Indianapolis Colts’ kicker Spencer Shrader is playing at an elite level and ranks among the NFL's most productive and accurate kickers through five weeks into the season. He came through again against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The only downside to Shrader’s performance was how the rest of the Colts played in the 34-22 loss on the road, dropping their record to 2-3. Nothing went well for Indianapolis on Sunday, save for their field-goal kicking; save for Shrader.
In fact, Shrader might never have kicked a better game in his five-year career, which began with the Colts and is now in his second stint. One thing is for sure: after an offseason position battle with Blake Grupe, it's clear Shrader deserved the job. The question is: is he the best kicker in the league after five games?
Spencer Shrader is kicking his way to "league-best" territory with the Indianapolis Colts
Declaring any single player the "best" depends on how you measure it. By these numbers, though, Shrader makes his case among his field-goal-kicking peers: going five-for-five against the Steelers, producing the lion's share of the Colts' offence, and showing his range throughout further supports his case.
Shrader is a perfect 16-for-16 on field-goal attempts through the first five games of this season. His long-distance kicking is also on an elite level, with six made field goals from 50 yards or more, including two makes from 57 and 56 yards in Pittsburgh. His five total makes on Sunday tied the Colts' franchise record for most field goals in a single game.
On top of that, Shrader leads all NFL players in total points scored (58). Statistically, Shrader is the best kicker in the NFL right now, but whether he's the best kicker in the deeper sense of the term is another discussion.
The likes of Brandon Aubrey (Dallas Cowboys), Jason Myers (Seattle Seahawks), Harrison Butker (Kansas City Chiefs), Cameron Dicker (Los Angeles Rams), and Cam Little (Jacksonville Jaguars) are all considered the elite of the elite in field goal kicking. While their numbers to date don't stack up to Shrader's, they should still be considered the best and ranked however you choose.
Shrader isn't there yet, but he's on that trajectory, which makes the Colts look good betting on him to be their starting kicker in the offseason. Of course, it can't be ignored that Shrader's numbers this season are reflective of how inconsistent and, at times, anemic the Colts’ offense has looked, particularly their passing game.
The Colts have had to lean on Jonathan Taylor in the run game and Shrader in the kicking game to give them any chance of competing for a win. For the most part, Taylor has come through, despite being a non-factor against the Steelers.
Shrader, on the other hand, has been as consistent as the Colts can ask of him. If the Colts' defense had figured out a way to stop Aaron Rodgers, Shrader might have kicked the Colts to their third win of the season. There's no doubt he's one of their biggest weapons going.
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