Rams still waiting to see Harrison Mevis pass inevitable prove-it test

Former UFL kicker Harrison Mevis saved the day for the 2025 Los Angeles Rams by stepping in midseason for a struggling Joshua Karty. After Karty couldn't hit the broadside of a barn, Mevis converted 18 of 19 field-goal attempts, including a perfect 6-for-6 in the playoffs, and all 48 of his extra points. "Thicker Kicker" is his name and precision is his game. 

Mevis is also, though, the subject of the Rams' biggest special-teams question. Specifically, can they rely on him to knock the ball through the uprights from long range?

Accurate as Mevis was last season, his longest made field goal came from 52 yards out. A 50-yarder in the NFC Championship Game was the only other time he attempted a kick from 50+. 

Inevitably, the Rams will have to learn whether bringing out Mevis on fourth & four from the opponent's 37-yard line is a viable option. 

Mevis must extend his range in 2026

Head coach Sean McVay clearly avoided testing Mevis' limits last season. Mevis only made one other kick of even 45+ yards. The Rams asked him to attempt four such kicks total, including the two from 50+ and a 48-yard miss in that oracular Week 16 loss to the Seahawks.

Chances are Mevis will be put to the test sooner rather than later. If the Rams opt to go for it in obvious field goal scenarios, that will be just as telling. As they are well aware, one win can shape the path to a Super Bowl - see Week 16 - and all too often, one kick decides a game. That's a lot of pressure on Mevis' plate in his second NFL season.

Such is the life of a kicker, the unsung hero when the game-winning kick goes through and the vilified scapegoat when it sails wide right. 

Certainly the Rams have other questions about the special teams unit this season after last year's across-the-board catastrophe. Over the offseason they redid the coaching staff and upgraded the personnel. Will Bubba Ventrone produce better results? Will Rams special teamers be more disciplined?

Will punt returner Xavier Smith secure the football or be blinded by the bright lights? Those are all relevant concerns.

None more so, however, than the questions at kicker. In 2024, before the wheels fell off, Karty converted 6 of 7 field goals from 50+ yards, including a long of 58.

The Rams are potent enough that they don't need to overrely on the placekicker's boot, but particularly in two-minute offense, they'll still benefit from Mevis extending his range to put them in striking distance from a few yards further out.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow