49ers create real competition by signing veteran to push former draft pick who hasn’t lived up to expectations

Joseph is entering his eighth NFL season after beginning his career as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins in 2018. Amazingly, the 49ers will be the 12th franchise he has been under contract with. Joseph has also spent time in the XFL.

Despite being bounced around the league, Joseph has been pretty solid when given opportunities. He has a career 82.3 field goal percentage, and 90.8 on extra points. His best season came in 2021 with the Minnesota Vikings, as he connected on 33-38 FG attempts.

Joseph has struggled a bit with long distance FGs, converting 17 of 30 attempts from 50 or more yards. He is 27-38 on kicks between 40-49 yards, and 72-73 from inside 40 yards. Joseph was 6-7 overall last season in one game with the Washington Commanders, one game with the New York Jets, and six games with the New York Giants.

The experience Joseph brings will make for good competition with Moody. After a really solid rookie season in 2023, Moody regressed in 2024, missing 10 FGs. He also missed three games in the middle of the year with a high ankle sprain. Moody finished the season connecting on just two of six attempts in San Francisco's final three games.

The 49ers may be more willing to be patient with Moody had they not spent a third-round draft pick on him. Moody is only the fifth kicker since 2000 to be selected in the first three rounds. Perhaps Joseph coming in will be the boost that Moody needs, but if Joseph ends up beating him out, it will be a bad look on San Francisco.