Auburn in the NFL: Cam Newton looking good, Kerryon Johnson battling for No. 1
By Rob Maxwell
K Daniel Carlson, Minnesota
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Daniel Carlson in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. To Auburn football fans, that’s no surprise that Carlson was drafted that high even though he’s a kicker.
He’s in Vikings camp competing with six-year NFL veteran kicker Kai Forbath. Forbath spent the last two seasons in Minnesota. In 2016, he played in five games and hit all 15 of his field-goal attempts. Last season he made 32 of 38. But Forbath missed three extra points in 2016 and five more last season.
You don’t draft a kicker in the fifth round without plans to get him on the field.
It sounds like Carlson has been impressive early and that the battle to be the team’s kicker won’t be decided before the exhibition games begin for the Vikings.
Mike Priefer on kicking situation:
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) July 29, 2018
-Kai Forbath & Daniel Carlson were "neck and neck" all spring. Carlson very good on kickoffs, working on being more consistent on FG
-Kicking competition expected to go through first couple preseason games, potentially longer
A few observations from Courtney Cronin’s observations:
- Without a doubt, Carlson is very good on kickoffs. That became a huge asset for Auburn football during his tenure as it was rare that any kick returner had the opportunity to return one of his kickoffs.
- If there’s one thing Carlson is not afraid of, it’s work. With tighter goal posts, you can bet Carlson was putting in the extra time long before training camp arrived. If he wins the kicking competition (which we expect to happen), he’ll have earned it.
Here’s video of Carlson discussing his first training camp practice and his relationship with Forbath.
“I would say excitement,” Carlson told reporters. “I think part of kicking is pressure and nerves and you have to deal with that. You kind of got to love it.”