Finding Stability in the Kicker Position
There’s an old saying in the world of special teams: getting on the kicker carousel is pretty tough to get off. But John Harbaugh? He’s never had the need to board that ride.
The Giants, on the other hand, have been going in circles for the past three years.
Now, with rookie Dominic Zvada’s impressive start—making all nine of his field goals and five PATs—it seems Harbaugh, aided by the scouting team and special teams coordinator Chris Horton, may have uncovered his third reliable kicker in 28 years of coaching in the NFL.
“He’s a guy you don’t feel like you have to completely overhaul in terms of technique for him to maintain consistency,” Harbaugh remarked. “He’s made several kicks, but there’s still a lot more out there to achieve.”
Consider David Akers; he was cut three times and found himself kicking in NFL Europe back in 1999. That’s when Harbaugh, as a rookie special teams coordinator, began nurturing him into becoming the Eagles’ all-time leading scorer.
Fast forward to 2012, and Harbaugh entrusted rookie Justin Tucker with significant responsibilities on a Ravens team that had Super Bowl aspirations. Tucker went on to become the second-most accurate kicker in NFL history.
Clearly, Harbaugh knows the traits to look for in a kicker.
“You can really trust what he’s saying, and he uses the same language as other specialists, so when you hear someone articulate like that, it’s clear they truly understand what they’re discussing,” Zvada mentioned. “Being able to play for Coach Harbaugh has been a dream come true. I’m looking forward to continuing with him.”
Thanks to the reliability of Akers and Tucker, Harbaugh has seen just nine non-punters attempt field goals under his supervision since 1999. By contrast, the Giants have cycled through seven kickers in the last three seasons due to injuries and missed kicks leading to losses.
Therefore, Zvada’s calm demeanor while executing a 52-yarder amid wind and rain—extending the Giants’ lead from three to six during their recent victory over the Cardinals—has left fans hopeful that they can finally feel at ease regarding their kicker situation, reminiscent of Graham Gano’s last healthy season in 2022.
“I really try to separate myself from the situation,” Zvada said. “My job is to simply do my part, no matter what. That was my mentality heading into that kick—just another chance to showcase my abilities. The operation was excellent.”
Interestingly, it’s almost ironic that the Giants head to Washington this Sunday feeling so confident in their kicker.
Throughout the losses attributed to kicker uncertainty during Brian Daboll’s tenure—especially against teams like the Jets (2023), Chiefs (2025), and Broncos (2025)—none was as painful as what transpired in Week 2 of 2024 in Washington.
The Giants scored three touchdowns without PATs but fell to the Commanders 21-18, who managed to kick seven field goals. This happened partly because Gano, who had been nursing an injury, left the game after the opening kickoff.
At that time, Zvada was just embarking on an outstanding season at Michigan.
“He has a good mindset,” Harbaugh stated. “He’s confident, and we’ll keep him grounded to ensure he stays focused. He puts in tremendous effort every day. I think he concentrates on just making the next kick straight. He possesses wisdom beyond his years.”
The Giants have taken steps to prepare their rookie for high-pressure situations. For example, during training camp, Abdul Carter engaged in some friendly trash talk before Zvada’s kicks, signaling a kind of “fun hostility.”
“They were just trying to mess with my head, preparing me for any distractions I might face in a hostile away game,” Zvada explained. “Ultimately, it’s about keeping my focus on what actually matters and blocking out all the noise.”
Zvada, along with new punter Jordan Stout, has helped the Giants lead the NFL in expected points added in special teams significantly.
“I’ve always had that drive to be the best,” Zvada expressed. “Even from the start, I believed in myself, even if others didn’t. That mindset has propelled me to where I am today.”
Eventually, Zvada will miss a kick. It happens. However, the Giants can take comfort knowing he has navigated the challenges of a tough senior season, and he proved himself during a crucial pre-draft interview at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
He stays in touch weekly with a sports psychologist, either at Michigan or in East Rutherford.
“I began taking the mental aspect of sports seriously quite early,” Zvada said. “It’s crucial for specialists to have a strong mental game. We have access to plenty of resources, and I make sure to utilize them fully.”
