Official: Denver Broncos Place Franchise Tag On Matt Prater

The Denver Broncos placed their franchise tag on kicker Matt Prater, it was announced on Monday.

"Placing the franchise tag on Matt Prater ensures that he will be a Bronco in 2012," Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway said. "He is a very talented kicker and an important part of our team. This gives us the ability to continue working on a long-term agreement with Matt."

Prater is coming of a year in which made four game-winning field goals and led the league in touchback percentage (70.1% / 47-of-67). Overall, Prater connected on 19-of-25 field goals and 30-of-30 extra-point attempts during the regular season to finish with 87 points. He also made all four field goal attempts and converted on 5-of-5 PATs in two postseason games for the Broncos.

Entering his sixth NFL season in 2012, Prater ranks second in team history in field goal percentage (80.4% / 90-of-112)-just behind franchise leader Jason Elam (80.6% / 395-of-490). He owns the best field goal percentage from 50 or more yards (75.0% / 12-of-16) in NFL history (since 1970) and has converted on 28-of-29 (.966) career field goals in the fourth quarter or overtime.