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Green Bay Packers: 5 Players who could surprise in 2019

By Joe Kipp

GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 11: Brock Osweiler #8 of the Miami Dolphins is sacked by Raven Greene #36 of the Green Bay Packers during the second half of a game at Lambeau Field on November 11, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 11: Brock Osweiler #8 of the Miami Dolphins is sacked by Raven Greene #36 of the Green Bay Packers during the second half of a game at Lambeau Field on November 11, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Sam Ficken #5 of the Los Angeles Rams kicks a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter during the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: Sam Ficken #5 of the Los Angeles Rams kicks a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter during the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

5. Sam Ficken, K

It’s uncommon for teams to carry two kickers on their roster. That is unless they want to provide competition for their current starter. This is precisely what it appears the Packers want to do in training camp: put pressure on Mason Crosby to perform. Green Bay claimed Sam Ficken off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks in April.

It’s noteworthy the Packers used a waiver claim on Ficken, who’s spent the majority of his career bouncing around from team to team. Could general manager Brian Gutekunst really see a future in the former Penn State product? At the very least, Ficken should put Crosby on notice.

Coming off one of his worst seasons to date, Crosby is clearly lacking confidence at the moment. Set to turn 35 years old before the start of the season, Crosby carries a cap hit of $4.85 million in 2019, the second-highest in the NFL, per Spotrac. The all-time leading point scorer in Packers history has a career field goal percentage of 80.4.

Ficken, on the other hand, has a career field goal percentage of 50.0, though he’s only attempted six kicks in his entire career. It’s unlikely the Packers elect to move on from Crosby in favor of Ficken, but never say never.

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