Among the few positives from the Oakland Raiders’ 2018 season has been the addition of Daniel Carlson, who’s proven to be their long-term kicker.
The Oakland Raiders have had a roller coaster 2018 season in Jon Gruden’s second go-around at he helm of the Silver and Black. The regular season was filled with many ups and downs, and as we look towards the 2019 season we’re left assessing the positives that hopefully will carry over into the next chapter.
There are far too many rooms for improvement but there has also been a few bright spots, and one of them has been the addition of Daniel Carlson. Ever since the departure of Sebastian Janikowski the Raiders have been searching for the next long term solution at the kicker position. From the beginning of the season it seemed like a carousel of tryouts for that role.
After releasing then kicker Matt McCrane, the Raiders signed Carlson back on October 23rd and haven’t looked back since. Carlson has been a perfect 18/18 on extra points a near perfect 16/17 on field goal attempts.
Most encouraging has been his consistency on field goals from long range: he’s gone 3/3 on field goals from 50 plus yards out, and has gone 8/9 on field goal attempts between 40 and 49 yards.
After being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2018 Draft, Carlson won the starting kicker job in the ensuing offseason. After a solid start to his rookie year, Carlson missed a field goal in regulation and one in overtime against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2. Carlson was waived the following day.
But ever since putting on the Raiders uniform Carlson has had a strong season and has proven to be one of the brighter spots for the Raiders. Jon Gruden at point iterated “He’s my favorite player,” with Carlson taking the humble route in response: “It’s about doing what I can to help the team win games.”
Carlson will be among the free agents for the Raiders this offseason, but given his performance this season and with the vocal seal of approval coming from Gruden, the Raiders should have no problem bringing him back as he’s proven to be their long-term solution at the kicker position. With so many holes left to fill during the rebuild, locking down your kicker should be a simple step in the right direction.