Trading away two draft picks for Trey Smack and then releasing Brandon McManus may appear to end any debates about the Green Bay Packers' kicking competition.
Smack is undoubtedly, undeniably the overwhelming favorite to kick for the Packers this season, but nothing is guaranteed for a rookie at this position. We've already seen this in the post-Mason Crosby era with Anders Carlson and Brayden Narveson. Many rookie kickers in the NFL have failed to live up to expectations.
The Packers certainly hope that's not the case with Smack, but OTAs will give us the first insight into how the kicking competition is faring, and that quietly makes Lucas Havrisik a must-watch player.
Don't forget about Lucas Havrisik as the Packers begin OTAs
Most draft picks, especially after a trade-up, have ample time to learn, develop, and overcome mistakes. Not Smack. The Packers can have all the confidence in the world in their rookie, and understandably so, but the kicker position is dripping in jeopardy. That's the nature of the job.
Nothing is guaranteed, certainly for a rookie sixth-round pick.
That's where Havrisik comes into the equation. Many assumed he'd be the odd man out after the Packers drafted Smack, or that he might ask for his release to go compete somewhere else. Instead, the Packers moved on from McManus and have kept Havrisik around.
We're only seven months removed from Havrisik shattering a Packers franchise record with a stunning 61-yard field goal against the Arizona Cardinals. It was three yards better than Mason Crosby's previous Packers record of 58.
It was around this time that Packers fans called for Havrisik to replace McManus, who had struggled for consistency while playing hurt.
In those two games, Havrisik converted all four field goals, including the franchise-record attempt, and all six of his extra-point tries. That's a perfect 10 from 10.
He crashed back down to earth a month later when returning to the lineup, missing two of his three extra-point tries versus the New York Giants. The veteran didn't play another snap.
Again, that's the jeopardy of the kicker position.
However, Havrisik showed enough during that brief cameo to stick around. Poise. A big leg. There's potential there.
Smack is in pole position for the job, as you'd expect after the Packers completely traded out of the seventh round to get him. They clearly believe in his potential. But there can be no patience at kicker, which is why the Packers have multiple on the roster in the first place.
The competition begins at OTAs. Smack may enter as the favorite, but Havrisik is one to watch. He has an opportunity to give the Packers an uncomfortable decision.
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