49ers Urged to Turn to Undrafted Rookie to Replace Jake Moody, if He's Available

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 16: Jake Moody #4 of the San Francisco 49ers is lifted up by teammates after scoring the game-winning field goal against the Las Vegas Raiders during the NFL Preseason 2025 game at Allegiant Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 49ers defeated the Raiders 22-19. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

The San Francisco 49ers are seeing inconsistency at the kicker position and are being urged to sign an undrafted rookie that has impressed this preseason.

Jake Moody, the 49ers kicker, has struggled as of late. The third-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft has a big leg, but has not been accurate.

Moody made only 70% of his field goal attempts last season and his job was in jeopardy most of the offseason. The 49ers signed Greg Joseph, but he has since been released and Moody was named the starter. Joseph made a higher percentage of his field goal attempts in practice than Moody did.

GettyGLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 05: Jake Moody #4 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks a field goal against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Jake Moody Has Been Inconsistent but Has Bounced Back

Moody hooked a 53-yard field goal attempt last week during the 49ers second preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He also nearly missed a 26-yard field goal, but closed the game by successfully making his final two kicks, including a 59-yard kick for the win.

That clutch kick resulted in 49ers special teams coach Brant Boyer saying the kick might have saved Moody’s career.

“I mean, it could change his career,” said Boyer. “It’s one of those kicks where, what I really liked about his response from the 52-yard miss, I believe. He showed a lot of character in that moment where he came back and hit two clutch ones. The one to tie it, and the one to win it. I think he showed the moxie he has and the confidence he’s starting to gain. I think it was critical for him.

“It was awesome to see the kid and how he rebounded in that moment. I think what’s even better is how his teammates reacted around him. I think that that is really cool. I think what a lot of people forget is that he was injured a lot last year, and he went through a tough time. Things like that happen in this league, and it’s a matter of how you respond. He faced some adversity and he dug himself out of it and he’s doing a really nice job.”

49ers Reporter Suggests Signing Rookie Pittsburgh Steelers Kicker

But that won’t change the calls for change as Sports Illustrated 49ers reporter Grant Cohn suggests the team needs to move on, describing the Moody experience as a “roller coaster.”

“Enough is enough,” Cohn wrote. The 49ers have to find an upgrade over Moody before the season starts. And no, Greg Joseph doesn’t qualify. He isn’t good enough, either.”

Cohn wants the team to sign Ben Sauls, a rookie kicker with the Pittsburgh Steelers, if the team releases him. The Steelers have Chris Boswell signed through 2026 and may depart from Sauls.

GettyCHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 21: Ben Sauls #29 of the Pittsburgh Steelers kicks a field goal during the first half of an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 21, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

Sauls, who played in college at Pittsburgh, made all four of his kicks during the Steelers’ second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.

“Sauls made kicks from 28, 38, 49 and 50 yards out, and none of them were doinks or near doinks. They split the uprights,” Cohn wrote.

“Moody needs a fresh start somewhere else, so he doesn’t have to bear the burden of being that team’s third-round pick. Put him out of his misery. Replace him with Sauls.”

Drake Bentley is an award-winning investigative journalist and breaking news reporter for Heavy, covering the NFL, NBA, legal affairs, and entertainment. He’s covered the NBA Finals, NFL Draft, and major trending stories since 2019. More about Drake Bentley