Graham is a talented kicker on a high-powered offense... perfect!

As good as he was, the Colts’ offense adds to Vinatieri’s worth. Having the best passing offense with Peyton Manning at quarterback reduces the number of times the Colts fail to cross mid-field. The Colts also move quickly down the field increasing scoring opportunities. Other than four career disasters in Houston, Vinatieri has successfully connected on 52 of 52 in dome field goal attempts. If there is a weakness in his kicking game, it is Vinatieri’s failure to hit any regular season field goals over 50 yards. Of course, Coach Tony Dungy only had him attempt one in 2006. It should be noted that Vinatieri hit a 50 and a 51 yard field goal in the playoffs. At 34, Vinatieri has eleven consecutive 100 point years and could add a few more before he is done.

2. Nate Kaeding, SD
Life is so much better in San Diego. Sunny skies and warm temperature year round. More important to Nate Kaeding, Coach Marty Shottenheimer has found another place to hang his hat. Even though Kaeding has the second best field goal percentage (89%) over the past two years, Shottenheimer chose to attempt to convert a 4^th and 11 play in the playoffs rather than let Kaeding attempt a 47 yard field goal. Oddly enough, Kaeding converted eight of ten attempts beyond the 40 including a 54 yard field goal against the Ravens.

The success of LaDainian Tomlinson in the red zone limits the pure numbers of the 25 year old Kaeding. Unlike Adam Vinatieri who finishes drives that fizzle in or near the red zone, the presence of Tomlinson only improves the likelihood of a touchdown the closer to the goal line he gets thereby eliminating the chip shot field goal that could bulk up Kaeding’s statistics. Still, Kaeding is more of a "1A" than a "2" to Vinatieri’s Number One.   

3. Jeff Wilkins,  STL
Finishing third in points last year with 131, Wilkins has maintained a high level of consistency during his 14 year career. In three of his past four seasons, Wilkins has kicked 30 field goals or more. Wilkins was three for three in field goals over 50 yards in 2006 and he has hit 15 over the past four years and 23 of 27 in his career. Wilkins is even more deadly in close as he hit all 18 of his field goals inside the 40.

Like Vinatieri, Wilkins kicks half his games in a dome. With an especially strong leg, Wilkins assists those leagues that value long distance in the field goals. One word of caution. The offenses under Scott Linehan are known for being touchdown focused, with field goals as an afterthought. Steven Jackson, like Tomlinson, can punch the ball in from short distances.

4. Shayne Graham,  CIN
Lacking the strong leg of some of his compatriots, Graham makes up for it with accuracy. Graham has hit 86 percent of his field goals and he is automatic with 40 or more extra points in four consecutive years.  As long as the Bengals improve their high power offense under Quarterback Carson Palmer and maintain the offensive pressure to combat the defensive inadequacies, Graham should continue his three consecutive years of 115 points or more.

Graham was 25 of 30 but two of the misses were 51 and 62 yards away. He should improve especially considering this was his worst total of the past four years. Graham watched from the sidelines during the last few games as the offense struggled and they lost their last three games as he was held to one field goal attempt or less in four of the last seven games. Don’t expect that again.  

5. Josh Brown,  SEA
Brown is coming off a career year in field goals, hitting 80 percent of his 62 attempts. This included three of five from beyond the fifty and four game wining kicks. Last year Josh Brown was the primary source of points. With Shaun Alexander producing more consistently, Brown should be able to try from more reasonable distances.

You know the Seahawks want him when a kicker is designated the Franchise player. He will be receiving the average salary of the top five kickers. He should be in your top five as well.