6 free-agent kickers the Vikings could sign in 2021
By Chris Schad
Daniel Carlson
2020 Team: Las Vegas Raiders
The Vikings traded up to select Daniel Carlson in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Things started well when he beat out Kai Forbath to win the starting job in training camp, but a rough performance in his third preseason game started a fast downfall in Minnesota.
Carlson made a field goal in the Vikings’ 2018 regular-season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, but then he imploded against the Green Bay Packers during the following week. With three missed field goals against the Packers, Carlson was quickly out of a job.
After eventually signing with the Raiders, Carlson found the form that made him one of the top kicking prospects in the 2018 draft. Carlson has converted 87.2 percent of his field goals since landing with Las Vegas and has only missed four extra points during his three-year career.
A Carlson reunion tour may help Minnesota solve their kicking woes, but it’s unlikely to happen. Not only will Carlson receive a large salary, but the Vikings would also have to mend fences with him after giving up on him after just two games.
With Carlson also struggling a bit during the 2019 season, it might be best if both sides stayed apart.