2026 Draft Rd 6 #35 K Trey Smack Florida

[OldSchool101]

The one thing that they might be seeing with Smack is that he’s pretty consistently in the 80%+ through 55 Yards. Matter of fact some of his misses have been uncharacteristic misses, such as inside 40 Yards.

In College, Smack was 86% FGM against SEC opponents, so competition doesn’t seem to phase him. He finished 2025 Strong by breaking the Program Record (8)50+ by Kicking a pair of 53,54 yarders for most 50+ Made ever by a Gator (10). Also very consistent 101/102 XPM career although College distance. Two games in 2025 with multiple 50+ makes and finished 83.3% from 50+ (5/6)

My thought is he’s consistently good through 55 yards, but could refine his medium grade accuracy some into the 90% area and push into that higher 80%’s overall. He missed 3 FGA in a row to start 2025 0-3 including a pair of 40 yarders.. but majorly redeemed himself after that. He finished 10/13 77% on 50+ Kicks. He never finished a season below 80% overall.

 

[Voyageur]

The one thing that they might be seeing with Smack is that he’s pretty consistently in the 80%+ through 55 Yards. Matter of fact some of his misses have been uncharacteristic misses, such as inside 40 Yards.

In College, Smack was 86% FGM against SEC opponents, so competition doesn’t seem to phase him. He finished 2025 Strong by breaking the Program Record (8)50+ by Kicking a pair of 53,54 yarders for most 50+ Made ever by a Gator (10). Also very consistent 101/102 XPM career although College distance. Two games in 2025 with multiple 50+ makes and finished 83.3% from 50+ (5/6)

My thought is he’s consistently good through 55 yards, but could refine his medium grade accuracy some into the 90% area and push into that higher 80%’s overall. He missed 3 FGA in a row to start 2025 0-3 including a pair of 40 yarders.. but majorly redeemed himself after that. He finished 10/13 77% on 50+ Kicks. He never finished a season below 80% overall.

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This will shed a little light on the percentages made at various distances. It's interesting how the percentages have gone up at several distances but haven't at others. I think one of the differences we're seeing is that kickers are given opportunities to make kicks in weather that in the past they weren't given the shot. The decisions are probably made along the lines of analytics in those cases I have a hunch. Also, no matter how good a guy can kick, if he doesn't have the leg for kickoffs, he has little chance of making it in the NFL.

 

[tynimiller]

Whatever it is, we need a kicker who can deliver. Crosby came through in Dallas and we went to a championship game. We need someone who can do that again.

I've always felt Crosby gets far far too much praise or at minimum folks remember him as some highly efficient kicker when he really wasn't.

Folks were blasting McManus last year and yet he hit on 80% of his kicks...which to be fair Crosby had 7 seasons out of his 16 with us that he didn't hit 80%.

Crosby's greatest feature was he seemed more often than not to hit the clutch kick.

 

[Voyageur]

I've always felt Crosby gets far far too much praise or at minimum folks remember him as some highly efficient kicker when he really wasn't.

Folks were blasting McManus last year and yet he hit on 80% of his kicks...which to be fair Crosby had 7 seasons out of his 16 with us that he didn't hit 80%.

Crosby's greatest feature was he seemed more often than not to hit the clutch kick.

I've always felt that Crosby missed a lot of kicks in bad weather. I can't pinpoint it through stats because the record shows that the opposition was good on a bigger percentage of kicks than he was, in Lambeau Field. Yet, Crosby made attempts where the opposition wouldn't consider it, opting instead to either punt, or run a play.

Like I say, I can't prove this, it's all personal observation.

 

[milani]

I've always felt Crosby gets far far too much praise or at minimum folks remember him as some highly efficient kicker when he really wasn't.

Folks were blasting McManus last year and yet he hit on 80% of his kicks...which to be fair Crosby had 7 seasons out of his 16 with us that he didn't hit 80%.

Crosby's greatest feature was he seemed more often than not to hit the clutch kick.

Crosby had a few hiccups, like the Bengal game that he eventually won. His rookie year was good. Then he slipped some and had that one season when MM gave him support. But overall he was consistent.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Whatever it is, we need a kicker who can deliver. Crosby came through in Dallas and we went to a championship game. We need someone who can do that again.

I was just talking with a friend about one of the Packers' playoff wins on the road at Dallas. It was years ago. With time running out, no TOs, and 30 plus yards needed for a shot at a FG, Rodgers threw a 30 plus-yard dime to TE Jared Cook right on the sideline. He caught it with both feet in and fell forward and OOBs, leaving a 50 yard FG for a walk off win.

Crosby hit the first kick but Dallas got a time out in and Crosby had to re-kick. The second shot looked at first to be going wide left, but the ball held its line for the last 10 yards and it was good. Packer playoff win on the road at Dallas. I forget the year.

Something similar happened in the last playoff loss to Chicago, with a bad result. It was just before half-time, and MLF was looking to pad the 21-3 lead with a 50 yard field goal. McManus' first kick was good, but a TO had been called by the Bearz. This time, the second kick was no good and the half ended with the Packers ahead by three possessions.

That was one of two missed FGs and a missed PAT on the night. If any of those kicks are good, the Packers have a much better shot at winning.

That loss can't be solely put on McManus, he was just the most visible culprit. With a 3-possession lead at halftime, there aren't good excuses for losing. My point, like your point milani - we need a kicker like Crosby - a guy who can hit from 50 on a regular basis and make all the makable kicks. Here's hoping Smack is that guy.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I've always felt that Crosby missed a lot of kicks in bad weather. I can't pinpoint it through stats because the record shows that the opposition was good on a bigger percentage of kicks than he was, in Lambeau Field. Yet, Crosby made attempts where the opposition wouldn't consider it, opting instead to either punt, or run a play.

Like I say, I can't prove this, it's all personal observation.

Yeah I've heard a small number of comments like Ty's - that Crosby wasn't really a great kicker when looking at the numbers.

But my personal observation was that when a FG was needed, Crosby delivered.

He was no Vinateri or Tucker, but he made his kicks and made many under a lot of pressure. He did have one meltdown game, i think it was in Detroit, where he was possessed by the yips and missed 5 or 6 kicks in a row, including a PAT or two. Otherwise, I always felt confident he was gonna make the kick.

To put it another way, I wish we had that Crosby on the roster now, or someone like him.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Crosby had a few hiccups, like the Bengal game that he eventually won. His rookie year was good. Then he slipped some and had that one season when MM gave him support. But overall he was consistent.

I'd certainly be glad if Crosby, or someone like him, was on the roster for the last few years.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Personally, I think the whole kicking situation this offseason has been poorly managed by the Packers and that starts with what they did with McManus.

If the Packers had enough confidence in keeping Havrisik to be their kicker or keep him for competition, why give Brandon McManus the $1M bonus in March? I know a million is just couch cushion money to NFL GM's, but if he really wasn't in Gute's future plans, he should have just outright cut McManus BEFORE being contractually required to pay him the million.

Did Gute think that drafting Smack solved everything and that was why he cut McManus? What changed between paying McManus the money and drafting Smack? There were no practices or games. Had Smack not been available to trade two 7th round picks to get, would McManus still be on the team? Or would Gute have just signed another undrafted FA kicker and still cut McManus?

Anyway, everything Gute has done tells me that he has a low confidence level in Havrisik being his kicker of the future. Everything that Smack has done since being drafted, has been relatively unimpressive. Personally, I think a team can get into its own head on kickers. Very few kickers don't go through slumps. The good ones get themselves out of those slumps quickly and go back to kicking with confidence. It seems to be the young ones that take longer to adjust and figure things out. Patience with a kicker isn't a strong point with fans or coaches it seems. But jumping from one to another, trying to find "Mr. Perfect"? Just doesn't happen often.

I almost would have rather seen Gute have shown more patience with McManus. Not drafted Smack and just see what happens. Will be interesting to see who is kicking on opening day, all the games in between and the final Packer game of the 2026 season.

Agreed. I was really shocked when McManus was cut. Yeah he had a terrible game against da Berarz, but he seemed to make a lot more than he missed, and was certainly more consistent than Carlson and whoever else they put out there.

When he cut NcManus, Gluten acted like he knew Smack was a sure thing. That can't be true. Makes me wonder if there were some personal issues with McM.

 

[tynimiller]

Yeah I've heard a small number of comments like Ty's - that Crosby wasn't really a great kicker when looking at the numbers.

But my personal observation was that when a FG was needed, Crosby delivered.

He was no Vinateri or Tucker, but he made his kicks and made many under a lot of pressure. He did have one meltdown game, i think it was in Detroit, where he was possessed by the yips and missed 5 or 6 kicks in a row, including a PAT or two. Otherwise, I always felt confident he was gonna make the kick.

To put it another way, I wish we had that Crosby on the roster now, or someone like him.

Fact is Crosby was mostly clutch, and to many that is all they remember. I loved Crosby, but in fairness he was an above average kicker overall and a borderline great kicker in clutch moments.

I mean it is a little unfair to only look at numbers absolutely, but also to dismiss them also would be as well.

Crazy coincidence between how Anders Carlson and Mason Crosby started their careers:

Kicker A
27 for 33 overall
3 of 5 from 50+
4 of 8 from 40-49
20 for 20 from 39 and in.



Kicker B
31 for 39 overall
3 for 5 from 50+
9 of 14 from 40-49
19 for 20 from 39 and in

 

[mradtke66]

Personally, I think the whole kicking situation this offseason has been poorly managed by the Packers and that starts with what they did with McManus.

If the Packers had enough confidence in keeping Havrisik to be their kicker or keep him for competition, why give Brandon McManus the $1M bonus in March? I know a million is just couch cushion money to NFL GM's, but if he really wasn't in Gute's future plans, he should have just outright cut McManus BEFORE being contractually required to pay him the million.

Did Gute think that drafting Smack solved everything and that was why he cut McManus? What changed between paying McManus the money and drafting Smack? There were no practices or games. Had Smack not been available to trade two 7th round picks to get, would McManus still be on the team? Or would Gute have just signed another undrafted FA kicker and still cut McManus?

I don't know if this played optimally or not, but it reads to me like risk mitigation and then professional courtesy to McManus.

At the conclusion of the season, we had McManus and signed Havrisik for competition. At the time of March's bonus, he was still our number 1 kicker.

We then draft Smack. It is all but assured that Smack will be our kicker so they released him to try and stick with another team. This is the professional courtesy part.

Could they have saved the 1 million? Possibly. I also think that if we didn't draft Smack, McManus sticks this year.

 

[gopkrs]

jmo but I thought McManus screwed us by saying he was good to go when he wasn't. Can't trust him. Still, the coaches imho should have known better. About the million dollars, I don't have a clue. Maybe he could have walked without it? And I think it happened before we drafted Smackeroo.

 

[tynimiller]

jmo but I thought McManus screwed us by saying he was good to go when he wasn't. Can't trust him. Still, the coaches imho should have known better. About the million dollars, I don't have a clue. Maybe he could have walked without it? And I think it happened before we drafted Smackeroo.

You're 100% correct.

The million dollars happened in March per his contract.

Smack was obviously drafted after that.

 

[milani]

I was just talking with a friend about one of the Packers' playoff wins on the road at Dallas. It was years ago. With time running out, no TOs, and 30 plus yards needed for a shot at a FG, Rodgers threw a 30 plus-yard dime to TE Jared Cook right on the sideline. He caught it with both feet in and fell forward and OOBs, leaving a 50 yard FG for a walk off win.

Crosby hit the first kick but Dallas got a time out in and Crosby had to re-kick. The second shot looked at first to be going wide left, but the ball held its line for the last 10 yards and it was good. Packer playoff win on the road at Dallas. I forget the year.

Something similar happened in the last playoff loss to Chicago, with a bad result. It was just before half-time, and MLF was looking to pad the 21-3 lead with a 50 yard field goal. McManus' first kick was good, but a TO had been called by the Bearz. This time, the second kick was no good and the half ended with the Packers ahead by three possessions.

That was one of two missed FGs and a missed PAT on the night. If any of those kicks are good, the Packers have a much better shot at winning.

That loss can't be solely put on McManus, he was just the most visible culprit. With a 3-possession lead at halftime, there aren't good excuses for losing. My point, like your point milani - we need a kicker like Crosby - a guy who can hit from 50 on a regular basis and make all the makable kicks. Here's hoping Smack is that guy.

The Dallas game was in 2016 playoffs. And of course, Crosby was kicking in ideal conditions except for the crowd. But he also kicked the go ahead FG less than 2 minutes earlier from that distance. 2 seasons earlier he kicked the tying FG in the final minute in Seattle from that distance to send the playoff game to OT. McManus faced a little more difficult conditions in Chicago. But you just cannot go 1-3 in a playoff game.

Heck, in 1962 Jerry Kramer, as a replacement kicker, went 3-5 in the Championship in 18 degree weather with crosswinds between 25-40 mph.
.

 

[OldSchool101]

I've always felt that Crosby missed a lot of kicks in bad weather. I can't pinpoint it through stats because the record shows that the opposition was good on a bigger percentage of kicks than he was, in Lambeau Field. Yet, Crosby made attempts where the opposition wouldn't consider it, opting instead to either punt, or run a play.

Like I say, I can't prove this, it's all personal observation.

You’re findings hold accurate.

Crosby was one of the best Postseason Kickers in History. He went 88.6% FGM and a perfect 70/70 100% XPM in Postseason. His 31 Postseason Made rank # 6 in NFL history.
His Postseason Accuracy currently ranks at #17 in NFL postseason history.
Of Postseason Pros with a minimum sample of 20 Made, Our own Mason Crosby ranks #3 in made % in NFL history.

1. Harrison Butker 90.0% (36/40)
2. Stephen Gostkowski 89.1% (41/46)
3. Mason Crosby 88.6% (31/35)

No NFL Kicker has => XPA attempts in Playoffs than Mason and still matched his perfect 100%
67/70 Butker
89/93 Gostkowdki
70/70 Mason

If you added in both XPM + FG for
a cumulative accuracy rating and used a medium sized sample (20+ FGA AND 40+ XPA… Crosby would rank #1 in NFL Postseason.

1. Mason Crosby 93.14% of possible Points scored in Postseason.

2. Butker 92.11% of possible Points scored in Postseadon.

3. Gostkowski 91.77% possible points scored in postseason.


If there is any argument about venue? 12 of Mason’s Postseason games were played in Green Bay in January. His only 1 miss? was 1/22/2022 SF@GB
Out of 71 Possible Points in Green Bay in January he scored 68. (95.77%). Had Jimmie Ward not Blocked this 39 yard Kick? he’d be 100% perfect in GB in January Postseason All Time.


Thanks to our Crappy Blocking!

Mason “Warm Summer Breez” Crosby!

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[milani]

You’re findings hold accurate.

Crosby was one of the best Postseason Kickers in History. He went 88.6% FGM and a perfect 70/70 100% XPM in Postseason. His 31 Postseason Made rank # 6 in NFL history.
His Postseason Accuracy currently ranks at #17 in NFL postseason history.
Of Postseason Pros with a minimum sample of 20 Made, Our own Mason Crosby ranks #3 in made % in NFL history.

1. Harrison Butker 90.0% (36/40)
2. Stephen Gostkowski 89.1% (41/46)
3. Mason Crosby 88.6% (31/35)

No NFL Kicker has => XPA attempts in Playoffs than Mason and still matched his perfect 100%
67/70 Butker
89/93 Gostkowdki
70/70 Mason

If you added in both XPM + FG for
a cumulative accuracy rating and used a medium sized sample (20+ FGA AND 40+ XPA… Crosby would rank #1 in NFL Postseason.

1. Mason Crosby 93.14% of possible Points scored in Postseason.

2. Butker 92.11% of possible Points scored in Postseadon.

3. Gostkowski 91.77% possible points scored in postseason.


If there is any argument about venue? 12 of Mason’s Postseason games were played in Green Bay in January. His only 1 miss? was 1/22/2022 SF@GB
Out of 71 Possible Points in Green Bay in January he scored 68. (95.77%). Had Jimmie Ward not Blocked this 39 yard Kick? he’d be 100% perfect in GB in January Postseason All Time.


Thanks to our Crappy Blocking!

Mason “Warm Summer Breez” Crosby!

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The blocking was very suspect that season. I recall the Rodgers Covid game in KC that season. The Chiefs were let in the door to block that one. And when you lose 13-10, it becomes a killer.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

This is the professional courtesy part.

So I assume that McManus gave that $1M back, you know, out of professional courtesy?

These are the kind of money management decisions, or lack thereof, that drive me nuts. OK, so you draft Smack, but you have already paid McManus that roster bonus of $1M in March, why not keep him on the roster? Smack so far has sh*t the bed in OT's and TC. Meanwhile, McManus hasn't been signed by anyone else.

McManus's value to the Packers was made obvious when they gave him the new contract and then the $1M roster bonus. That value didn't decrease when Smack was drafted. If McManus was better than Havrisik, which I think he was given that he started ahead of him, why not just cut Havrisik and let Smack and McManus go at it? The Packers PAID for that right with the $1M in March. "Professional Courtesy"....meh, I'd call it more like bad money management and proof that $1M means just as little to the Packers than it does to other Billionaires.

 

[mradtke66]

So I assume that McManus gave that $1M back, you know, out of professional courtesy?

These are the kind of money management decisions, or lack thereof, that drive me nuts. OK, so you draft Smack, but you have already paid McManus that roster bonus of $1M in March, why not keep him on the roster? Smack so far has sh*t the bed in OT's and TC. Meanwhile, McManus hasn't been signed by anyone else.

McManus's value to the Packers was made obvious when they gave him the new contract and then the $1M roster bonus. That value didn't decrease when Smack was drafted. If McManus was better than Havrisik, which I think he was given that he started ahead of him, why not just cut Havrisik and let Smack and McManus go at it? The Packers PAID for that right with the $1M in March. "Professional Courtesy"....meh, I'd call it more like bad money management and proof that $1M means just as little to the Packers than it does to other Billionaires.

I feel like there are 2 or 3 different points circling around in there that while related, are not the same thing.

On the day the Roster bonus was paid out, McManus was presumably the best kicker the Packers had on the roster. Paying the bonus, while some thing of a luxury, ensured we had a baseline level of kicking performance. It is possible the team was preparing to move on, but didn't know how the draft was going to fall. This is the risk with how the contract was structured.

As far as Smack not doing well...TC hasn't even started yes. We have 3 weeks if I am mathing correctly. For OTAs, there has been good, some bad. It gives me pause, but I'm not going to panic yet. I don't know if the choice to go into TC with only Smack and Hav as the only kickers is a good idea or not and neither do the Packers.

Regarding the money management, the scale of it all is just broken. To you and me, 1 million would be pretty sweet deal. That presumably pays of a mortgage and lets us retire 10 years earlier. Against the salary cap, its a mere 0.33% of the cap (1/301.2). Cheap insurance.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

McManus was presumably the best kicker the Packers had on the roster. Paying the bonus, while some thing of a luxury, ensured we had a baseline level of kicking performance.

Correct. Yet, they cut McManus and kept Havrisik.

Cheap insurance

Correct. Yet they didn't use that insurance "policy" for anything but the draft. They paid the premium of $1M and I really didn't have a problem with that. However, that money bought them insurance until Sept. The Packers decided to rip-up the policy right after the draft.

My point is and you somewhat made it for me. The Packers paid McManus $1M as insurance to have a proven K on the roster. Drafting Smack didn't change that. So why not just cut/keep Havrisik and see how things play out with McManus and Smack? Who I assume were still considered the Packers 2 best options at the time.

 

[mradtke66]

Correct. Yet, they cut McManus and kept Havrisik.



Correct. Yet they didn't use that insurance "policy" for anything but the draft. They paid the premium of $1M and I really didn't have a problem with that. However, that money bought them insurance until Sept. The Packers decided to rip-up the policy right after the draft.

My point is and you somewhat made it for me. The Packers paid McManus $1M as insurance to have a proven K on the roster. Drafting Smack didn't change that. So why not just cut/keep Havrisik and see how things play out with McManus and Smack? Who I assume were still considered the Packers 2 best options at the time.

There is risk in moving on from McManus when they did, but we don't know the whole story. It's entirely possible they considered it more likely they move on, but not having a guy they even like, let alone trust ,was the rub. Best I can come up with is opportunity to cover the departure before the cut. Could be as simple as them saying they were only willing to move on IF they drafted Smack, but with two months between bonus date they were in a tough spot.

Could they have gotten more from their 1M by keeping him? Maybe, but now we're playing team building and psychology costs now. Would the rookie be given a fair shot with the vet on the roster? Is McManus a good teammate?

 

[SudsMcBucky]

Here's my thinking on why they cut McManus vs Havrisik. Once they drafted Smack, I think they already resigned themselves to him as the starter. Once they did that, they weren't going to keep McManus as a backup and wanted to keep Havrisik on the roster in that slot for preseason and not cut him for other teams to possibly add for PS.

 

[milani]

Correct. Yet, they cut McManus and kept Havrisik.



Correct. Yet they didn't use that insurance "policy" for anything but the draft. They paid the premium of $1M and I really didn't have a problem with that. However, that money bought them insurance until Sept. The Packers decided to rip-up the policy right after the draft.

My point is and you somewhat made it for me. The Packers paid McManus $1M as insurance to have a proven K on the roster. Drafting Smack didn't change that. So why not just cut/keep Havrisik and see how things play out with McManus and Smack? Who I assume were still considered the Packers 2 best options at the time.

What you hope with Smack or Lucas is that since they are youngsters that one of them could be around as long as Crosby. McManus may have some years left but maybe not that many.

 

[Voyageur]

Based on McManus past history, it makes me wonder if something has developed that made the Packers skittish about keeping him. This is a real mystery.

 

[milani]

Based on McManus past history, it makes me wonder if something has developed that made the Packers skittish about keeping him. This is a real mystery.

I think the Gute still wants a young long term kicker that can fall in the line of Crosby etc. When the Crosby era ended in GB the Packers could have made a stronger effort to sign an unemployed veteran. They opted to go for a new generation. That is what I believe Gute is doing here.

 

[OldSchool101]

I believe Brandon being cut late was partly due to us getting late notice on Rich leaving and hiring Cam Achord later (Feb 27th). Keeping in mind league year started 12 days later. That’s not much time to consult or formulate strategies with Achord to begin with, so that factors imo.

It was Achord himself who helped clarify why they moved on from Brandon. He mentioned in a recent interview post draft they he liked that Smack uses a powerful, straight line Kick. He thought that would be more advantageous in January either way that 14MPH cross wind at Lincoln Field, Soldier Field or Green Bay. Brandon coincidentally missed kicks in Postseason at Soldier Field and Philly in Postseason

I think a new Teams Coach kinda gets to make that decision and gets more backing to begin with, yet Achord came from New England Foxboro and Giants MetLife Stadiums, he’s familiar with conditions like Green Bay in January.

I’m going off partial memory but Smack was 10-13 Efficiency from 50+ and I believe finished 3/3 last year past 50+. Achord mentioned he prefers a Kicker who is solid inside 55 Yards over a Kicker who can hit at 61-62 (like accuracy over length). I suppose that if Smack is deemed more conducive to cutting through Wind with his style they thought that was worth the draft move and accelerating Brandon’s departure.

As to who is correct idk? Just relaying some thoughts as to why that $1Mil wasted might’ve been been an acceptable choice.