Analyzing Will Reichard: A Comprehensive Look at the Minnesota Vikings’ New Kicker
The Minnesota Vikings made a strategic move in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting Will Reichard, the kicker from Alabama, with the 203rd pick. Reichard, despite being ranked 283rd on the consensus board, was the second-ranked kicker available.
The Vikings’ hunt for a consistent and reliable kicker led them to this choice. Greg Joseph, the previous kicker whose contract expired, didn’t meet their long-term expectations. While Joseph’s performance wasn’t abysmal, it also didn’t rank among the top tier in the league. With a field goal success rate of 80% last season, he fell to 27th out of 33 kickers with at least 15 attempts. Additionally, his PFF grade placed him at 24th out of 33.
By drafting Reichard in the sixth round, the Vikings are placing their bets on him for the upcoming season. Historically, drafted kickers are expected to outshine their competition and secure the starting position.
Reichard’s college career at Alabama speaks volumes about his potential. He holds the record for the most points in NCAA history over five years, displaying an impressive 86% success rate on field goals (80/93) and a near-perfect record on extra points (274/275). Notably, he achieved a perfect score on 50+ yard attempts last season and boasts a 77% success rate on such attempts over the past four seasons.
Although there’s a noted weakness in his kickoff consistency, changes in kickoff rules should mitigate this concern. With strategies focusing on hang-time kicks in specific zones, Reichard should adapt well.
His experience in high-pressure situations at Alabama, coupled with endorsements from evaluators and teammates, underscores his maturity and reliability.
Overall, Reichard’s college stats and scouting reports position him as a promising candidate to fill the Vikings’ longstanding need for a consistent kicker. With his track record, he’s a safer bet than most to deliver in crucial moments.
Below are his college stats over the last four seasons at Alabama and a summary of scouting reports:
**College Stats:**
– Field Goals: 86% (80/93)
– Extra Points: 99.6% (274/275)
– 50+ Yard Field Goals: 10/13 (77%)
**Scouting Reports:**
– Strengths: Consistent accuracy, high success rate on short and long kicks, experience in high-pressure games.
– Weaknesses: Limited leg strength for booming kicks, occasional inconsistency in kickoff depth.
With this analysis, the Vikings hope Reichard will be the solution to their kicker conundrum for the foreseeable future.
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