The Saints' kicker spot has been an open question all preseason, and now it's got a serious new candidate. Jordan Schultz reported the team is signing 2x All-Pro Daniel Carlson, fresh off his run in Las Vegas, giving New Orleans a name with real credentials to throw into the mix.
Carlson didn't get released — he hit free agency back in March after his Raiders deal expired, and the market moved slowly for him. He was reportedly still unsigned deep into the offseason despite career numbers that hold up against almost anyone at the position: 88% on field goals and better than 95% on extra points across 8 NFL seasons, all with Las Vegas.
What actually makes him a fit for Saints special teams is the leg strength. Schultz's report pointed out Carlson connected on 34 field goals of 50+ yards during his Raiders tenure, including 5 last season alone — that's the kind of range that flips field position and steals points New Orleans hasn't reliably had.
This isn't a guaranteed job, though. New Orleans reportedly has neither Charlie Smyth nor Tanner Brown locked in after the first two preseason games, which is exactly why Carlson's phone rang. At 31, he's not walking in as a lock — he's walking in as the most proven leg in an otherwise unsettled competition, and the Saints clearly want him to force the issue in camp.
For a team trying to tighten up the margins in a division that's been decided by field goals more than once, adding a kicker who's already hit a 60-yarder in a real game changes the calculus. Expect this competition to run right up until roster cuts, with Carlson's résumé giving him the early edge.