GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers drafted two veteran kickers, Chad Ryland and Lucas Havrisik, on Tuesday, but no signings were made, according to a source.
Publicly, the Packers have thrown their support behind Narveson, the rookie with a strong leg but a penchant for hitting the ball to the right.
Through four weeks, Narveson is 9 of 13 on field goals. Among the 29 kickers who attempted at least six field goals, his 69.2 percent ranked 28th. Oddly enough, the player at the bottom of the list might be the best kicker in NFL history. Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens is 5 of 8 for 62.5 percent.
It’s possible the Packers brought in Ryland and Havrisik while putting together a roster ready should general manager Brian Gutekunst give up the player he claimed off waivers from Tennessee at the end of training camp.
Ryland was a fourth-round pick of the Patriots last year. Of the 31 kickers who attempted 20 field goals, he was the league’s worst at 64.0 percent, although he did make a 56-yarder to beat Denver. He only missed one extra point.
During training camp this summer, he lost a foot fight to Joey Slye. He made all five shots on goal during the preseason (four extra points, one basket).
Havrisik, an undrafted free agent in 2022, played in nine games for the Rams last year before being released at the end of the season. Of the 31 kickers with 20 field goal attempts, he was No. 29 in field goals (75.0%) and No. 30 in extra points (86.4%).
He spent a few days with the Browns during training camp this summer and appeared in the preseason finale, when he made all four field goals (three extra points, one field goal).
The crop of veteran kickers available is not strong. Riley Patterson, who failed to stick with a team despite making 88.1 percent of his field goal attempts in 39 games, it’s probably the best available.
Narveson missed four field goal attempts; no other kicker missed more than two. Including a miss at Tennessee that was overturned by a penalty, he missed five field goals. All have been on the right.
Despite his struggles, coach Matt LaFleur has made it clear that Narveson’s potential is too great to give up after just four games.
“I have a lot of confidence in Brayden. Yes,” LaFleur said after Narveson missed two field goals in a two-point loss to the Vikings on Sunday. “I know it’s difficult. We all want results. He’s a young guy, and a lot of times with young kickers, you go through that.
“Of course, I know he is disappointed, but I still have a lot of confidence in him. I have seen it in practice. I told you that from day one, the day he arrived here, and I saw his abilities. That’s just part of it and unfortunately it wasn’t his day, but I have a lot of confidence and I won’t blink if we have to put him in another situation.
LaFleur had the same message Monday.
“But I understand,” he said. “You have to go play, and we expect him to make those kicks as well. We have to make sure that we get that production and that his routine is good and he also has to be able to self-correct. If you miss one, you need to make sure you don’t make the same mistake twice.
The Packers chose Narveson over Greg Joseph, who was on the original 53-man roster. Joseph made 5 of 6 attempts (83.3%) in two games with the Giants.
Last year’s kicker, Anders Carlson, remains available. By the numbers, he was better last year than Ryland and Havrisik by ranking 23rd in field goals (81.8 percent).
More Green Bay Packers news
Our Consensus NFL Power Rankings transform eight national power rankings into one insanely awesome super-duper power ranking.
Here is where you will find the #Packersand what the experts say.https://t.co/IGFQVfm1TE
– Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) October 1, 2024
Consensus NFL Power Rankings | Packers at Rams games | Packers working on veteran running backs | Rams crushed by wounds | Three overreactions | Modest McKinney makes history | Latest Packers Injury News | What’s next at Kicker? | Packers’ Bulletin | Jordan Love was rusty back in the lineup | Lack of composure | Packers Stock Report
