minnesota’s kicker before he was sent packing.