Should Rams Pursue This Newly-Released Kicker?

The Los Angeles Rams will not only look different on offense and defense this season but on special teams as well.

Often lost in the Rams' offseason of change is the fact that they lost their starting kicker, Matt Gay. Gay, 29, had been L.A.'s kicker for the last two seasons and change and was remarkably consistent with a 92.5 percent success rate on field goals. The now-former Rams kicker cashed in on his success this offseason, signing a four-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts that was the largest free agency contract for the position ever.

After Gay's departure, L.A. had a clear hole at kicker. The Rams began the offseason with two placekickers, undrafted free agents Christopher Dunn and Tanner Brown, although they cut the former after OTAs. For now, Brown is in the driver's seat for the starting kicking duties, but it's still possible the Rams could sign another kicker before the season gets underway. 

If the Rams are looking to make such a move, another option just opened up to them. The Detroit Lions just released kicker Michael Badgley on Thursday, and Ramblin' Fan believes he could be an intriguing option for the Rams. 

Badgley has bounced around the league throughout his five-year career, spending his first three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers but splitting each of the last two years with multiple teams. In his career, the Miami Hurricanes product has made 81.7 percent of his field goals with a long of 59 yards, as well as 96.9 percent of his extra points. In 12 games with Detroit last season, Badgley made 20 of his 24 field goals and all 33 of his extra points. 

Even if the Rams were to sign Badgley, they wouldn't just hand him the starting job on a silver platter. The reason they'd bring him in is to start a competition for the role that as Ramblin' Fan notes, would help both him and Brown stay sharp, 

As the season approaches, the Rams would be wise to keep their options open at kicker.

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