Packers draft Trey Smack, release Brandon McManus

The Green Bay Packers selected Florida kicker Trey Smack with the No. 216 pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft and later released veteran Brandon McManus. Team officials cited Smack’s accuracy and the ability to drive a straight ball among the reasons for the move, stressing the need for consistency in Green Bay’s weather. The decision reflects the organization’s push to stabilize a position that has lacked continuity since Mason Crosby’s last season in 2022.

Smack’s football journey began unusually. He grew up playing soccer and lacrosse and shifted toward kicking in high school after his ability drew the attention of Joe Stover, the son of former NFL kicker Matt Stover. Stover then mentored Smack, emphasizing repeatable mechanics over raw power and helping refine his technique during the crucial early years of his development.

At Florida, Smack converted 53 of 64 field goal attempts and 100 of 101 extra points across his college career, highlighting reliability from short and intermediate ranges. He was the only kicker selected in this year’s draft, underscoring how tightly teams evaluated the position. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst and new special teams coordinator Cam Achord leaned on scouting evaluations that pointed to Smack’s ball flight, strike quality, and temperament for cold-weather environments.

Packers target reliability at kicker

Recent turnover prompted a reset

Green Bay has cycled through multiple kickers since Crosby’s 2022 finale. The club tried rookie Anders Carlson in 2023 and evaluated additional options the following offseason before settling on McManus during the 2024 campaign. Lucas Havrisik also handled duties in games McManus missed, reflecting the search for a lasting answer.

What the staff prioritized

Achord has stressed consistent contact and ball control over maximal power, a profile that fits late-season conditions at Lambeau Field. Smack’s appeal, officials said, stems from a compact approach and straight trajectory that can translate in wind and cold. Gutekunst also highlighted the importance of repeatability under pressure when assessing college specialists.

Smack’s path from multisport standout

Mentorship refined his technique

After Stover identified Smack’s leg talent in high school, the two focused on eliminating form flaws that could trade accuracy for distance. That attention to detail helped Smack rise quickly in national kicking rankings and prepared him for the jump to the SEC, where he established himself as Florida’s primary specialist.

College production at Florida

Smack’s 53-for-64 field goal record and near-perfect extra point ledger (100-for-101) gave evaluators a sizable sample on timing, plant foot discipline, and ball rotation. The Packers believe those markers, paired with his temperament, provide a foundation to build on as he transitions to the NFL.

Roster outlook and next steps

Competition ahead of the season

Following the draft, the Packers released McManus and retained Havrisik, setting the stage for Smack to compete through the offseason program and training camp. Coaches will monitor consistency, operation time with the snapper and holder, and kickoff placement before finalizing the depth chart.

Smack’s progress in offseason practices and preseason games will determine whether Green Bay has found a long-term solution at a position that has challenged the roster since Crosby’s departure.