Atlanta Falcons Kicker: What Fans in Atlanta Should Know

If you live in Atlanta or are visiting for a game at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, the Atlanta Falcons kicker is a bigger deal than many people realize. Close games often come down to one leg, and understanding who the kicker is, how the role works, and how you can follow or experience it locally can make watching Falcons football even more fun.

Who Is the Atlanta Falcons Kicker Right Now?

NFL rosters change, and kickers are no exception. Teams frequently adjust their special teams units based on performance, injuries, or contracts, so the current Atlanta Falcons kicker can change from season to season—or even mid‑season.

Because rosters are updated regularly:

• Check just before game day for the most accurate name and number.
• The official Atlanta Falcons team page and major sports outlets typically list the current kicker on the depth chart.
• Local Atlanta sports radio and TV coverage often highlight any recent changes at kicker, especially if it has impacted recent games.

If you’re headed downtown for a game, you’ll usually see the current kicker’s name on the stadium video boards and in the game program sold around the stadium concourses.

What Exactly Does the Falcons Kicker Do?

The role of the Falcons kicker goes far beyond just extra points. From an Atlanta fan’s perspective, here’s what’s happening every time that player runs onto the field:

Core Responsibilities

• Field goals
  When the Falcons’ offense stalls but is close enough to the uprights, the kicker tries to score three points. In tight NFC South matchups, these kicks can decide whether Atlanta walks out of Mercedes‑Benz Stadium with a win.

• Extra points (PATs)
  After a Falcons touchdown, the kicker usually lines up for a point-after attempt, which is worth one point. These used to be almost automatic; now the longer distance has made them more suspenseful, especially in big home games.

• Kickoffs
  After Falcons scores and to begin each half, the kicker sends the ball deep to the opposing team. The goal is to:

  • Force a touchback (opponent starts at the 25‑yard line)
  • Or place a high, shorter kick that lets the Falcons coverage unit pin the opponent deep

• Onside kicks
  When Atlanta is trailing late in a game, the kicker may be called on for a trickier onside kick to help the team regain possession. These are rare but extremely memorable when they work.

Why the Kicker Matters So Much in Atlanta

Atlanta fans have seen their share of close, high‑pressure games. In the NFC South, weather and dome conditions also play a role in why the kicker is so critical.

Dome Advantage at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

Falcons home games are played indoors at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, near downtown Atlanta. This gives the kicker several advantages:

• No wind gusts blowing the ball off course
• Controlled temperature, so no freezing‑cold kicks like in some northern stadiums
• Consistent turf surface, which helps with footing and timing

For Atlanta fans, this often means:

• Longer, more makeable field goals at home
• Fewer weather‑related excuses for misses in home games
• A chance to see some big‑leg kicks from 50+ yards

Impact on Game Strategy

Coaches factor the kicker into how they call plays:

• If the Falcons trust their kicker at longer range, they may attempt field goals instead of going for it on 4th down.
• A reliable kicker gives Atlanta an edge in low-scoring defensive battles.
• In late‑game situations, the offense may aim simply to get into a certain yard-line range where the kicker is comfortable.

Fans in Atlanta can often tell how much trust the coaching staff has in the kicker by when they choose to kick versus go for it.

How to Watch the Falcons Kicker Up Close in Atlanta

If you’re in town, watching how the kicker warms up and performs can be one of the more fascinating in‑person details of a Falcons game.

At Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

Address:
Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
1 AMB Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

What to look for when you’re at the stadium:

• Arrive early 🏈
  Get to your seat 30–45 minutes before kickoff. The kicker often warms up alone or with the holder and long snapper, giving you a behind‑the‑scenes view.

• Pre‑game kicking routine
  You’ll usually see:

  • Short warm‑up kicks inside 30 yards
  • Gradual move back to long‑range attempts
  • A few sideline practice kicks during the game, especially before important drives

• Watch the net behind the uprights
  During the game, it’s easier to track the ball’s flight path from behind the end zone, but many lower‑deck seats along the goal line also have good angles.

On Game Days Around the City

All across Atlanta, especially in neighborhoods like Buckhead, Midtown, Inman Park, and the Westside, sports bars with big screens often highlight the Falcons game. In close contests, you’ll notice:

• The entire room quiet down during a big field goal attempt
• Quick local commentary on the kicker’s reliability, distance, or recent performances
• Fans debating whether the Falcons should have gone for it or trusted the kicker

Local Atlanta Culture Around the Falcons Kicker

Kickers sometimes become fan favorites in Atlanta, especially after clutch performances.

Media and Talk Radio

Local stations and shows frequently discuss the kicker after games:

• Missed field goals in key spots often become a topic on Monday morning talk shows.
• Game‑winning kicks can turn a relatively low‑profile position into a household name in Atlanta overnight.

Listening to callers on local sports radio gives you a sense of how Atlantans feel about the current kicker—whether they’re trusted, questioned, or celebrated.

Jerseys and Fan Gear

At games and around the city, you’ll see mostly jerseys for quarterbacks, receivers, and defensive stars. However:

• When a kicker has been with the Falcons for a while or hits several game‑winners, kicker jerseys and shirts start to show up more often.
• In Atlanta’s sports shops and kiosks around the stadium, you can sometimes find custom jersey options if you want to rep the kicker specifically.

Understanding the Kicker’s Journey in the NFL

For Atlanta fans, it helps to know how a kicker typically reaches this role.

How the Falcons Choose a Kicker

NFL teams like the Falcons usually:

1. Sign a primary kicker in the offseason.
2. Bring in additional kickers for training camp competition at the team’s practice facility in Flowery Branch, about an hour northeast of downtown Atlanta.
3. Make a final decision before the regular season, sometimes changing mid‑season if consistency is an issue.

From an Atlanta viewpoint, this means you might see:

• Multiple kickers in preseason games at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.
• Roster news about kickers during late summer and early fall.

Skills the Falcons Look For

When Atlanta evaluates kickers, they often focus on:

• Accuracy from short and mid‑range distances.
• Leg strength for long field goals and deeper kickoffs.
• Consistency indoors, especially in a dome environment.
• Composure under pressure, particularly in divisional games and late‑season pushes.

How Falcons Fans in Atlanta Can Track Kicker Performance

If you want to stay current with how the Atlanta Falcons kicker is doing, there are several practical ways to follow along from inside the city.

During the Season

• Game broadcasts on local TV
  Regular commentary will highlight:

  • Recent field goal percentages
  • Longest successful kick
  • Any recent misses or streaks

• Score tickers at local venues
  Many Atlanta restaurants and sports bars keep games on screens with rolling stats, including field goals and extra points made.

• Post‑game recaps
  Local outlets often include a short note on special teams, especially if the kicker played a major role in the outcome.

Simple Tracking Checklist

You can easily keep tabs on the kicker using a few key questions:

Seeing Kicking in Person Beyond Falcons Games

If you’re intrigued by the kicking game and live in the Atlanta area, there are several ways to see or experience it outside of NFL Sundays.

High School and College Football in Atlanta

Atlanta and the surrounding metro area have a strong football culture. You can:

• Watch high school games at local stadiums around Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties.
• Catch college games in and around the city, including:
  • Georgia Tech in Midtown Atlanta
  • Other nearby programs in the greater metro region

These games often feature talented kickers looking to follow a path similar to NFL specialists, and tickets are typically more affordable than NFL prices.

Practicing or Learning Kicking Yourself

If you’re inspired to try kicking:

• Local parks and recreation fields across Atlanta sometimes have football goalposts.
• Schools and youth sports programs around the metro area may offer youth or teen football with opportunities to try kicking roles.
• Private training or group clinics may be available through local sports training facilities that focus on football skills, including kicking and punting.

Tips for Enjoying the Falcons Kicker as an Atlanta Fan

To get more out of watching the Atlanta Falcons kicker, whether you’re in the stadium or on your couch in Atlanta:

• Arrive early to home games so you can see warm‑ups and understand the kicker’s range that day.
• Note the yard lines: Once you learn roughly where the Falcons are comfortable trying field goals, you can predict whether the kicker is about to come on.
• Pay attention in close games: Late‑game drives often revolve around moving into field goal range; watching the kicker’s body language on the sideline can add another layer to the drama.
• Listen to local conversations: Atlanta sports talk and fan discussions offer a good pulse on how the city feels about the current kicker.

Understanding the Atlanta Falcons kicker from a local perspective gives you a richer experience of football in the city—whether you’re cheering in Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, watching from a Midtown condo, or catching the game at a neighborhood spot anywhere in the Atlanta metro area.