San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody has had intense struggles in 2024. It is possible that the team could move on from him this offseason, but if they do they should be cautious to not make the same mistake with his replacement.
The Niners drafted Moody with the 99th overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The rationale at the time was the 49ers needed a strong replacement for Robbie Gould, a future Hall of Fame kicker, and Moody was one of the stronger kickers available in the draft.
The Michigan product started off his pro career strong in 2023 but missed a potential game-winner in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns and was shaky at times after that. He made a clutch kick late in the Super Bowl that could have been a potential game-winner, but fans certainly did not fully trust him going into 2024.
It has been a tale of two seasons for Moody. He was pretty solid for the first five games of 2024, missing only one field goal, albeit a very important one. Since he came back from a high-ankle sprain suffered in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals, he has been dreadful, making just 10 of 18 field-goal attempts.
Perhaps it is still a lingering physical issue related to the ankle injury, but it seems at this point that it is a mental issue for Moody. It may behoove both sides to have a fresh start this offseason. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has been publicly supportive of Moody, but that support may not last much longer.
If the Niners do decide to move on, they would be wise to not make the same mistake they made with Moody by drafting a kicker so high in the draft. They should either sign a veteran available in free agency or maybe take a page out of the Detroit Lions' book and sign a kicker who had a strong showing in the UFL, which is what Detroit did with Jake Bates who has been one of the most accurate kickers in the NFL this season.
Drafting a kicker high in the draft has just not had a great success rate as of late. Whether it is the pressure that comes with being a higher draft kick as a kicker or the difference between the collegiate ranks and the NFL, it is just not the best approach.
San Francisco needs to improve in many ways this offseason, but if they decide to shake things up with their special teams unit, they should do so through avenues other than the NFL Draft.