Joe DeCamillis has the tall job of restoring order to the Las Vegas Raiders particular groups unit. It’s a gaggle that was reliable, if not constant in prior years, nevertheless, in 2025, it was extra legal responsibility than asset.
The lack of execution resulted in blocked subject objectives and punts and permitting touchdowns on punt and kick off return and the eventual dismissal of former particular groups boss Tom McMahon. A majority of the Raiders 2025 teaching workers is out the door alongside McMahon paving the way in which for Las Vegas to land hotshot Klint Kubiak as its new head coach.
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And in comes DeCamillis alongside the brand new lead man to proper the Raiders’ ship. The 34-year teaching veteran — a majority of it targeted on particular groups — gives the rookie head coach an skilled assistant that was in command of the Los Angeles Rams 2021 unit that was a power not legal responsibility. Coincidentally, that’s the final time up till this most up-to-date 2025 season, head coach Sean McVay took particular groups significantly.
DeCamillis has a critical problem forward of him in Las Vegas. The group isn’t with out its standouts — like punter AJ Cole III and core particular teamer and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg — however the unit wants tinkering. And the massive resolution is on the kicker spot. For the final eight seasons, that was a gig securely held by Daniel Carlson. But the 31-year-old is an unrestricted free agent and noticed a downward slide the previous couple of seasons by way of conversion charge.
Which beckons: Do the Raiders kick the tires on Carlson once more?
Since becoming a member of the Raiders after getting drafted within the fifth spherical of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings and reduce after two video games going 1-for-4 on subject objectives, Carlson is one in all three last-stand Oakland Raiders on the roster — the opposite two are Cole, left sort out Kolton Miller. The different was edge Maxx Crosby who was traded to the Baltimore Ravens on Friday.
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Carlson turned it round shortly becoming a member of the Silver & Black an skilled the best peaks with game-winning kicks in regulation and time beyond regulation and the bottom valleys with missed or blocked boots. The Auburn product’s 2020-2022 seasons noticed him hit subject objective percentages within the 90s with the best a 94.3 conversion charge in 2020 after which AP All-Pro second- and first-team alternatives in 2021 and 2022. But its been a downward development since then as his conversion charges went: 86.7, 85, and 81.5 p.c the subsequent three seasons. This previous yr, Carlson went 22-for-27.
That famous, Carlson is a part of a free agent kickers market that options older veterans. The prize of the group is the Dallas Cowboys’ Brandon Aubrey, who has a big-time leg at 31 years outdated. But the undrafted free agent is a restricted free agent and the Cowboys placed a second-round tender on their kicker, which portends to his return to Big D. Any workforce that inks Aubrey to a proposal sheet should ship a second-round decide to Dallas if the Cowboys don’t match.
That leaves Carlson, Jason Sanders (30 yeas outdated, 37-for-41, 90.2 subject objective share, for the Miami Dolphins in 2024), Nick Folk (41, 28-for-29, 96.6, for New York Jets in 2025), and Riley Patterson (27-for-29, 93.1, for Dolphins in 2025), as free agent choices. Patterson is the youngest of that group and has performed for six completely different groups within the eight seasons he’s been within the NFL.
DeCamillis wants a kicker and it’ll be fascinating to see which route he and the Raiders take to fill that void with Carlson slated to hit the open market with the authorized tampering interval opening this coming Monday.
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But free company in March isn’t the one place to fill the place kicker spot. There’s April’s draft and after it, too.
There are a trio of standout prospects within the 2026 draft which have the potential to change into long-term options on the place if Las Vegas decides to maneuver on from Carlson.
Trey Smack, Florida: On identify alone, this Gator has an NFL-made surname. Spending all 4 seasons in Florida (2022-25), Smack is broadly thought-about the highest kicker within the 2026 class going 18-for-22 (81.8 subject objective share) this previous season for the Gators. In the three seasons the place he served because the kicker, Smack went 53-for-64 (82.8 subject objective share) scoring a complete of 259 factors (career-high mark 98 in 2024). Smack brings a big-leg popularity with him as he ventures in the direction of the professional sport.
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Kansei Matsuzawa, Hawaii: A two-year presence for the Rainbow Warriors (2024-25), this consensus All-American is taken into account the 1B to Smack’s 1A. Matsuzawa went 27-for-29 (93.1 subject objective share) in 2025 and scored 121 factors main the nation in makes an attempt, makes, and level whole. While he could path Smack and others in pure leg energy, Matsuzawa is correct and is comparatively new to the kicking sport, that means he’s extremely moldable for DeCamillis.
Dominic Zvada, Michigan: Another highly effective kicker, this Wolverine might want to rebound after a down senior yr. The Arkansas State switch was stellar in 2024 going 21-for-22 and sporting a nation-leading 95.5 subject objective share. But this previous season, Zvada went 17-for-25 (68 p.c). He’s a long-range bomber although and a coach like DeCamillis working to shore up accuracy may give the Raiders a big-legged clutch performer doubtlessly.
Carlson isn’t the lone core particular teamer heading to free company and not using a new deal. Long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer, a favourite of former particular groups boss McMahon, can also be an unrestricted free agent. The Raiders did signal Alex Ward to a future/reserve contract so there’s a protracted snapper presently on the roster. But filling the kicker and lengthy snapper spots are must-dos and are amongst a myriad of different wants Las Vegas has.
