Can Long Snapper Casey Kreiter Hold on to His Job?

Casey Kreiter, LS

Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 250 pounds
2022 Stats: GP 17 / GS 17, 1 assisted tackle

Many positions will be critically evaluated by the New York Giants this summer, but let’s not overlook one that is just as important and has been nearly static within the organization in recent years: long snapper.

Leading the helm at that spot for the past three seasons is Iowa native and fourth-year pro Casey Kreiter. A former multi-sport athlete in high school and University of Iowa product, Kreiter first entered the NFL in 2014 as an undrafted free agent, spending that summer and the following summer with the Dallas Cowboys.

But Kreiter kept at it, and following the 2018 season, Kreiter was named to the 2019 Pro Bowl. In 2016, he had his breakthrough with the Broncos, but he landed on injured reserve late that season. But Kreiter kept at it, and following the 2018 season, he was named to the 2019 Pro Bowl.

Kreiter, who in 2018 with the Broncos went 146 snaps without a miscue, signed with the Giants in April 2020 to replace veteran Super Bowl champion long snapper Zak DeOssie. Kreiter was named the team's long snapper and has consistently been available for the Giants’ specials teams snaps since then.

The Giants have re-signed Kreiter to several one-year contracts, including one this past spring. They must assess whether he will continue his consistency and reliability into the 2023 season.

Best Case Scenario

Like DeOssie, the Giants have not had to fret about availability or sharp execution when Casey Kreiter has been taking the long snaps. Minus one week of the 2020 season when he battled a brief bout of COVID-19, the 32-year-old has yet to miss any substantial time, allowing the franchise to be comfortable with their special teams execution.

It’s possible Kreiter’s main counterparts on special teams—punter Jamie Gillan and kicker Graham Gano—would also like to see him remain in their circle. While Gillan is only in his second season with the team, Gano has developed a connection with his long snapper, and that is part of the equation to the Giants boasting clean, persistent field goal operations.

Not everything was pretty in the punting game, but you can’t discount the value of having a veteran long-snapper who knows where to place the ball and how to give his teammate the best chance of getting it off.

Worst Case Scenario

The biggest issue with Casey Kreiter is his ability to be impactful once the ball has flown over his shoulders. In three seasons with the Giants, he has recorded just two downfield tackles and only seven total in his NFL career.

This summer, the Giants have also brought in another long snapper to compete with Kreiter, Cameron Lyons. Special teams coordinator Thoms McGaughey downplayed the idea of Lyons competing with Kreiter this year, but the Giants didn't bring in Lyons just for kicks.

Lyons, an undrafted free agent from Charlotte, was much more active in the success of his team’s punt defense, making one tackle last fall but helping the 49ers punt unit rank first in the conference in yards allowed per return. He also executed a perfect 36-of-36 on his field goal reps to become an honorable-mention All-American.

Kreiter? At times last year, his snaps were slow and off-target. A strong case could be made that last year was not his best season. If Lyons finds a way to make plays in camp and gain the coaching staff's attention, that could spell trouble for Kreiter. Sure, the Giants want consistency at long snapper, but who also doesn’t want a playmaker on the other end?

What to Expect in 2023

The Giants haven’t made many changes to their long-snapper position unless it was necessary. It’s hard to see them diverging from that trend this season, even with them bringing in Lyons, whom, again, McGaughey described as a developmental prospect.

Kreiter should emerge as the long snapper out of camp. If he stays healthy, this is one position the Giants won't have to worry about for the coming season.