The Detroit Lions had two different kickers in 2023 – Riley Patterson and Michael Badgley. The two combined to make 19-of-21 field goals and 48-of-52 extra points. Badgley was re-signed, but Detroit will most likely look to add competition to that room as GM Brad Holmes has done each of the last three seasons.
Could it be time for the Lions to invest in a young player they can develop and who can be their kicker for the foreseeable future? There are a few good kicking prospects in this class who could be potential Day 3 picks.
Top 3 kickers to watch at the Combine:
1. Cam Little, Arkansas, 6-2, 179
Little is a tall kicker with a big leg. He was 20-for-24 on his field goal attempts this season but 4-for-5 from 50-plus. He never missed an extra point in college and had better than an 80 percent conversion percentage on field goals in all three seasons with the Razorbacks. His career field goal percentage of 82.8 shattered the school record previously held by Connor Limpert.
View photos of the offensive line prospects who were invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
Illinois offensive lineman Isaiah Adams (78) looks to make a block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 15-13. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Joe Alt (76) gets set during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Michigan offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart (52) plays against Indiana in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) lines up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe (50) blocks during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Houston in Manhattan, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Utah offensive lineman Keaton Bills (51) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
National offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini of Wisconsin (63) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Miami offensive lineman Javion Cohen (70) blocks while quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (9) takes the snap during the second half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
TCU offensive lineman Andrew Coker defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game between TCU and Texas, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas won 29-26. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
TCU offensive lineman Brandon Coleman (77) lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
National offensive lineman Ethan Driskell of Marshall (52) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
National offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun of Florida (65) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
East's Khalid Duke, of Kansas State, and West's Josiah Ezirim, of Eastern Kentucky, face off during the the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Penn State offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu (74) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu (55) lines up against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 35-28. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Notre Dame's Blake Fisher (54) lines up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee State on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Kentucky offensive lineman Jeremy Flax (77) plays against Ball State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Missouri offensive lineman Javon Foster (76) runs a play against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
West Virginia's Zach Frazier (54) is seen against Texas Tech during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Morgantown, W. Va. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Oregon State offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga follows a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)
Maryland offensive lineman Delmar Glaze (74) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Pittsburgh's Matt Goncalves (76) blocks during an NCAA football game against West Virginia on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Morgantown, W. Va. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Central Florida offensive lineman Tylan Grable (71) blocks against Baylor defensive lineman TJ Franklin, left, during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
West's Garret Greenfield, of South Dakota State, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oklahoma offensive lineman Tyler Guyton (60) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
West's CJ Hanson, of Holy Cross, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
American offensive lineman Christian Haynes of Uconn runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Michigan offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson (73) plays against Indiana in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Texas' Christian Jones (70) blocks against Louisiana-Lafayette during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Ohio State offensive lineman Matthew Jones plays during their NCAA college football Spring game Saturday, April 15, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Michigan offensive lineman Trente Jones looks to block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Michigan offensive lineman Trevor Keegan (77) blocks against the East Carolina in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Southern California offensive lineman Jarrett Kingston (52) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Arkansas offensive lineman Brady Latham (62) blocks Mississippi State linebacker J.P. Purvis (26) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham (65) sets up for a play against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Utah offensive lineman Sataoa Laumea (78) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
West's Matt Lee, of Miami, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Kansas State offensive lineman KT Leveston (70) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Arkansas offensive lineman Beaux Limmer (55) runs a play against Mississippi State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Boston College offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Syracuse, N.Y., Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
West's Mason McCormick, of South Dakota State, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Dylan McMahon (54) prepares to snap the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Georgia offensive lineman Amarius Mims (65) is shown against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Duke offensive lineman Jacob Monk (63) blocks during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (77) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
East's Hunter Nourzad, of Penn State, defends against the rush during the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Drake Nugent (60) blocks against UNLV in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Houston offensive lineman Patrick Paul (76) lines up against TCU during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
East's Julian Pearl, of Illinois, jogs off the field during the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
National offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson of Oregon runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Kansas offensive lineman Dominick Puni (67) looks to make a block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. Kansas won 28-21. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
American offensive lineman Andrew Raym of Oklahoma (73) during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Texas A&M offensive lineman Layden Robinson (64) blocks against Sam Houston State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Washington offensive lineman Roger Rosengarten (73) lines up against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 35-28. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
East's Walter Rouse, of Oklahoma, defends at the line of scrimmage during the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Michigan State center Nick Samac celebrates a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
BYU offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia, left, defends against Texas Tech defensive lineman E'Maurion Banks (98) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Louisiana offensive lineman Nathan Thomas (50) gets into his stance for a snap during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
LSU offensive lineman Charles Turner III (69) signals on the line during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Georgia offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran (63) plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Penn State offensive lineman Caedan Wallace (73) looks to block Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov.11, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Michigan offensive lineman Zak Zinter (65) blocks for quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
2. Will Reichard, Alabama, 6-1, 194
The NCAA's all-time career leader in points (547) earned SEC Special Teams Player of the Year honors for his performance in 2023. Reichard spent five seasons at Alabama and made 22 of his 25 field-goal attempts this past season with a long of 52.
3. Joshua Karty, Stanford, 6-2, 208
Karty possesses a great combination of leg strength and accuracy. He hit from 56 yards this past season and has a career long of 61 yards. He was 23-for-27 on field goals this past season and was 18-for-18 in 2022.
Combine sleeper to watch: Harrison Mevis, Missouri, 5-11, 243
The all-time scoring leader at Missouri is the fourth and final kicker invited to the Combine. He has a career long of 61 yards and also has two 56-yard makes under his belt. He was 24-for-30 on field goals this past season. His best season was in 2021 when he went 23-for-25.
Lions' need at the position: Moderate
Badgley was re-signed but it's likely the Lions will want both veteran and young talent to compete for the job in the fall. Whether the Lions draft a kicker or sign one after the draft, it seems reasonable to think Holmes and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp will have an eye out for a permanent, long-term solution to that position.
View photos of the Detroit Lions special teams from the 2023 NFL season.
Detroit Lions kicker Michael Badgley (17) kicks an extra point during an NFC Wild Card round football game against the Los Angeles Rams on January 14, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Michael Badgley (17) during an NFC Championship football game against the San Francisco 49ers on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3), Detroit Lions kicker Michael Badgley (17) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on January 7, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during a NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on December 3, 2023 in New Orleans. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on December 30, 2023 in Arlington. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) kicks off during an NFC Championship football game against the San Francisco 49ers on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) punts during a NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on December 3, 2023 in New Orleans. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42), Detroit Lions long snapper Jake McQuaide (43), Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46), Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3), and Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during a NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on December 16, 2023 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) during an NFC Divisional round football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 21, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during a NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on November 12, 2023 in Los Angeles. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) returns a punt during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on January 7, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) celebrates after converting on a fourth down try during a NFL football game against Kansas City Chiefs on September 7, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on December 30, 2023 in Arlington. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (21), Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44), Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13), Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46), Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25), and Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs (23) during a NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on December 16, 2023 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) returns a kick during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on January 7, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Key stat: Detroit's 90.5 made field goal percentage was 11th best in the NFL this past season, but the 21 field goal attempts were the lowest in the NFL. Their 19 makes were second fewest in the league.
Detroit opted to go for it on fourth down 40 times this past season with a conversion percentage of 52.5 (ranked 15th).
