Ben Sauls

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Giants secured a fair deal on Ben Sauls, inking the kicker to a modest $0.9M AAV contract that earns a C+ CVI — neither a bargain nor an overpay in today's specialist market. At under $1M annually, this represents standard investment for a placekicker position where even proven veterans rarely command premium dollars, and Sauls' deal slots appropriately into the middle tier of NFL kicker contracts. The two-year structure provides reasonable security for both sides without major financial risk, as kicker performance can be volatile year-to-year and the Giants maintain flexibility if Sauls struggles or if they identify an upgrade. While the performance data remains unclear, the contract value suggests the Giants view Sauls as a competent but not elite option — exactly what you'd expect from a C+ CVI deal. This signing fills a necessary roster spot at market rate, giving New York a reliable leg without breaking the bank or signaling any major special teams concerns.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

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

Performance Analysis

Ben Sauls is a replacement-level kicker in his rookie season, and the D+ performance grade reflects exactly that standing — he has not yet demonstrated the consistency needed to project as even a serviceable starter at the NFL level. With only three games of sample data available, there is simply too little on the field to point to a statistical strength, and the limited action itself is telling about his current role in New York's special teams hierarchy. The lack of meaningful volume is the most transparent weakness in his profile: three games in a rookie season for a depth kicker signals depth-chart standing rather than competitive opportunity. Sauls is operating as a replacement-level option on a $0.9M annual contract, a valuation that aligns precisely with how the Giants appear to view him — functional depth rather than a core contributor. As the mediaFraming makes clear, he exists almost entirely outside the national conversation, which is the default condition for a backup kicker who has not yet forced his way into a starting role. With the regular season still 132 days away, there is a window for him to make a push, but nothing in his profile to date suggests he has separated himself as the answer at the position for a Giants team that finished 4-13.

How Ben Compares at the Position

Ben Sauls ranks 24th of 39 graded pks by performance. That slots Ben between Andy Borregales (D+) just ahead and Zane Gonzalez (D) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Ben Sauls enters the 2026 offseason cycle carrying a D sentiment grade, which is less a product of negative coverage than it is a reflection of near-total media invisibility — the default state for a backup placekicker on a 4-13 Giants squad. National outlets have virtually no reason to train their cameras on a depth kicker with a modest $0.9M AAV, and beat reporters surface his name only in the context of training camp roster competition rather than any meaningful performance story. That media indifference tracks closely with his D+ performance grade, both grades painting the same picture of a replacement-level player who appeared in three games during the 2025 season without generating a headline worth filing. The Giants' recent offseason activity — adding DJ Reader, Shelby Harris, and Leki Fotu on the defensive side while also bringing in quarterback Brandon Allen — signals a front office focused on shoring up skill positions and defensive depth, moves that further crowd Sauls off the attention radar. Fan engagement mirrors the media silence; Giants supporters fixated on a roster overhaul have little emotional investment in the kicker battle unless a missed field goal in a consequential moment forces the conversation. The sentiment trajectory has trended downward over the last 30 days, though that slide is more a function of accumulated irrelevance than any specific controversy. Until a starting kicker injury or a high-profile accuracy lapse thrusts him into the spotlight, Sauls is effectively a non-story.