The Los Angeles Rams are heading into unfamiliar waters this offseason, needing to find a new kicker for the first time since 2012. Greg Zuerlein departed in free agency, signing with the Cowboys after eight years with the Rams.
The former sixth-round pick had a disappointing 2019 season with nine missed field goals, but he remains one of the best kickers in football. The Rams don’t have a replacement on their roster and the free-agent market isn’t exactly rich with quality options outside of Stephen Gostkowski, who the Patriots released this offseason.
Fans are worried about how the team will replace the man they call “Legatron,” and GM Les Snead isn’t exactly bursting with confidence, either.
“I would be lying if I said it’s not a concern,” Snead said on a conference call Monday.
The draft does have Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship available, who’s been one of the most reliable kickers in college football over the last few years. The Rams would probably prefer not to use one of their draft picks on a kicker, but based on the way Snead is talking, they’re looking for a long-term replacement, not a short-term fill-in.
“But we’re definitely diving into that part of the pool and in the process of hopefully finding someone similar to Greg – and by similar I mean someone that can be around a long time because with Greg, he had some superpowers. His ability to kick from 50-plus was a superpower that you can’t put that on just anyone,” Snead said.
As good as Zuerlein was for the Rams, he did struggle last season. He missed six of his 11 attempts from 40-49 yards, which is the most important distance for any kicker. His miss against the Seahawks as time expired in Week 5 was a turning point in the season, handing the Rams their second straight loss.
Snead knows the Rams weren’t good enough in that department last season and hopes to find more consistency in 2020.
“We weren’t as consistent kicking the football last year as in years past. With Greg, we definitely would’ve liked to have Greg back, but we weren’t able to get something done,” he said. “But we did know this: Going into this year, we needed to become a more consistent football team kicking field goals, especially from 40-49 range, and whoever that was going to be. Whether it was Greg or someone new, we were going to have to somewhat take a risk with and find out during the season how that part of the game was progressing.”
The Rams have time to find a kicker, and more will become available at some point this offseason; the Cowboys, for instance, have two kickers on their roster and will most likely wind up cutting Kai Forbath. But this isn’t a position they want to worry about all summer.