Vikings Make the First Kicker Selection of the 2024 NFL Draft
Josh Frey
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It’s an infamous position throughout Minnesota Vikings history, and Minnesota came into the draft needing a new one.
Of course, we are talking about the kicker spot. With the 203rd overall pick, the Vikings have decided to take the first kicker off the board by bringing in Alabama’s Will Reichard.
Vikings Pick Alabama Kicker Will Reichard
Of course, the Vikings no longer have Greg Joseph in their locker room, who signed with the Green Bay Packers earlier this spring. Joseph spent the past three seasons kicking for the Vikings, signing in 2021 after Dan Bailey’s disastrous 2020 campaign.
Joseph saw struggles during the 2022 season, particularly from two very different areas: field goals from 50+ yards and XP attempts. He made just four of his 10 attempts from 50+ yards while missing a league-high six extra points.
Even still, Joseph never cost the Vikings a game with his kicking throughout the year, and he actually was a very clutch kicker. In Week 16 against the New York Giants, he hit a 61-yard game-winner to win the NFC North for the Vikings.
The kicker proceeded to put together a solid season in 2023. He missed just two extra points and made 24 of his 30 field goals. Now, he heads to the Vikings’ rivals and will kick against Minnesota twice during the 2024 season.
With Joseph’s free agency, Minnesota also brought in John Parker Romo, who thrived at the XFL level. As for Reichard, though, there are few collegiate kickers were thrown into the spotlight as often as he was throughout his career.
Reichard performed very well too. Throughout his career, he attempted 100 field goals and made 84 of them, including hitting 10 of his 13 attempts from 50+ yards.
Now, Reichard gets a chance to try and become the full-time place kicker for the Minnesota Vikings. The fifth-year senior turned 23 years old in January.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.