Top 10 Best Kickers in NFL History: Legends of the Gridiron

Critical Consensus: Ranking the Best NFL Kickers

This critical consensus table showcases the achievements of top NFL kickers and also show the ranking of each player as highlighted by Athlon sports and Pro Football Hall of Fame.

SportsBoom MetaScale: Ranking the Greatest NFL Kickers

This ranking reveals the MetaScale score of the greatest NFL kickers, following the accumulation of scores for different metrics, specifically Field Goal Accuracy, Career Points, Clutch Points, and Longevity Records. 

Here is insightful information about the legacy of each of the above ranked NFL kickers. Learn about their career paths, accomplishments, accolades as well as prolific and iconic moments. 

Lou Groza//Getty Images

2. Lou Groza

Lou Groza was a placekicker for the Cleveland Browns and by the time of his retirement after the 1967 season, he was a points leader in kicking. He was with the Browns for 21 seasons and helped them win eight league champions in that period. 

Groza contributed greatly to placekicking, following his accuracy and strength in the specialty. He had a jaw-dropping ability to kick field goals from over 50 yards, at a time when making such attempts seemed like a mere dream. Groza mastered the art of kicking perfectly, making the Browns’ fans to joke about making field goals, as opposed to touchdowns, to earn points. 

Lou’s was a specialist in making field goals and in the 21 years that he was in the league, he accumulated 1,608 points and was known as the all-time top scorer. In summative, “The Toe,” as he was popularly known, was a placekicking artist with an ability that remained unmatched to any other pro player at the time. 

3. Morten Andersen

Morten Andersen, sensationally known as “the Great Dane” was drafted into the NFL in 1982 by the New Orleans Saints. His career spanned for 25 seasons, majorly with the Saints and Atlanta Falcons. 

This placekicker was extremely accurate in field-goals, as proven by an array of memorable kicks that he accumulated. For instance, in 2006, he made a game-winning field goal against the Vikings, sending Atlanta to its first Super Bowl. The 38-yard kick, Andersen grounded his already-impressive legacy and further reinforced his recognition as one of the best place kickers in NFL history. 

Andersen is also renowned for making some of the longest field goals in the league. In 1991, while playing against the Chicago bears, he drilled a 60-yard field goal, the fourth-longest in NFL history. Again in 1995, he unleashed a 59-yarder, that was marked as the longest in Falcon’s history. 

By the time he retired in 2007, Morten Andersen had made more than 565 field goals in over 382 games. He had amassed 2544 points, more than anyone in NFL history, at the time. Interestingly, Andersen upholds a record of being the second exclusive placekicker to become inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

4. Adam Vinatieri

Occasionally, Vinatieri has been referred to as the ‘GOAT’ kicker due to his relentless ability to make kicks under immense pressure. The all-time leading scorer with 2673 points in the regular season and 238 points in the playoffs has elevated his name by generating three of the most historic kicks in NFL history. He is also among the top-three kickers to make more than seven field goals in the Super Bowl. 

In his two seasons with the Colts, Vinatieri made 44 straight field goals. He holds the NFL record for field goals made (599), postseason points (238), and overtime field goals made (12). Vinatieri is also the only player to score 1,000 points for two different franchises. 

His game-winning kick in the final seconds of Super Bowl XXXVI earned the Patriots their first championship. He would again convert a final-second kick to win Super Bowl XXXVIII, thus establishing himself as a key contributor of the Patriots' dynasty.

Vinatieri was named in the National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019, before finally closing the curtain on his illustrious career in 2020, after 24 seasons on the gridiron.

5. George Blanda

George Blanda established a remarkable career in the NFL and is regarded a game-changer in place kicking. For a staggering 26 seasons, Blanda interchanged the quarterback and kicker positions. Part of his prolific moments as a kicker were during his tenure in the Raiders, where he made 156 field goals of 249 attempts. He accumulated 863 points for the Raiders, the second all-time in the franchise’s history.

Blanda was among the leading straight-on kickers in the NFL, who managed to convert 339 of 639 field goal attempts, making 943 of 959 extra point tries. He accumulated a total of 2,002 points, ranking him seventh in NFL history. His playoffs record comprises of 22 of 39 goals and a flawless 49 of 49 extra points for a cumulative 125 points. 

6. Stephen Gostkowski

Gostkowski was one of New England’s recognized kickers, beside Adam Vinatieri, who played during the Bill Belichick era. He began his NFL career after being drafted by the Patriots as a fourth-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. 

Gostkowski’s NFL record enshrines 479 consecutive extra points, 374 of 428 field goal attempts and 1,775 points. The three-time Super Bowl winner, four-time Pro-Bowl and two-time First-Team All-Pro holder’s longest field goal was 62 yards. He scored 500 points in his first four seasons, rendering him the second player in NFL history to do so. 

Although Gostkowski maintained a memorable NFL career, he did not accumulate significant prolific moments that would have pushed him further higher, above the ranks. Nonetheless, he remains one of the best NFL kickers. 

7. Gary Anderson

Gary Anderson holds the record for the most consecutive field goals for both the regular season and post-season, combined. The 65-year-old, who is also the first South African to appear in the NFL, represented the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburg Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings and the Tennessee Titans. 

His tenure with Vikings in 1998 saw him become the first NFL kicker to convert every field goal and extra point in the regular season. Anderson earned four Pro Bowl and two first team All-Pro honors. He was also named in the NFL's second All-Decade teams of the 1980s and 1990s, as well as in the Steelers All-Time Team.

8. Jason Hanson

Jason Hanson is among the most celebrated NFL players, recognized for his longevity and consistency as a placekicker. He played for an incredible 21 seasons with the Detroit Lions, making him a symbol of loyalty and dependability.

For over two decades with the Lions, Hanson made remarkable accomplishments. He raked 2,150 career points and 495 field goals, ranking him fourth in NFL history. He was excellent in making accurate goals while under intense pressure, accumulating over 52 career game-winning goals. Hanson’s longest field goal was 56 yards and by the time of retirement, he had played 327 games with the Lions. 

Hanson’s career longevity reflected unwavering commitment and durability that led to accurate long-range field goals, even when under pressure. Even though he never managed to get to the Super Bowl, his Loyalty to the Lions remains one of his career highlights.

9. Jason Elam

Jason Elam’s NFL career showcases him as an accurate, powerful, and prolific kicker who delivered successful field goals. He spent a large share of his time with the Denver Broncos, where he was productive, including contributing to the franchise’s two Super Bowl victories. His 17-seasoned career displayed his position as one of the legendary placekickers. 

At the time of his retirement, Jason Elam had achieved 1,983 career points and 436 field goals that demonstrated consistency and remarkable skill. In 1998, he dropped a 63-yard field goal that by then, was the longest in league history. 

Elam’s ability to establish a calm atmosphere when kicking established him as one of the most trusted placekickers in the league. The Three-Time Pro Bowler, Two-Time First-Team All-Pro and the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team member is cherished for record-setting kicking and the ability to remain consistent in a long-span career.

10. Matt Stover

Stover established his 20-year NFL career in different franchises, with his entry point in the league being the New York Giants, who picked him in the 12th round of the 1990 NFL draft. He did not spend time with the Giants; instead, he moved to Cleveland Browns in 1991and got a chance to kick start his career. 

In 1996, he joined the Baltimore Ravens and remained there for 14 seasons. While here, he meshed his identity with the franchise and nailed his place as a reliable kicker. He executed this position with accuracy and precision and as a result, generated some of his notable accomplishments. 

At retirement, he had achieved 83.7% career field goals, 2,004 career points, and 471 career goals. His clutch kick in Super Bowl XXXV contributed to the Raven’s victory. He stamped his legacy as a Two-Time Pro Bowler, a First-Team All-Pro and Ravens All-Time Leading Scorer. 

SportsBoom Suggests

Justin Tucker’s leading position is influenced by his unmatched accuracy, clutch moments, and historic milestones. On the other hand, legendary kickers lime Lou Groza and Morten Andersen have long-standing contributions that have influenced the evolution of kicking in the NFL. Adam Vinatieri, an exceptional clutch performer, is popular for his postseason heroics.