Kickers may not always get the spotlight, but their impact on the game is undeniable. Whether nailing clutch game-winners, setting records, or delivering under pressure, the best kickers in NFL history have proven time and again that their role is anything but minor.
From long-range specialists to models of consistency, these players have left a lasting mark on the sport. Here’s a look at the top 15 NFL kickers who turned precision and ice-cold nerves into legendary careers.
15. Robbie Gould: Mr. Automatic
Robbie Gould retired in 2023 as one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history. With an 85.5% career field goal percentage, he ranks 9th all-time. Gould never missed a postseason kick, going 29-for-29 on field goals and 39-for-39 on extra points. He finished as the 10th all-time leading scorer with 1,961 points over his 18-year career.
14. John Carney: Two Decades of Excellence
John Carney’s NFL career spanned an impressive four decades, from 1988 to 2010. He ranks fifth in NFL history with 2,062 points scored and 478 field goals made. Carney’s accuracy was remarkable, converting 82.4% of his field goal attempts. He earned two Pro Bowl selections and was part of the New Orleans Saints’ Super Bowl-winning team in 2009 as a kicking consultant.
13. Sebastian Janikowski: The Polish Cannon
Sebastian Janikowski, nicknamed “The Polish Cannon,” played 19 NFL seasons, primarily with the Oakland Raiders. He holds the NFL record for most field goals of 50+ yards (55) and tied the then-record for longest field goal (63 yards) in 2011. Janikowski retired in 2019 as the Raiders’ all-time leading scorer with 1,799 points.
12. Nick Lowery: The Chief’s Scoring Machine
Nick Lowery dominated as the Kansas City Chiefs’ kicker from 1980-1993. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, he retired as the NFL’s most accurate kicker and all-time field goal leader. Lowery remains the Chiefs’ all-time leading scorer with 1,466 points and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2009.
11. Matt Stover: Baltimore’s Unsung Hero
Matt Stover’s 20-year NFL career was indeed defined by consistency and clutch performances. He ranks fourth all-time in scoring with 2,004 points and holds the record for most consecutive games with a field goal (38). Stover’s precision was crucial to the Baltimore Ravens’ success, including their Super Bowl XXXV victory in 2001.
10. Jason Elam: Mile-High Accuracy
Jason Elam’s 17-year NFL career was indeed marked by exceptional accuracy and longevity. He scored 1,983 points, including 436 field goals, and maintained a remarkable 80.7% field goal success rate. Elam shared the record for the longest field goal in NFL history at 63 yards at the time of his retirement and won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos.
9. Jason Hanson: Detroit’s Loyal Leg
Jason Hanson spent his entire 21-year career with the Detroit Lions, setting NFL records for most seasons and games played with one team. He scored 2,150 points and made 495 field goals, including 52 from 50+ yards. Hanson’s accuracy and longevity make him one of the most reliable kickers in NFL history.
8. Gary Anderson: Mr. Consistency
Gary Anderson’s 23-season NFL career was indeed marked by remarkable consistency and longevity. He ranks third in NFL history for points scored (2,434), field goals made (538), and games played (353). In 1998, Anderson became the first kicker to achieve a perfect regular season, converting all 35 field goal attempts and 59 extra points.
7. Stephen Gostkowski: New England’s Reliable Foot
Stephen Gostkowski was indeed the Patriots’ all-time leading scorer, with 1,775 points over 14 seasons. He led the NFL in scoring five times, including four consecutive seasons from 2012 to 2015. Gostkowski holds the NFL record for consecutive extra points made with 523. His career field goal accuracy was 87.4%, which ranks him among the most precise kickers in league history.
6. Jan Stenerud: First Pure Kicker in the Hall of Fame
Jan Stenerud indeed revolutionized kicking in the NFL and became the first pure placekicker inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His career spanned 19 seasons, during which he scored 1,699 points and made 373 field goals. Stenerud’s accuracy and long-range ability set new standards for kickers, earning him six Pro Bowl selections, including two AFL All-Star games.
5. George Blanda: The Dual-Threat Pioneer
George Blanda indeed revolutionized football as a quarterback and kicker during his 26-season career. He scored 2,002 points, including 335 field goals, which is accurate. Blanda’s versatility was indeed prominent with the Raiders, where he led the AFL in scoring in 1967 with 116 points. His remarkable five-game run in 1970 at age 43 did cement his legendary status.
4. Lou Groza: The Toe That Revolutionized Kicking
Lou “The Toe” Groza indeed revolutionized kicking in the NFL during his 21-season career with the Cleveland Browns. He did kick the game-winning field goal in the 1950 NFL Championship, a 16-yard kick with 28 seconds left to defeat the Los Angeles Rams 30-28. Groza’s accuracy and strength significantly influenced the development of place-kicking as a specialty.
3. Morten Andersen: The Great Dane
Nicknamed “The Great Dane,” Morten Andersen played an astounding 25 NFL seasons, setting records for games played (382) and points scored (2,544). He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and made the NFL’s 1980s and 1990s All-Decade Teams. Andersen’s powerful left leg and remarkable longevity earned him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
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2. Justin Tucker: Precision Personified
Justin Tucker, the Baltimore Ravens’ kicker since 2012, holds the NFL record for the longest field goal (66 yards) and career field goal percentage (90.5%). A seven-time Pro Bowler, Tucker has consistently demonstrated exceptional accuracy and clutch performance, making him one of the most reliable kickers in NFL history.
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1. Adam Vinatieri: The Clutch Master
Adam Vinatieri, the NFL’s all-time leading scorer with 2,673 points, is renowned for his clutch performances. He kicked game-winning field goals in two Super Bowls for the Patriots and holds records for field goals made (599) and postseason points (238). Vinatieri’s 24-season career with the Patriots and Colts solidified his status as one of the greatest kickers ever.
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