What did Packers coordinator Cam Achord like about kicker Trey Smack?

The evaluation of new Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator Cam Achord played a big role in Brian Gutekunst using a sixth-round pick on Florida kicker Trey Smack in the 2026 draft.

So, what did Achord like about Smack coming out of the draft?

"Straight ball. Accuracy. His ball doesn't move a lot," Achord said on Monday.

Smack connected on 10 field goals of at least 50 yards, a school record at Florida. He has a strong leg, and he's on video hitting a field goal of 65 yards indoors, but Achord is more excited about Smack's ability to hit a straight ball from inside 50. During his final season at Florida, Smack hit 13 of 16 field goals under 50 yards.

"I don't need the guy 65 yards, personally," Achord said. "I want the guy that's going to put it through consistently from 55. We're playing in Green Bay, we're going to play in elements. You're not going to need the 60-yard ball all the time. You're going to need the 45-yard ball with a 14 mile per hour crosswind. His ball not moving was definitely a big part."

To kick a football straight requires nothing more than a consistency of the fundamentals. And a football kicked straight eliminates a movement variable, an important aspect of kicking in the wind and cold.

After coaching kickers in New England and New York, Achord isn't at all concerned about a kicker from Florida coming to Green Bay to kick.

"It's more made up than it is," Achord said. "To me, it's more about their mindset and learning how to play their ball in the wind and the elements than it is the cold weather. We're going to go kick cold footballs. We'll get used to that."

Smack will be competing against veteran Brandon McManus, the team's kicker since October of 2024, and Lucas Havrisik, who hit a franchise record 63-yard field goal while McManus was hurt last season. Achord is used to a three-player competition at kicker based on previous stops in New England and New York.