The New England Patriots need to address their kicker position after losing Joey Slye to the Tennessee Titans. John Parker Romo, the only kicker under contract, has limited experience heading into his fourth season. Romo filled in for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 and made seven of eight extra points and 11 of 12 field goals in four career games. The Patriots will likely add a kicker in free agency or the upcoming draft to compete with him.
The New England Patriots host an elite All-American specialist
During an interview with Justin Melo of The Draft Network, former Florida State Seminoles kicker Ryan Fitzgerald shared that he had a private workout with three kicker-needy teams, including the Patriots. Fitzgerald is considered one of the best special team prospects in the upcoming draft. Many analysts have mocked him as a mid to late Day 3 selection.
.@FSUFootball K Ryan Fitzgerald went a perfect 13-for-13 this past season. Arguably the top kicker in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Fitzgerald has private workouts with the #Patriots, #Ravens, #Commanders. Ton of interest from K-needy teams.@TheDraftNetwork:https://t.co/evsQI1EU8l
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 11, 2025
He had a great finish to his college career with Florida State
Ryan Fitzgerald committed to the Florida State Seminoles as a two-star recruit for the 2019 season. Fitzgerald redshirted in his true freshman season and took over as the starting kicker in 2020. He struggled in his first two seasons, with a 65% field goal percentage, but showed significant improvement in 2023 and 2024, making all of his 72 extra points and 32 of his 34 field goal attempts.
Fitzgerald had a great 2024 season, making every extra point and field goal attempt, earning him a Third Team All-American and Second Team All-ACC selection. He made 14 extra points and 13 field goals. He completed his tenure, making 178 of 182 extra points and 58 of 74 field goal attempts, finishing third all-time in extra points made and fifth in field goals made in Seminoles history.
Here’s Lance Zierlein‘s scouting report on Ryan Fitzgerald
“Fitzgerald turned a major corner after an erratic 2022 season and has been a picture of consistency since then. He has proven he can hit the long field goal with consistent lift and ball flight. Fitzgerald needs to improve his hang time on kickoffs and must prove that inconsistencies with intermediate kicks are in the past.”
He predicts that he will be a priority-free agent and that he will make a team’s final roster or be on their practice squad.
