7 free-agent kickers the Vikings could sign in 2023
By Nik Edlund
Riley Patterson
2022 Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Maybe the Vikings upgrade the kicker position by bringing back an old friend. Riley Patterson was an undrafted free agent of the Vikings back in 2021. He ended up getting injured and released with an injury settlement at the end of camp. He then dinked around the league for a bit, having stints with the Patriots and Lions before settling in Jacksonville in 2022.
He ended up kicking in 17 games for the Jaguars nailing 85.7 percent of his field goals and making all but one of his extra points. The longest attempt he hit was from 52 yards, so he has plenty of leg.
Patterson should be one of the cheaper options on the market because he doesn’t have that much experience. He’s only had one full season as a team’s kicker, not having anywhere the career attempts of some of the older options available.
Patterson has a lot of upside, as he’s just 23-years-old. If the Vikings want to go young and potentially find a long-term solution at the position, Patterson could be the route they choose.