Mike Zimmer and the Vikings need to call up one of these kickers

3. Nick Folk

Folk kicked in four games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year, before being released and undergoing knee surgery. He went 6-for-11 on field goals and 7-for-9 on extra points, which may have been related to his knee issue until it came to light.

It’s curious that Folk didn’t get an opportunity to compete for a job somewhere during the preseason. He was an 82.2 percent field goal kicker for the New York Jets over seven seasons prior to last year, while converting 204 of 206 extra points over that span. From under 50 yards out while with the Jets, Folk converted at an 85.7 percent rate.

Last year can be considered an injury-related mulligan for an otherwise solid kicker. The Vikings should make a call to Folk’s agent, if only to certify he’s healthy enough to come in for a workout.

2. Kai Forbath

With the trade up to get Carlson in April’s draft, Forbath was put firmly on the hot seat. Then a missed field goal in a preseason game officially sealed his fate.

Forbath missed five extra points and six field goals last year, so perhaps he was replaceable. But none of those misses stand out as having clearly cost the Vikings a game, and three of the six field goal misses were from 50-plus yards out. Over his 23 games kicking for the Vikings, Forbath made 88.7 percent of his field goals (47-for-53).

Giving up draft picks to move up and draft a rookie kicker to replace a mostly reliable veteran like Forbath was an odd move. Going back to Forbath might be just as weird now, after he got little interest from other teams after being cut. But at least the Vikings would know exactly what they’re getting, for better or worse.