Reviewing Packers 2023 Draft Class: Kicker Anders Carlson
By Paul Bretl
With their second of two sixth-round selections, the Green Bay Packers selected kicker Anders Carlson from Auburn. As part of my 2023 draft class review, here is a closer look at that pick.
In this series, I have been going pick-by-pick, looking at each player’s measurables, diving into their key college stats that you need to know, along with their fit on the team. I also have draft day quotes from Brian Gutekunst and other members of the Green Bay organization, as well as a pre-draft scouting report to provide further analysis.
If you’ve missed any of the previous reviews, you can find them below.
Anders Carlson, K, Auburn
Measurements
6’5″ | 218 | RAS: N/A
Carlson has a big frame for a kicker, and in part, that could play a role in his willingness to be a tackler on kickoffs when needed. He did not do any testing pre-draft to record a Relative Athletic Score.
Stats to Know
Injuries were an unfortunate part of Carlson’s college career. He tore his ACL during the 2021 season, which required him to kick with a leg brace in 2022. That season was then cut short after he suffered a shoulder injury while attempting to make a tackle. Carlson’s college numbers don’t exactly leap off the page.
He made 71% of the 107 field goal attempts he had but was steady from inside 40 yards, making 47 out of the 52 attempts. However, from over 40 yards, Carlson made just 25 of the 39 attempts, including 4-for-16 from 50-plus.
On kickoffs, despite his large frame, it’s not as if he was booting the ball through the end zone. In 2022, opponents would return 42% of his kickoff attempts, which ranked 99th among all kickers, according to PFF.
Fit with the Packers
Just like at several other positions on this roster, the Packers are going to give their young kickers a chance to compete. As of now, Carlson will be battling with Parker White for the starting job this summer. White was a 2022 UDFA out of South Carolina and has no NFL field goal attempts.
Ultimately the Packers selected Carlson because of their familiarity with him and the confidence they have in Rich Bisaccia as special teams coordinator. Prior to joining Green Bay’s coaching staff, Bisaccia coached Anders’ brother Daniel Carlson in Las Vegas. Following the draft, Brian Gutekunst mentioned Bisaccia’s strong track record of working with kickers and that he was comfortable with the Carlson selection.
It’s not only the quarterback position where the Packers are transitioning, but for 16 years with Mason Crosby, they largely haven’t had to worry about the kicker position. As we’ve seen routinely around the NFL, finding a reliable kicker, especially one who is comfortable in the cold, is no easy task.
The Packers said it
Brian Gutekunst
"“He was a kid that Rich has extensive experience with. He had his brother (Daniel Carlson) and had known him for quite a while. He struggled with some injuries over the past couple of years after a very promising start. So we felt good about where he was headed, and again, the relationship Rich had with him was a positive factor. The familiarity there helped.“With kickers, Rich has a long track record and a very successful one, and I felt really good about how he felt about him.”"
Pre-draft scouting report
"“Carlson has made kicks in big moments and appeared to be tracking in a good direction back in 2020. However, he has struggled to establish consistency on mid-range kicks and has been poor on kicks from 50 yards and beyond. He’s had too many kicks blocked during his career and doesn’t sport a booming leg on kickoffs.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com"