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Commanders Would Be Wise to Draft a Kicker
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Commanders Would Be Wise to Draft a Kicker

Originally posted on The Lead  |  By James Duncan  |  Last updated Apr 18, 2025 4:53 PM ET

In 2024, the Washington Commanders’ kicking game was incredibly inconsistent.

Washington trotted out four different kickers this past season, and they made just 81% of their combined field goals. For the brand of close, dramatic football games that the Commanders play in, these stats are not good enough.

The Commanders’ Revolving Kicking Door

Austin Seibert took the majority of the kicks before being sidelined with a hip injury. He made 90% of his kicks (27/30) and made 91.7% (22/24) of his extra points.

While he was Washington’s most reliable kicker last season, he’s no longer under contract. His final impression wasn’t a good one either, missing a crucial game-tying extra point against Dallas in Week 12 that left a sour taste in the mouths of fans.

Zane Gonzalez is currently the starting kicker going into next season after signing a one-year, $1.17 million deal. Gonzalez took over place-kicking duties after Seibert’s injury. In six games, he made 71.4% (5 out of 7) of his field goals and made all of his extra points.

Gonzalez’s most famous moment as a Commander was sending the Commanders to the Divisional round with a game-winning kick against Tampa Bay, albeit in dramatic fashion.

Which kickers are available?

Drafting a kicker has become more common. In the past two drafts, six kickers were taken, four of whom were sixth-round selections.

As of right now, the Commanders have just five picks this year.

  • Round 1: No. 29 overall
  • Round 2: No. 61 overall
  • Round 4: No. 128 overall
  • Round 6: No. 205 overall
  • Round 7: No. 245 overall

It is unlikely that Adam Peters would even consider a kicker until the sixth-round pick, as the team has crucial holes at edge rusher and in the secondary.

Ryan Fitzgerald

Florida State’s Ryan Fitzgerald is regarded as the best kicker in this draft class. In 2024, he was a perfect 13/13 in field-goal attempts. He was also successful in all of his extra points. He impressed the world in Florida State’s first game against Georgia Tech, making both a 52 and 59-yard field goal.

Washington has had a private workout with Fitzgerald, so he is clearly on Peters’ radar.

Andres Borregales

Miami’s Andres Borregales was a busy man this past season thanks to the Hurricanes’ high-octane offense. He made 94.7% (18/19) of his field-goal attempts and made all 62 of his extra points. His longest kick in 2024 was a 56-yarder against Virginia Tech.

Borregales was Miami’s kicker for all four years of his collegiate career. He certainly has the larger sample size over Fitzgerald since Miami was able to get on its opponent’s side of the field much more often than Florida State.

Who does Washington pick?

This could very well be a 1A and 1B scenario for Peters if he decides to draft a kicker.

Fitzgerald or Borregales would bring in competition for Gonzalez, who needs to step up if he is the kicker for Washington in 2025. The world will find out what the Commanders do when the 2025 NFL Draft starts on April 24.

This article first appeared on The Lead and was syndicated with permission.

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