Daniel Carlson

Daniel Carlson Bio

Daniel Vilhelm Carlson is an American professional football placekicker for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds, he is recognized as one of the most accurate kickers in league history. Carlson gained national attention at Auburn University, where he became the all-time leading scorer in Southeastern Conference (SEC) football history before launching an NFL career that has included Pro Bowl-caliber seasons and major contracts.

After a brief stint with the Minnesota Vikings, Carlson found a long-term home with the Oakland Raiders in 2018, and he has remained with the franchise through its move to Las Vegas. He co-led the NFL in scoring in both 2020 and 2021, was named First-team All-Pro in 2022, and signed a four-year extension in 2021 that underscored his value to the organization.

Early Life and Background

Daniel Vilhelm Carlson was born on January 23, 1995, in Dallas, Texas, to parents Hans and Jodie Carlson. He grew up alongside two brothers, including an older brother named Nils and a younger brother, Anders, who later followed a similar path as a kicker in the NFL. The family eventually settled in Colorado, where Carlson developed his interest in football and kicking.

Carlson attended The Classical Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he starred as a kicker and drew attention from college recruiters. His tall frame and consistent leg strength made him a promising prospect, and his performance in high school helped set the stage for a future at one of the SEC’s most prominent programs.

Path to American Football

Carlson committed to Auburn University, where he joined the Auburn Tigers football program in 2013. Playing under head coach Gus Malzahn, he quickly developed into a reliable weapon on special teams. Across his five seasons with the Tigers, Carlson never missed an extra point, an extraordinary mark of consistency that highlighted his focus and routine.

He earned three consecutive First-team All-SEC selections from 2015 through 2017, along with three Second-team All-American honors. In 2016 and 2017, he was also named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year. By the end of his college career, Carlson had amassed 480 career points, the all-time leading scorer in SEC football history until he was passed by Alabama’s Will Reichard in 2023.

Daniel Carlson Career

Early Career (2018)

Carlson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round, 167th overall, of the 2018 NFL draft. He entered training camp competing with veteran kicker Kai Forbath, and when Forbath was released on August 20, 2018, Carlson won the starting job. He made his NFL debut in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, converting all three extra-point attempts and a field goal in a 24-16 victory.

His time in Minnesota ended quickly. In Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers, Carlson missed a field goal in regulation and two more in overtime, forcing a 29-29 tie. The following day, the Vikings waived him and signed veteran Dan Bailey. Carlson was later signed by the Oakland Raiders on October 23, 2018, after the team released fellow rookie Matt McCrane.

Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders Era (2018-Present)

Carlson made an immediate impact with the Raiders, converting all four extra-point attempts in his Oakland debut. Within weeks, he kicked a 35-yard game-winner as time expired in a 23-21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He finished the 2018 season converting 94 percent of his field goal attempts, setting a new Oakland Raiders team record.

In 2020, Carlson switched his jersey number from 8 to 2 to accommodate quarterback Marcus Mariota. He opened the season with a perfect 4-for-4 performance against the Carolina Panthers, including a career-long 54-yard field goal, and was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He later earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors in December, finishing the year as a co-leader in NFL scoring.

The 2021 season was a defining year. Carlson was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice, including a Thanksgiving performance against the Dallas Cowboys in which he went 5-for-5 on field goals, highlighted by a career-long 56-yarder and a 29-yard overtime winner. On December 9, 2021, he signed a four-year, $18.4 million extension that made him the third-highest-paid kicker in the league.

Down the stretch in 2021, Carlson hit game-winning field goals against the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, and Los Angeles Chargers, helping the Raiders clinch a playoff spot. He tied New England Patriots kicker Nick Folk for the league lead in field goals made and attempted, capping a season that earned him Second-team All-Pro recognition.

Driving Style and Strengths

Carlson’s 6-foot-5 frame and powerful left leg allow him to attempt long field goals with confidence, including kicks of 56 and 54 yards during the 2021 and 2020 seasons. His accuracy under pressure has been his defining trait, with multiple game-winning kicks in the final seconds and a career field goal percentage of 86.9 percent.

Notable Events and Milestones

Carlson has earned multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Week awards and one AFC Special Teams Player of the Month honor. He set an Oakland Raiders single-season field goal percentage record in 2018, signed a four-year, $18.4 million extension in 2021, and was named First-team All-Pro in 2022 after a season in which he converted 34 of 37 field goal attempts.

Daniel Carlson Career Stats

Through the 2025 season, Carlson has made 225 of 259 career field goal attempts, a success rate of 86.9 percent, and 244 of 255 extra-point attempts, a 95.7 percent success rate. He has scored 919 total points in the NFL and recorded a career-long field goal of 60 yards, establishing himself among the most productive kickers of his era.

NFL Highlights

Carlson set a Raiders team record by converting 94 percent of his field goal attempts in 2018, a strong start to a tenure that has since included All-Pro recognition. He hit a 56-yard career-long field goal on Thanksgiving Day 2021, helping defeat the Dallas Cowboys in overtime and earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He closed 2021 with a 47-yard overtime game-winner against the Los Angeles Chargers that sent the Raiders to the playoffs.

College Highlights

Carlson finished his Auburn career as the all-time leading scorer in SEC history with 480 points, a mark that stood until 2023. He was a three-time First-team All-SEC selection, a two-time SEC Special Teams Player of the Year, and a three-time Second-team All-American.

Daniel Carlson Family

Family Background and Football Lineage

Carlson was raised in Colorado by his parents, Hans and Jodie Carlson. His younger brother, Anders Carlson, has played as a kicker in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets, making football a shared family pursuit.

Personal Life

Carlson married Katherine Barker on January 13, 2018, in Birmingham, Alabama. The couple met while attending Auburn University, and they have three children. Carlson is a Christian.

2025 Season Performance

Carlson entered the 2025 season as one of the league’s most trusted kickers following his four-year extension and a 2022 First-team All-Pro season. Through the 2025 campaign, he converted 21 of 22 extra-point attempts and 22 of 27 field goal attempts, continuing his reputation for accuracy in pressure situations. His strong leg and poise have remained central to the Raiders’ special teams identity.

As a veteran leader in the kicking room, Carlson has provided consistency for the Las Vegas Raiders throughout the 2025 season. With his accuracy holding steady and his contract running through 2025, he remains a foundational piece of the franchise’s plans. His continued production has reinforced his standing as one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL.