Riley Patterson

Career StatsB-

Year	Team	GP	FG%
Career		40	87.4%
2025		17	93.1%
2024		5	57.1%
2023		15	88.9%
2022		17	85.7%
2021

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Dolphins locked up solid starter Riley Patterson at $1.4M AAV for one year, earning a C CVI that reflects a fair market deal for a reliable placekicker. Patterson's production puts him in the solid starter tier, which aligns appropriately with his modest salary that sits comfortably within the middle range for NFL kickers. The one-year structure is smart risk management for Miami, allowing them to evaluate Patterson's consistency without long-term commitment while keeping their special teams unit stable. At this price point, the Dolphins aren't getting a steal, but they're also not overpaying for proven competency at a position where reliability matters more than elite upside. This represents standard business for a franchise securing dependable special teams production without breaking the bank or making any bold statements about their kicking future.

Performance Analysis

Riley Patterson's B- grade with the Dolphins makes him one of the more reliable kickers in the NFL. Patterson has been consistent from distance and in pressure situations, which is exactly what you need from your kicker in a league where field goals decide games every week. His B- grade reflects strong accuracy and the ability to hit from beyond 50 yards, putting him in the upper tier of NFL kickers. Miami's special teams unit benefits from having a kicker they can trust in clutch moments. Patterson's leg strength and mental composure have been impressive since arriving in Miami. He's not a household name, but he's doing the job at a high level.

Fan Sentiment

Riley Patterson's public standing sits at an A- right now, a reflection of genuine organizational and fan goodwill following what multiple outlets are framing as a smart, low-risk retention after a record-breaking 2025 season in Miami. The dominant narrative is one of earned confidence — headlines point to Patterson's clutch performances, including a 54-yard field goal that surfaced in recent coverage, as evidence that the Dolphins are retaining a specialist who has already delivered in high-leverage moments rather than simply rolling back a familiar name. That said, his B- performance grade introduces a small but real tension in the story: the public enthusiasm is slightly ahead of the on-field production tier, which slots Patterson as a solid starter rather than an elite specialist, and the media is savvy enough to note that distinction. The most compelling wrinkle shaping perception right now is the reported kicker competition — Miami isn't handing Patterson the job outright, and that detail has fans cautiously optimistic rather than fully convinced, with coverage framing the competition as a healthy pressure test rather than an indictment. The Dolphins' broader offseason activity, including the signing of punter Bradley Pinion and the subsequent roster shuffling at long snapper, suggests a special teams overhaul that puts Patterson's retention in a larger context of positional investment. The bottom line is that the narrative is warm and leaning positive, but it carries a conditional clause: Patterson wins the room by winning the competition, and the A- holds as long as he proves 2025 wasn't a career outlier.