The San Francisco 49ers could have a shakeup at the kicker position this offseason. After second-year kicker Jake Moody struggled in 2024, the 49ers should pursue veteran kicker Nick Folk in free agency.
Folk has been the most accurate kicker in the NFL each of the past two seasons with the Tennessee Titans. In 2023 he made 29 of 30 field-goal attempts for a conversion percentage of 96.7 and made 28 of 30 extra-point attempts.
He followed that up with another stellar campaign in 2024, making 21 of 22 field-goal attempts for a percentage of 95.5 and did not miss a single extra point all season.
The 40-year-old veteran missed the last three games of the 2024 season due to an abdomen issue, but he is still the best kicker available in free agency this offseason.
Do not let his old age fool you though, the veteran still has plenty of leg. He was 6-of-6 on field goals of 50 yards or longer in 2024. Plus, he announced he does intend to play in 2025.
Free agency seems like the most prudent option for the 49ers if they decide a change at kicker is necessary. We have already analyzed how they cannot make the same mistake they made with Moody by drafting another kicker high in the NFL Draft, which is a strategy that has not had great results.
It is not a given that the 49ers will move on from Moody. He is under contract for the next two seasons before he will become a free agent, but the cap hit would not be huge if they decided to release him.
Yet, one cannot help but feel head coach Kyle Shanahan's faith in the young kicker has been shaken after his rough 2024 season. Moody's own field-goal percentage was 70.6 last season which is... not ideal. His ankle injury may have played some part in his struggles, but it may be more of a mental issue at this point.
The question is: does Shanahan want to take a chance on the inconsistent Moody going into 2024 when he knows the team's championship window may be closing quickly? Does he really have full faith in Moody with the fate of the game on the line? Or would he rather go with a proven veteran like Folk?
Most fans would probably go with the latter.
It is not a given the 49ers will move on from Moody, but if they do, Folk should be the prime candidate to replace him.