Ben Sauls

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Spotrac flags Ben Sauls's contract as a market-rate deal; FanVerdicts grades it A- Contract Value Index because the production-to-pay ratio shakes out accordingly. At $922,500 AAV over two years, Sauls is locked into a replacement-level kicker valuation—the kind of modest commitment teams make to depth placekickers with minimal leverage or proven track record. His 2025 season marked limited exposure (3 games), and his B- performance grade reflects the kind of unspectacular, low-volume role that justifies a sub-$1M annual investment; he's doing the job without overdelivering or underdelivering in a way that moves the needle. As a 24-year-old in his rookie season, Sauls remains in the early-career window where teams are still evaluating fit and consistency—this contract is appropriately scaled for that stage, with no bloated guarantees or front-loaded penalties that could handcuff the Giants' cap sheet. The Giants' recent activity (signing receivers and adding offensive line depth while cutting at other positions) underscores that the organization views Sauls as roster filler rather than a priority, which aligns perfectly with the Contract Value Index grade; there's no excess being paid here. Over a two-year horizon, this deal carries minimal risk and zero dead-cap implications, making it a clean, forgettable arrangement that allows the team to move on without penalty if a better option emerges.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the A band — a quick read on where Ben's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Snap share and per-play impact line up to a B- performance grade for Ben Sauls. The 24-year-old is operating as a replacement-level kicker in his rookie season, reflecting solid but unspectacular execution on a limited sample during the 2025 season when he appeared in three games. Without detailed kick-by-kick breakdowns in the provided stats, the B- grade suggests he handled his opportunities without notable errors, though the modest three-game volume underscores his backup role on a 4-13 Giants roster that saw considerable turnover this offseason. The Giants' recent transaction activity—headlined by the release of starter Jason Sanders on June 2nd and the addition of multiple wide receivers—signals that the front office is prioritizing skill-position depth over special teams investment, a dynamic that effectively caps Sauls' upside trajectory. As a depth piece on a $0.9M contract, Sauls remains entirely dependent on injury to the primary kicker to earn meaningful snaps; barring that scenario, he should expect minimal national attention and continued anonymity throughout 2026, consistent with his current D sentiment grade that reflects media indifference rather than any specific controversy.

How Ben Compares at the Position

Ben Sauls ranks 9th of 39 graded pks by performance. That slots Ben between Matt Prater (B-) just ahead and Spencer Shrader (C+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Ben Sauls enters the 2026 offseason cycle carrying a D sentiment grade, which is less a product of negative coverage than it is a reflection of near-total media invisibility — the default state for a backup placekicker on a 4-13 Giants squad. National outlets have virtually no reason to train their cameras on a depth kicker with a modest $0.9M AAV, and beat reporters surface his name only in the context of training camp roster competition rather than any meaningful performance story. That media indifference tracks closely with his D+ performance grade, both grades painting the same picture of a replacement-level player who appeared in three games during the 2025 season without generating a headline worth filing. The Giants' recent offseason activity — adding DJ Reader, Shelby Harris, and Leki Fotu on the defensive side while also bringing in quarterback Brandon Allen — signals a front office focused on shoring up skill positions and defensive depth, moves that further crowd Sauls off the attention radar. Fan engagement mirrors the media silence; Giants supporters fixated on a roster overhaul have little emotional investment in the kicker battle unless a missed field goal in a consequential moment forces the conversation. The sentiment trajectory has trended downward over the last 30 days, though that slide is more a function of accumulated irrelevance than any specific controversy. Until a starting kicker injury or a high-profile accuracy lapse thrusts him into the spotlight, Sauls is effectively a non-story.