Ben Sauls

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Spotrac flags Ben Sauls's contract as a market-rate deal; FanVerdicts grades it A- Contract Value Index because the production-to-pay ratio shakes out accordingly. At $922,500 AAV over two years, Sauls is locked into a replacement-level kicker valuation—the kind of modest commitment teams make to depth placekickers with minimal leverage or proven track record. His 2025 season marked limited exposure (3 games), and his B- performance grade reflects the kind of unspectacular, low-volume role that justifies a sub-$1M annual investment; he's doing the job without overdelivering or underdelivering in a way that moves the needle. As a 24-year-old in his rookie season, Sauls remains in the early-career window where teams are still evaluating fit and consistency—this contract is appropriately scaled for that stage, with no bloated guarantees or front-loaded penalties that could handcuff the Giants' cap sheet. The Giants' recent activity (signing receivers and adding offensive line depth while cutting at other positions) underscores that the organization views Sauls as roster filler rather than a priority, which aligns perfectly with the Contract Value Index grade; there's no excess being paid here. Over a two-year horizon, this deal carries minimal risk and zero dead-cap implications, making it a clean, forgettable arrangement that allows the team to move on without penalty if a better option emerges.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the A band — a quick read on where Ben's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Ben Sauls, a 24-year-old rookie kicker for the New York Giants, arrives in the NFL with limited collegiate experience and zero career games played, making durability and consistency the primary questions surrounding his candidacy in a league where reliability at the position separates contenders from pretenders. His B-minus performance grade reflects competency in practice and controlled environments, yet the harsh reality is that kicking remains one of the few positions where extensive game-film evaluation matters far less than actual performance under pressure—and Sauls simply hasn't been tested in that crucible yet. The Giants will need him to acclimate quickly to the pace, atmospherics, and psychological demands of NFL football, where even a single missed extra point or critical field goal in December can haunt a franchise's playoff seating. With zero games under his belt, Sauls falls squarely in the developing-player category and carries none of the durability equity that comes with even a 16-game resume; his trajectory will be defined by how smoothly that transition occurs over the coming weeks and months. What to monitor closely is whether the Giants show enough confidence in Sauls to rely on him in high-leverage situations early, or if they bring in veteran depth—a telling indicator of the organization's faith in his readiness to perform when the lights brighten.

How Ben Compares at the Position

Ben Sauls ranks 9th of 39 graded pks by performance. That slots Ben between Matt Prater (B-) just ahead and Spencer Shrader (C+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Ben Sauls enters 2026 as an unproven depth kicker facing significant headwinds following the Giants' release of All-Pro Jason Sanders. Media coverage reflects a youth movement at the position, with Sauls' early performance marked by inconsistency—a 35-yard game-winner against Dallas offset by broader struggles noted in practice reports and minicamp evaluations. The kicker competition narrative suggests the organization views Sauls as a candidate rather than a lock, a precarious position for any special teams contributor in the NFL. With zero career accolades and minimal contract security, Sauls must convert the opportunity created by Sanders' departure into reliable production to establish himself as a franchise option. Current perception reflects cautious skepticism typical of unproven rookies in competitive situations, with his reputation heavily dependent on immediate on-field results during the 2026 season.