These articles about the bottom-of-the-roster players are not intended to suggest that any given player is bound for glory; rather, the articles are intended to celebrate the ongoing fight of each player to extend his NFL dream.
For those of you who appreciate the fight of the underdog, we hope you enjoy today’s article and the others that will follow in this “2026 UDFA Spotlight” series. Today, we kick off our series with Iowa’s Drew Stevens.A one time, second-team, and three-time third-team All-Big
Ten selection, Drew Stevens holds several school records at Iowa, including FGs made (76), most FGs of 50-plus yards (12) and longest field goal (58), which also tied the Kinnick Stadium record.
Over his four-year career at Iowa, Stevens made 76-of-95 FGs (80%) and 124-of-126 PATs (98.4%) including being credited with 4 game-winners. His draft profile per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:
Four-year kicker with an explosive delivery but inconsistent results. Stevens clearly has the leg to create lift and distance, but his ball striking was inconsistent at times, as he missed three of his kicks from 40-49 yards last season. He handles kickoff duties and is able to run, cover and tackle when needed. The physical tools are there to be drafted, but he needs to become more consistent to stick around long-term.
Strengths
- Explosive entry into the kick with a twitchy leg whip.
- Generates instant lift with his strikes.
- Set Iowa career record with 12 field goals of 50+ yards, including a 58-yarder in 2025.
- Athletic and tough to pursue and tackle when returns leak free.
Weaknesses
- Missed four kicks over a four-game span in 2025.
- Has had five kicks blocked during career.
- Ball flight can be a little inconsistent.
For fans wondering what twitchy leg whip looks like, Stevens’ highlights are presented below.
Drew certainly has the leg to be an NFL kicker, but the concerns around his inconsistency are valid. He was even benched versus Nebraska during his sophomore season before coming back strong his junior year. While accuracy and leg strength are the biggest talking points surrounding kickers, coaches also want a player that is mentally tough, and Stevens has proven to be resilient. The young prospect discussed this during the Combine.
A kicker will also need to be mentally tough to kick at Northwest Stadium, which is widely considered one of the most challenging venues for NFL kickers. Stevens appears to have the mindset and leg strength to be up to the task. Per an interview with Justin Melo of SI:
The conditions make kicking at Iowa a more difficult task. I’ve always had the right attitude. As long as you’re mentally strong enough, it should make you better. You just have to keep repping it in those elements.Sometimes, a kick doesn’t fly in the cold. It might fly further in warm weather. I have high aim. That makes me unique compared to most kickers. I think that made me a more accurate kicker.
If fans are looking for on-the-field proof, they need to look no further than the Senior Bowl, where Stevens hit a fifty-one-yard field goal in the swirling winds of Mobile to put the National Team on the board. Drew isn’t just mentally tough either; the 6’1″, 213-pound kicker can be physical if called upon.
Stevens’ path to a roster spot is clearer than most undrafted free agents. He has one veteran to beat.
Jake Moody has struggled with consistency over his career but had a strong finish with the Commanders this season, converting 10 of 11 attempts over the course of six games. Notably, Moody’s one miss was a 24-yard chip shot that bounced off the upright. Clearly, the Commanders were not completely sold, as they declined to tender the veteran this offseason and may move on from his $1.75 million contract while only incurring a $125K dead cap hit. Since they have little to no investment in Stevens as well, the Washington Commanders will have the true kicking competition that fans have been calling for over the last few years. Drew Stevens will be hoping his leg and mentality will be enough to deliver on his long shot attempt to make an NFL roster.
