Daniel Carlson Bio
Daniel Vilhelm Carlson is an American professional football placekicker for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 23, 1995, in Dallas, Texas, he attended The Classical Academy before starring at Auburn University, where he became the all-time leading scorer in Southeastern Conference (SEC) football history. Carlson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft, was briefly released, and then joined the Raiders organization, where he has developed into one of the most accurate kickers in league history.
Early Life and Background
Carlson was born on January 23, 1995, to Hans and Jodie Carlson. He grew up in a family with a strong athletic tradition, including an older brother named Nils and a younger brother, Anders, who also became a professional kicker in the NFL, playing for the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets. The kicker lineage in the Carlson household helped shape Daniel’s early understanding of the position and the discipline required at the highest levels of football.
Carlson attended The Classical Academy for his high school education, where he began to develop the technical foundation that would later define his professional career. The combination of family encouragement and structured high school training gave him a clear path toward competing in college football at a major program.
Path to American Football
Carlson committed to Auburn University, where he played college football for the Auburn Tigers under head coach Gus Malzahn. Over the course of his collegiate career, Carlson never missed an extra point, an extraordinary streak that underscored his consistency. He accumulated 480 career points, a mark that made him the all-time leading scorer in SEC football history before the record was later surpassed by Will Reichard of Alabama in 2023.
Carlson earned three consecutive First-Team All-SEC selections from 2015 through 2017, along with three Second-Team All-American honors. He was also recognized as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in both 2016 and 2017. By the end of his Auburn career, Carlson had firmly established himself as one of the most accomplished kickers in conference history, setting the stage for his entry into the NFL.
Daniel Carlson Career
Early Career (2018)
Carlson entered the NFL after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round, 167th overall, of the 2018 NFL draft. He was one of only two kickers drafted that year, alongside Jason Sanders of the Miami Dolphins. After a preseason competition with veteran Kai Forbath, Carlson won the job and made his NFL debut in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, converting all three of his extra point attempts and a field goal.
His tenure in Minnesota proved short-lived. In the following game against the Green Bay Packers, Carlson missed a field goal in regulation and two more in overtime, resulting in a 29–29 tie. The Vikings waived him the next day and replaced him with veteran Dan Bailey, ending his rookie season in Minnesota.
Oakland Raiders Era (2018–2020)
Carlson was signed by the Oakland Raiders on October 23, 2018, after the team released fellow rookie kicker Matt McCrane. He debuted in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts, converting all four extra point attempts. Three weeks later, against the Arizona Cardinals, Carlson made two extra points and three field goals, including a 35-yard game winner as time expired, 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 April 2020, Carlson was re-signed to a one-year contract. During the 2020 offseason, he switched his jersey number from 8 to 2 in order for quarterback Marcus Mariota to wear number 8. In Week 1 of the 2020 season against the Carolina Panthers, Carlson connected on a career-long 54-yard field goal and was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, later earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors that December.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2021–Present)
Carlson continued his strong play into 2021. The Raiders placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on him in March, which he signed in late April. In Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he converted all four field goal attempts and both extra points, earning another AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award. On Thanksgiving Day against the Dallas Cowboys, Carlson went a perfect 5-for-5 on field goals, including a career-long 56-yarder, and converted all three extra points in a 36–33 overtime victory, adding yet another weekly honor.
On December 9, 2021, Carlson signed a four-year, $18.4 million extension with the Raiders, making him the third-highest-paid kicker in the NFL at the time. He tied New England Patriots kicker Nick Folk for the league lead in field goals made and attempted that season, and his late-season game-winning kicks helped the Raiders clinch a playoff spot in the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Driving Style and Strengths
Carlson’s primary strength is his accuracy from medium range, combined with the leg strength to convert from beyond 50 yards. He has demonstrated poise in high-pressure situations, regularly delivering game-winning kicks in the closing seconds. His consistency on extra points throughout his career has been a hallmark of his reliability for the Raiders.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Carlson’s signature moments are his Thanksgiving Day 56-yard field goal against the Cowboys in 2021, his overtime game-winner against the Cleveland Browns, and his overtime kick that eliminated the Chargers from playoff contention. His 2018 field goal percentage set a franchise record, and his 2020 and 2021 seasons saw him co-lead the league in scoring, cementing his place among the most accurate kickers in NFL history.
Daniel Carlson Career Wins
Carlson has been a steady contributor for the Raiders since 2018, delivering multiple game-winning field goals across the 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons. While individual game totals vary, his clutch performances have repeatedly shaped the outcomes of close contests for Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders Highlights
Carlson set an Oakland Raiders team record by converting 94 percent of his field goal attempts in 2018. He has since made multiple game-winning kicks, including the 35-yarder against the Arizona Cardinals, the 48-yarder against the Cleveland Browns, and the 47-yarder as time expired in overtime against the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021. These clutch moments have defined his tenure with the franchise.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his Raiders accomplishments, Carlson’s college resume at Auburn includes 480 career points, three First-Team All-SEC honors, and two SEC Special Teams Player of the Year awards. His professional consistency has translated into First-Team All-Pro recognition in 2022 and Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2021.
Daniel Carlson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Carlson comes from a deeply athletic family. His parents, Hans and Jodie Carlson, raised him in a household that produced multiple NFL kickers. His younger brother Anders played kicker for the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets, and the brothers share one of the more unique family ties in professional football.
Personal Life
Carlson married Katherine Barker on January 13, 2018, in Birmingham, Alabama. The couple met during their time at Auburn, and they have three children. Carlson is a Christian and has spoken openly about the role his faith plays in his life and career.
2025 Season Performance
Daniel Carlson enters the 2025 season continuing his role as the Las Vegas Raiders’ primary placekicker. Coming off a 2024 campaign in which he converted 23 of 25 extra point attempts and 34 of 40 field goal attempts, he remains one of the more reliable kickers in the league. His accuracy and veteran experience give the Raiders stability in the kicking game as they navigate a new season.
With the Raiders rebuilding their offensive and special teams units, Carlson’s consistency will be a steady asset. His ability to convert from long range and perform under pressure has been a defining trait throughout his career, and the 2025 season offers another opportunity to add to his list of clutch performances.
Carlson’s contract runs through 2025, keeping him in Las Vegas for the immediate future. As the season unfolds, his production on field goals and extra points will continue to play a meaningful role in determining the Raiders’ success on the scoreboard.