RADIO
Charlie Smyth Now Listed as Saints' Starting Kicker
The New Orleans Saints' depth chart now lists Charlie Smyth as the starting kicker, even though he is not technically on the active roster, according to Saints reporter Jeff Nowak. The Saints cut veteran Daniel Carlson on Tuesday, and it looks like the 25-year-old Smyth is going to get the next chance to serve as New Orleans' starting placekicker as they come off their bye to face the Cleveland Browns at home this Sunday in Week 9. Smyth made his NFL debut last year with the Saints and went 12-for-16 on his field-goal attempts (4-for-6 from 50-plus yards out) and 13-for-13 on his extra points in six games played. He missed only a 56-yarder in the preseason for the Saints but still lost out on the starting job to the more experienced Carlson. Even if Smyth is officially named the Saints' new kicker, fantasy managers should be avoiding the Ireland product for this week and going forward.
Source: Jeff Nowak
Source: Jeff Nowak
Saints release kicker Daniel Carlson
The New Orleans Saints have released kicker Daniel Carlson, according to Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Carlson has had some issues so far in 2026, converting just eight of his 12 field goal attempts and 16 out of 18 extra point tries. The 31-year-old has been solid from shorter distances, but he's made just three out of his seven attempts from 50-plus yards out this season. 25-year-old kicker Charlie Smyth is currently on the Saints practice squad and could be in line for a promotion to the active roster ahead of New Orleans' Week 9 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Smyth appeared in six games for New Orleans last season, making 12 out of 16 field goal attempts and all 13 of his extra-point tries.
Source: The New Orleans Times-Picayune - Luke Johnson
Source: The New Orleans Times-Picayune - Luke Johnson
Daniel Carlson Remains a Risky Start Against Giants
New Orleans Saints kicker Daniel Carlson converted just one of two extra-point attempts in Week 5's loss to the Vikings. It has been a quiet season for Carlson, who has attempted a field goal in just one of the last three games. On the year, he is 11-for-13 on extra points and 5-for-7 on field goals. His 84.6% conversion rate on extra points and 71.4% mark on field goals are both career lows. He will look to bounce back against a Giants team allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing kickers. Carlson is a risky fantasy option and ranks as K17 in RotoBaller's rankings this week.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Daniel Carlson Could Benefit From Vikings' Red-Zone Defense
New Orleans Saints kicker Daniel Carlson connected on one of two field-goal attempts and added three extra points in Week 4's loss to the Falcons. His lone miss came on a 52-yard attempt midway through the first quarter. He is now 5-for-7 on field goals and 10-for-11 on PATs this season, and will face a Vikings defense that has allowed opposing kickers to make three field goals in two of the first four weeks. The Saints have been able to move the ball well, but Minnesota has allowed opponents to find the end zone on just 18.18% of red-zone trips, the best mark in the league. If that trend continues, Carlson could see several opportunities to score on field goals rather than extra points. He sits at K16 in RotoBaller's rankings this week.
Source: New Orleans Saints
Source: New Orleans Saints
Daniel Carlson Set to Handle Saints' Kicking Duties
New Orleans Saints kicker Daniel Carlson appears set to handle the job entering the regular season, with Charlie Smyth being released Sunday, according to Mike Triplett. Carlson only joined New Orleans on Aug. 24 but made a strong final impression. He hit field goals from 38 and 53 yards in Friday's preseason finale against Dallas, with the 53-yarder providing the winning points in a 27-24 victory. The veteran made 22 of 27 field goals for Las Vegas last season and owns an 86.9% conversion rate over his NFL career. Smyth had handled the job over the final six games of 2025, making 12 of 16 field goals and all 13 of his extra points, but never completely separated from the competition this summer. Tanner Brown was also part of the battle, though Smyth's release leaves Carlson in position to enter Week 1 as New Orleans' kicker.
Source: Mike Triplett
Source: Mike Triplett
Daniel Carlson Signing with Saints
The New Orleans Saints are signing two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson, according to NFL Insider Mike Garafolo. Incumbent Charlie Smyth had been battling with Tanner Brown throughout training camp, and the signing comes two days after Brown missed the team's lone field goal attempt in a 34-0 preseason loss to the Saints. Over eight seasons, played mostly with the Raiders, Carlson has made 225 of his 259 field-goal attempts, including a career-long 60-yarder in 2025. In what could develop into an exciting offense in year two under head coach Kellen Moore, Carlson will have plenty of fantasy value as an accurate kicker with range.
Source: Mike Garafolo
Source: Mike Garafolo
