With Michael Badgley headed toward unrestricted free agency, it's worth taking a look at the kickers in this year's NFL Draft as the Lions could be in the market to draft one for the first time since Nate Freese in the seventh round in 2014.
Top 5 kickers to watch at the Combine:
1. Jake Moody, Michigan, 6-1, 210
Moody was one of the more accurate kickers in college football over the last couple seasons and also possesses a big leg to boot. He made 29 of 35 field goal attempts (83 percent) this past season after hitting 23-of-25 attempts (92 percent) in 2021. He hit from 59 yards as a long this past season.
2. Christopher Dunn, NC State, 5-8, 179
The highest scoring player in Wolfpack history, Dunn has an accurate and powerful leg. He was a combined 44-of-50 kicking field goals the last two seasons.
View photos of the tight end prospects who were invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
Clemson tight end Davis Allen celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Purdue tight end Payne Durham, right, is pursued by Syracuse defensive back Duce Chestnut during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
North Dakota State guard Nash Jensen (66), tackle Dillon Radunz (75), and tight end Noah Gindorff (87) block for quarterback Trey Lance (5) against Central Arkansas in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Fargo, N.D. North Dakota State won 39-28. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) lines up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft (85) makes a catch in the second half of an NCAA college football game in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Bozeman, Mont. Montana State won 31-17. Tommy Martino)
Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta (84) tries to catch a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Alabama tight end Cameron Latu (81) rush with the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Alabama won 30-24. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Miami tight end Will Mallory (85) runs with the ball while pursued by Clemson safety Andrew Mukuba (1) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer (87) runs past Boston College defensive back Jaiden Woodbey (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave (88) prepares to block Washington State defensive back Armani Marsh (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Air Force tight end Kyle Patterson, right, gestures that his pass catch earned enough yardage for a first down as wide receiver Jake Spiewak, center, and New Mexico safety Tavian Combs look on in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Michigan tight end Luke Schoonmaker scores a touchdown against Indiana during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Penn State tight end Brenton Strange (86) runs Minnesota during their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Cincinnati tight end Leonard Taylor (11) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kennesaw State Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Nebraska's Travis Vokolek runs in a 56-yard reception for a touchdown against Illinois during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Georgia tight end Darnell Washington (0) makes a catch past Vanderbilt cornerback BJ Anderson (26) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)
Wake Forest tight end Blake Whiteheart (85) catches a touchdown pass against Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson (22) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle (81) in action during an NCAA college football game against Temple, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
Oklahoma tight end Brayden Willis (9) celebrates after catching a pass in the end zone for a 2-point conversion during the second half against Florida State in the Cheez-It Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
3. Jack Podlesny, Georgia, 5-10, 190
Podlesny never converted less than 81 percent of his field goal tries in three seasons at Georgia. He was a perfect 3-for-3 kicking from 50-plus yards this past season and only missed 13 field goals total the last three seasons combined.
4. Chad Ryland, Maryland, 6-0, 183
Ryland attempted 15 field goals of 50-plus yards over the last five seasons and made nine of those. Ryland was just 12-of-20 on his field goals this past season, his worst percentage of his career, and was just 2-for-8 from 30-39 yards, which in the NFL has to be pretty automatic.
5. Anders Carlson, Auburn, 6-5, 215
His best season came in 2020 when he hit on 20 of his 22 field goal attempts. But for his career, Carlson has just a 71.8 percent (79-of-110) conversion rate on field goals and hasn't made one from 50-plus since 2020.
Combine sleeper to watch: B.T. Potter, Clemson, 5-10, 200
Over a five-year career for the Tigers, Potter made nine of his 13 attempts from 50-plus yards and was 20-of-26 and 21-of-26 overall kicking field goals the last two seasons.
View photos of the offensive line prospects who were invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
TCU offensive lineman Alan Ali (56) lines up against West Virginia during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Kathleen Batten)
National offensive lineman Jake Andrews of Troy (77) during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Oregon offensive lineman Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu (71) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
TCU center Steve Avila (79) during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game against Michigan, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington offensive lineman Henry Bainivalu is pictured during an NCAA football game against Kent State on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Seattle. Washington won 45-20. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Oregon offensive lineman T.J. Bass (56) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Syracuse offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron (60) lines up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022 in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Houston defensive lineman Derek Parish (0) is blocked by Kansas offensive lineman Earl Bostick Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Mississippi offensive lineman Nick Broeker (64) prepares for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Mississippi won 35-27. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
LSU offensive lineman Anthony Bradford (75) celebrates after a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. LSU won 65-17. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
National offensive lineman McClendon Curtis of UT- Chatanooga (52) during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Utah offensive lineman Braeden Daniels (71) prepares to block during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Maryland offensive lineman Jaelyn Duncan (71) looks to block against Penn State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Alabama offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor Jr. (55) lines up to block against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Oregon offensive lineman Alex Forsyth prepares to snap the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
BYU offensive lineman Blake Freeland (71) looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
UCLA offensive line Jon Gaines II (57) walks off the field before an NCAA college football game between UCLA and Stanford Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
Baylor offensive lineman Connor Galvin looks to make a block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Ames, Iowa. Baylor won 31-24. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Florida offensive lineman Richard Gouraige (76) looks to block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
South Carolina offensive lineman Jovaughn Gwyn (54) looks to block against Florida defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Oklahoma offensive lineman Anton Harrison (71) looks to block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Ames, Iowa. Oklahoma won 27-13. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Michigan tackle Ryan Hayes plays against Penn State in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Ohio State offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (77) looks for someone to block against Penn State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Georgia offensive lineman Broderick Jones (59) lines up for a play during an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Ohio State offensive lineman Dawand Jones plays against Rutgers during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Washington offensive lineman Jaxson Kirkland (51) prepares to block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Kentucky offensive lineman Tashawn Manning celebrates a Kentucky touchdown against Louisville during the second half an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
National offensive lineman Cody Mauch of North Dakota State (70) runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Georgia offensive lineman Warren McClendon (70) plays against Tennessee during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. against Georgia won 41-17. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Clemson offensive tackle Jordan McFadden (71) sets up to block during the second half of the Cheez-It Bowl NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
American offensive lineman Wanya Morris of Oklahoma (64) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Boise State offensive lineman John Ojukwu (70) prepares for the rush by Tennessee-Martin linebacker Giovanni Davis (8) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 30-7. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
FILE - Michigan award-winning center Olusegun Oluwatimi plays during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Oluwatimi lost three friends and former teammates at Virginia and four days later, his father had surgery to remove a brain tumor. Oluwatimi endured the heartache and finished off a season that were better than his dreams. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson (55) blocks on a running play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina offensive lineman Asim Richards (72) blocks during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Appalachian State , Saturday Sept. 3, 2022, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)
Old Dominion offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri (64) pass blocks during an NCAA college football game on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz plays during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Penn State offensive lineman Juice Scruggs (70) celebrates a touchdown by Mitchell Tinsley during the first half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski blocks in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Steen (54) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Arkansas offensive lineman Ricky Stromberg (51) gets ready to run a play against Alabama during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Tippmann (75) gets set to snap the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Florida offensive lineman O'Cyrus Torrence (54) at the snap during an NCAA football game against Utah on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Gainesville, Fla. Florida defeated Utah 29-26. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Southern California offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees (72) looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Arkansas offensive lineman Dalton Wagner (78) celebrates the team's 42-27 win over Mississippi during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Pittsburgh's Carter Warren plays during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Kalamazoo, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) prepares to block during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Ohio State offensive lineman Luke Wypler plays against Michigan during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Lions' need at the position: High
Free agency comes before the draft and the Lions will likely sign a veteran, whether that's Badgley or someone else. Then Lions general manager Brad Holmes will have to decide if taking a player like Moody on Day 3 of the draft to compete with that veteran in training camp makes sense.
Badgley was 24-of-28 kicking field goals and a perfect 33-for-33 on extra points, but he doesn't have a huge leg. That's really the only knock on him. Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp appreciated the consistency and calming effect Badgley brought to the position after some early-season inconsistency from others in that role. Still, if the Lions can find a youngster with a bigger leg who is an upgrade, that's a win.
Key stat: Detroit's overall field goal make percentage of 80 percent (24-for-30) ranked 26th in the NFL this past season ahead of only Minnesota (78.8), Denver (77.8), Pittsburgh (77.3), Cleveland (75.0), Kansas City (75.) and New Orleans (74.2).
