Niners Nation
The 49ers didn’t use another pick on a kicker in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they will get a look at some potential competition for Jake Moody.
Kyle Shanahan said at the owners’ meetings that the 49ers would bring in veteran competition for kicker Jake Moody following his disappointing 2024 season. However, there will be a player present at rookie minicamp with designs on convincing them to make him the man to put pressure on their 2023 third-round pick.
Moody was picked by the 49ers after a career at Michigan that saw him win the Lou Groza Award for the best kicker in college football in the 2021 season. For their rookie minicamp, the 49ers have extended an invite to the kicker who claimed that honor for the 2024 campaign, Kenny Almendares out of Louisiana.
Almendares led the FBS last season with 28 made field goals from 31 attempts. He was successful on 46 of 47 extra point attempts, racking up 130 points for the season.
It remains more likely that the 49ers will stick with the plan Shanahan articulated at the league meetings, and sign a veteran kicker who can put significant pressure on Moody. The former Wolverine hit on just 24 of his 34 attempts last season, missing three in one game in the 49ers’ win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10.
“As long as we bring in a guy who’s capable of taking that job, and Jake respects him, that’s what puts pressure on him because you’ve got to respect the guy you’re going against,” Shanahan said.
“And he does have to beat him out in practice. Yeah, the games will happen once the season starts, but the preseason will be there. And when your job’s on the line doing something, going against someone who’s talented, you do feel that pressure. And I do believe if he can overcome that, and beat out a capable guy, that’ll show us he’s ready for the season.”
Moody will have plenty of doubters after last season, though it is fair to point out that most of his struggles came after a high-ankle sprain suffered in the Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Regardless of the reasons for his 2024 issues, the misses he strung together mean he will have to fight to keep his job. It’s unlikely but, if Almendares shines at rookie camp, it could convince the 49ers to make him the other combatant in that fight to be the 49ers’ kicker.
