The Los Angeles Rams signed undrafted rookie kicker Tanner Brown a little over a month after former starter Matt Gay declared for free agency. Brown is expected to be the starter in 2023.
The Oklahoma State product was among the best kickers in college football in last season, hitting 22 of 23 field goal attempts (95.7 percent—third in FBS) while being fifth in average field goals per game (1.83) and seventh in points per game (9.0). Brown was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award.
Oklahoma State's offense was among the better scoring teams during Brown's tenure as the starter. Meanwhile, the Rams finished 27th in the NFL last season in points per game with 18.1. Los Angeles had several offensive injuries, but even when they were fully healthy, they struggled to put points on the board.
Should Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and company not convert on third down near the redzone or endzone, Brown could almost guarantee three points, as he converted all 16 field goal attempts last season anywhere from 19 to 39 yards. He was also very efficient from the 40- and 50- yard ranges, splitting the uprights 6 of 7 times.
In just two seasons as Oklahoma State's starter, Brown finished his career with the 15th-most points in school history (195). It's worth mentioning that everyone ahead of (and most behind) him played at least three years in an orange and black uniform.
Kickers are able to play in the NFL for much longer than most positions. At just 23-years-old, Brown's consistency at every range gives him a lot of potential for a lengthy future in Los Angeles.
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