Daniel Vilhelm Carlson Bio
Daniel Vilhelm Carlson is an American professional football placekicker who currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League. Born in Dallas, Texas, Carlson has established himself as one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, currently ranking tenth all-time in field goal percentage. He played college football at Auburn University, where he became the all-time leading scorer in Southeastern Conference history before being selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Carlson has co-led the league in scoring twice and earned First-team All-Pro honors in 2022.
Early Life and Background
Carlson was born on January 23, 1995, in Dallas, Texas, to Hans and Jodie Carlson. He grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he attended The Classical Academy for high school. From an early age, Carlson demonstrated exceptional leg strength and kicking ability that would set him apart from his peers.
The Carlson family has deep football roots. His older brother, Nils Carlson, also played the sport. More notably, his younger brother Anders Carlson pursued a career as a kicker as well, playing for the Green Bay Packers and later the New York Jets. This family legacy in football provided Daniel with both inspiration and healthy competition throughout his development as a kicker.
Path to Professional Football
After completing high school at The Classical Academy, Carlson accepted a scholarship to play for the Auburn Tigers under head coach Gus Malzahn. His collegiate career began in 2013 and spanned five seasons through 2017. During his time at Auburn, Carlson developed into one of the most prolific kickers in college football history.
Carlson never missed an extra point during his entire collegiate career with the Auburn Tigers, showcasing remarkable consistency and reliability. His 480 career points made him the all-time leading scorer in SEC football history, a record that stood until Will Reichard of Alabama passed him in 2023. This achievement cemented his reputation as one of the greatest kickers the conference had ever seen.
Daniel Vilhelm Carlson Career
Minnesota Vikings (2018)
Carlson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round with the 167th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He entered training camp competing with veteran kicker Kai Forbath for the starting job. Forbath was released on August 20, 2018, giving Carlson the opportunity to claim the position.
Carlson made his NFL debut in the season-opening victory against the San Francisco 49ers, converting all three extra point attempts and one field goal. However, his next performance proved costly. In a game against the Green Bay Packers, Carlson missed one field goal in regulation and two more in overtime, resulting in a 29-29 tie. The following day, the Vikings waived Carlson and signed veteran Dan Bailey to replace him.
Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders Breakthrough (2018-Present)
Carlson was signed by the Oakland Raiders on October 23, 2018, after the team released fellow rookie kicker Matt McCrane. This move marked the beginning of a transformative chapter in Carlson’s career. In his Raiders debut during Week 8, Carlson converted all four extra point attempts during a 42-28 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Three weeks later, Carlson made history. Against the Arizona Cardinals, he converted two extra points and three field goals, including a 35-yard game-winner as time expired, securing a 23-21 victory. This performance earned him his first AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor. Remarkably, Carlson converted 94 percent of his field goal attempts for the Raiders in 2018, setting a new team record for rookie kickers.
On April 16, 2020, Carlson was re-signed to a one-year contract. During the 2020 offseason, he switched his jersey number from 8 to 2 to allow quarterback Marcus Mariota to wear his preferred number. In Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, Carlson went a perfect 4-for-4 on extra points and field goals, including a career-long 54-yard field goal, during a 34-30 road victory. His performance earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, and he later added AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December 2020.
The 2021 season proved to be Carlson’s breakout year. In Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he converted all four field goal attempts and both extra-point attempts in a 26-17 victory, earning another AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award. On Thanksgiving Day against his hometown Dallas Cowboys, Carlson delivered a legendary performance. He went 3-for-3 on extra points and 5-for-5 on field goals, including a career-long 56-yarder in the fourth quarter and a 29-yarder to win in overtime, leading the Raiders to a 36-33 victory. This marked the first time in his career he earned the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor twice in a single season.
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. Down the stretch of the 2021 season, his kicking became increasingly crucial for the team. In Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns, he made all three field goal attempts, including a 48-yarder to win the game. Two weeks later against the Indianapolis Colts, Carlson accounted for 11 of the Raiders’ 23 points, including the game-winning field goal. His performance tied him with Nick Folk for leading the league in field goals made and attempted during the 2021 season.
In the regular season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, Carlson made five field goals, including a game-winning 47-yarder as time expired in overtime. The Raiders clinched a playoff spot and eliminated the Chargers from playoff contention in dramatic fashion. Carlson co-led the NFL in scoring for the second consecutive season in 2021.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2021-Present)
Following his stellar 2021 campaign, Carlson continued his excellent form into subsequent seasons. In the 2022 season, he converted 34 of 37 field goal attempts and 35 of 36 extra point attempts. His consistency earned him First-team All-Pro honors in 2022, along with Second-team All-Pro recognition in 2021.
The 2023 season saw Carlson convert all 32 extra point attempts while going 26 of 30 on field goals. In the 2024 season, he continued his reliable performance, converting 23 of 25 extra points and 34 of 40 field goals. His sustained excellence has made him a cornerstone of the Raiders special teams unit.
Driving Style and Strengths
Carlson’s kicking style is characterized by exceptional leg strength and remarkable consistency. He has demonstrated the ability to convert long-distance field goals, with his career-long at 60 yards. His accuracy on extra points and field goals has ranked among the league’s best throughout his career. Carlson has shown particular effectiveness in high-pressure situations, delivering game-winning kicks in crucial moments. His ability to perform in adverse conditions and deliver clutch kicks has earned him recognition as one of the NFL’s premier kickers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Carlson’s career has been defined by several signature performances. His Thanksgiving Day 2021 game against the Dallas Cowboys stands as one of the most memorable kicking performances in recent NFL history. The overtime victory in his hometown, combined with his perfect 8-for-8 kicking performance, showcased his ability to thrive under extreme pressure. His game-winning 47-yard field goal against the Los Angeles Chargers to close the 2021 regular season secured the Raiders’ playoff berth in dramatic fashion. Carlson has earned multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors throughout his career, with his 2020 and 2021 seasons seeing him co-lead the NFL in scoring.
Daniel Vilhelm Carlson Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career, Carlson has established himself as one of the most accurate and productive kickers in league history. His statistics reflect consistent excellence across multiple seasons with the Raiders organization.
NFL Career Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Carlson has made 225 field goals in 259 attempts, translating to an 86.9 percent accuracy rate. He has converted 244 of 255 extra point attempts, good for 95.7 percent. His career total stands at 919 points. He has recorded 348 touchbacks throughout his career. His longest recorded field goal is 60 yards, demonstrating his range and leg strength.
College Career Achievements
At Auburn, Carlson never missed an extra point during his entire collegiate career. He scored 480 career points, becoming the all-time leading scorer in SEC history. He was a three-time First-team All-SEC selection from 2015 to 2017 and earned Second-team All-American honors three times. He was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in both 2016 and 2017.
| Competition | Field Goals Made | Field Goals Attempted | FG Percentage | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career | 225 | 259 | 86.9% | 919 |
| College (Auburn) | 67 | 87 | 77.0% | 480 |
Daniel Vilhelm Carlson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Carlson comes from a family with strong football traditions. His father, Hans Carlson, and mother, Jodie Carlson, supported his athletic pursuits from an early age. His older brother, Nils Carlson, also played football, while his younger brother Anders Carlson followed in Daniel’s footsteps as a professional kicker. Anders played collegiately at Auburn as well before joining the NFL with the Green Bay Packers and later the New York Jets.
Personal Life
Carlson is a Christian and has spoken openly about his faith. He married Katherine Barker on January 13, 2018, in Birmingham, Alabama. The couple met during their time at Auburn University, where Katherine was also a student. Carlson and Katherine have three children together, including two daughters and a son. He maintains his Christian values and family-centered approach while balancing the demands of a professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents another solid year in Carlson’s consistently excellent career with the Las Vegas Raiders. Through the season’s action, Carlson continued his reputation as one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers, converting the vast majority of his attempts across both field goals and extra points.
Carlson converted 21 of 22 extra point attempts and 22 of 27 field goal attempts during the 2025 season. His consistency from moderate distances remained a strength, while his touchback numbers continued to contribute positively to the Raiders’ kickoff strategy. The veteran kicker has formed a strong partnership with his long snapper and holder, maintaining the precision that has defined his career.
As Carlson enters the latter stages of his four-year, $18.4 million contract signed in December 2021, his future with the organization remains a topic of interest. His sustained performance has solidified his value as one of the league’s top kickers, and his ability to deliver in pressure situations continues to make him an invaluable asset for the Raiders’ special teams unit.