The New York Giants have a real problem at kicker, and for the first time in years, that problem looks like a solution. Special teams coordinator Chris Horton laughed when asked about the competition, but the results on the field aren’t a joke. Dominic Zvada and Ben Sauls are showing they can handle the heat under the bright lights of training camp.
Two Young Legs With Real Talent
The Giants cut veteran Jason Sanders early in the offseason to force a choice between Sauls and the undrafted rookie Zvada. This move left the team with a three-game veteran and a rookie who just finished a rough year at Michigan. Most fans would expect the rookie to crumble, but the opposite happened. Horton told the media, “It’s two young guys that are doing very well.” Both players have the leg strength needed for the NFL, and both have shown massive growth since spring drills.
Zvada was the surprise leader after a shaky 2025 season in college. He used the Combine to figure out why he missed kicks and fixed the issues. Horton noted that Zvada talked about many factors leading to those misses before they found a new operation that fit him. The result is a kicker who is now hitting straight through the uprights. Zvada went 7-for-7 in Wednesday’s practice and showed range from 50, 53, and 62 yards. This kind of accuracy is exactly what the Giants have lacked for years.
Fixing The Mechanics That Cost Games
Special teams are delicate, and a bad hold or a split-second timing error can ruin a field goal attempt. The Giants know this pain well after injuries and poor decisions cost them games in the past. Graham Gano is gone, and the team finally moved on to find someone reliable. The focus now is on the process and the discipline to execute every single time. Horton believes that once the players follow the process and believe in themselves, the results will take care of themselves.
Sauls also showed promise, though his kicks tended to drift right. Horton pointed out that Sauls’ kicks would all tail off to the right, but the team is working on that. The competition is real, and both guys know they have to earn the job every day. Horton said, “Trust comes with a lot of responsibility, and I think it’s easy.” The Giants are finally giving these young men a chance to prove they belong.
A Fresh Start For The Kicking Game
The Giants cannot afford another year of missed kicks costing them close games. The position has been a disaster for several seasons, and the front office made the right move by clearing the roster. If Zvada keeps hitting from long range and Sauls fixes his direction, the Giants will have a solid kicker for the season. The growth has been tremendous just watching these guys compete against each other.
As reported by Big Blue View, the team is finally seeing the discipline and consistency needed to win. The Giants asked the right question when they started the kicker battle, and the answer looks promising. Zvada is the one to watch if he keeps kicking straight, but Sauls is close behind. The Giants have found two young players who are ready to step up when the lights get bright.
