Breaking Down Will Reichard

A deep dive into the Vikings’ new kicker

With the 203rd pick (sixth-round) in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Will Reichard, kicker, Alabama. Reichard was ranked 283rd on the consensus board and the second-ranked kicker.

Top-Line Assessment

The Vikings have been looking for a consistent, reliable kicker for as long as I can remember. Greg Joseph, whose contract ended after last season and the Vikings did not pursue in free agency, wasn’t terrible- but he wasn’t among the top half of kickers in the league either. He made 80% of his field goals last season, which ranked 27th of 33 kickers with at least 15 field goal attempts. He ranked 24th of 33 in PFF grade.

So, in drafting Will Reichard in the sixth-round, the Vikings are betting on Reichard being their kicker this year. Drafted kickers are expected to beat out their competition and win the starting job.

You can see why the Vikings elected to spend a late-round draft pick on Reichard. He ended his college career at Alabama with the most points in NCAA history over a five-year career with the Crimson Tide. Over his last four seasons at Alabama, he made 86% (80/93) of his field goal attempts, and 99.6% of his extra point attempts (274/275). He also made all of his 50+ yard attempts last season (5/5) and is 10/13 (77%) on 50+ yard attempts over the last four seasons.

One weakness cited is he isn’t as consistent on getting touchbacks on kickoffs, but given the new kickoff rules this season, that is no longer an issue. Presumably getting more hang-time on kicks in the ‘landing zone’ between the 20-yard line and the goal line will be the objective, allowing coverage players more time to get to the kick returner before he has a chance to do much. If the kick first lands in the end zone, the receiving team can either return it or (more likely) kneel for a touchback which comes out to the 30-yard line. Another possibility is more of a line drive kick that lands in the landing zone but skips into the end zone, which would result in a touchback that comes out to the 20-yard line. Either way, Reichard shouldn’t have a problem with kickoff objectives like this.

Coming from Alabama, he’s been in a lot of big games and high-pressure situations and was able to deliver under-pressure consistently. He is described as mature by evaluators, and a ‘cold-blooded sniper’ by teammate Dallas Turner.

Overall, Reichard’s resume is about as good as you can ask for coming out of college, and a better bet than most to become that consistent, reliable kicker the Vikings have been looking for.

College Stats

Over his last four seasons at Alabama, Reichard made 86% (80/93) of his field goal attempts, and 99.6% of his extra point attempts (274/275). He also made all of his 50+ yard attempts last season (5/5) and is 10/13 (77%) on 50+ yard attempts over the last four seasons.

Below is his record over each season at Alabama from different field goal ranges, with the top row being the 2023 season, the lower rows being previous seasons- 2022, 2021, etc., and the bottom line in bold his record over his five seasons at Alabama.

PFF

Reichard’s overall PFF grade each season at Alabama, along with his extra point record and overall field goal record.

PFF

Reichard’s record on kickoffs:

PFF

Scouting Reports

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

Overview

Highly experienced in high-level matchups inside the SEC and in the College Football Playoff. Reichard kicks with consistent lift. He’s as close to automatic as you will find under 40 yards and can make 50-plus yard kicks with a high success rate but has average leg strength by the standards of today’s NFL. Reichard needs to prove he can plant a higher percentage of kickoffs as touchbacks, but his accuracy and talent should give him a strong chance at being drafted in the middle rounds and becoming a starting NFL kicker.

Strengths

Connected on more than 95 percent of kicks under 40 yards over the last four years.

Consistent ball striker with end-over-end ball flight.

Gets immediate lift off the foot.

Has kicked in several high-leverage games.

Made more than 70 percent of his 50-plus-yard field goals during career.

Weaknesses

Missed potential game-winner from 50 in loss to Tennessee in 2022.

Doesn’t hit kicks with booming drive.

Needs to improve consistency of kickoff depth in pros.

College Highlights

Vikings College Scout Steve Sabo on Will Reichard