As the Denver Broncos consider what to do in order to get the franchise going in the right direction, new head coach Sean Payton and the rest of the organization are going to have to consider some big changes.
One of those changes could be at the kicker position. Though kickers are often an afterthought in the grand scheme of things, the Broncos have one that has been around since 2014. Brandon McManus ranks second in team history in points scored.
Only two kickers (Mason Crosby, Justin Tucker) have been with their current team longer than McManus has been in Denver. But could that time be coming to an end?
The Broncos need to, at the very least, bring in some strong competition for their long-time kicker.
McManus didn't exactly have a great 2022 season, missing eight field goals and two extra points. He only made 77.8 percent of his field goals and he had five misses from 50 yards or more. McManus originally earned his job in Denver due to his leg strength but for his career, he's made just 40 of his 72 field-goal attempts from 50 yards or more.
In addition, he carries a $4.9 million cap number in 2023. If the Broncos were to cut him prior to June 1, the team would save $2.5 million in cap space. But if they wait until after June 1, that number jumps to $3.7 million, making the idea of moving on from him a very real one.
But if the Broncos are going to do that, they first need to find a replacement. Looking at the free-agent market, the options there are not any more appealing than just keeping McManus. But there are a few options the team could look at in the draft with either a late-round pick or perhaps the Broncos could be fortunate enough to sign one of them as an undrafted free agent since kickers often go without being selected.
Potential Brandon McManus replacements for Broncos
Harrison Mevis, Missouri
Known as the "Thiccer Kicker" due to his size at 5-foot-11 and 236 pounds, Harrison Mevis has a booming leg and will almost certainly get a look at the next level.
His brother, Andrew, had a solid college career at Fordham and Iowa State before being signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars last year as an undrafted rookie. Andrew was cut early on after struggling in training camp but Harrison has a bigger leg and more upside.
During his college career at Missouri, Mevis made 84.9 percent of his career field goals and he never missed an extra point. He ranks No. 2 all-time in SEC history behind only Evan McPherson, the star kicker of the Cincinnati Bengals, in career kicking percentage.
Mevis set high school records before coming to Missouri where he set a school record for the most career field goals from 50 yards or more. He was also a semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award in each of his three seasons with the Tigers.
Putting the powerful leg of Mevis into the thin air of Denver could be an idea that the Broncos' brass really likes.
Anders Carlson, Auburn
Another kicker from a kicking family, Anders Carlson is also the brother of an NFL kicker though his has found more success than Mevis'. Daniel Carlson is the current kicker for the Las Vegas Raiders and he is one of the best in the business.
Anders Carlson has kicked at Auburn since the 2018 season, playing in 56 games for the Tigers. However, he hasn't been anywhere near as accurate as Mevis, making just 71.8 percent of his career kicks.
But he has always been a highly-touted prospect as he was the No. 1 ranked high school kicker by ESPN coming out of college. His longevity at Auburn, a top college program, will also by him some interest as he ranks second in school history in scoring, career field goals made and career extra points made.
He will also get a lot of looks because his brother has been solid for the Raiders. He would be a fun prospect for the Broncos as he was born in Colorado Springs and went to The Classical Academy in high school, where he was also a terrific soccer player.
Jake Moody, Michigan
Jake Moody is going to be a name that any team looking for a kicker will likely look at after his performance in this year's East-West Shrine Game in which he accounted for all of the points for the West squad, making four field goals, including two from 51 yards.
Coming from one of the top schools in the nation, Moody kicked at Michigan for five seasons and played in 41 games for the Wolverines where he was wildly accurate. Moody made all 148 of his career extra-point attempts while converting on 82.1 percent of his career field goals.
Only two kickers, Jeff Budzien and Keith Duncan, had higher career percentages in the history of the Big 10 Conference.
Moody, unlike many kickers, will likely have a draftable grade so any team looking for an upgrade at kicker will potentially give him a look in the later rounds of April's selection process.
Moody led the nation with 29 made field goals in 2022 and he won the Lou Groza Award in 2021, joining Mike Nugent and Brad Craddock as the only kickers to ever win that award while kicking in the Big 10.
Moody will be a name to watch if the Broncos are considering moving on from McManus.