In fantasy football, kicker points are awarded based on the real-life performance of the placekicker in NFL games, primarily through successful field goals and extra points. What is a kicker’s role in fantasy football? Kickers are specialist players who score points for your fantasy team by making field goals and extra points. They can also lose points for missed kicks.
When building a fantasy football team, a kicker might seem like a straightforward pick. You know they’ll attempt kicks, and those kicks will either go through the uprights or they won’t. However, there’s more to fantasy football kicker scoring than meets the eye. Fathoming the nuances of how kickers earn points can be the difference between a weekly win and a disappointing loss. This guide will break down everything you need to know about kicker performance in fantasy football, from basic scoring to advanced strategies.
The Core of Kicker Scoring: Field Goals and Extra Points
At their most fundamental level, kickers score points through successful field goals and extra points (PATs). The exact point values can vary slightly depending on the league settings, but the general structure remains consistent across most platforms.
Field Goal Points
- Short Field Goals (Typically 1-39 yards): These usually award 3 points.
- Medium Field Goals (Typically 40-49 yards): These often award 3 points, but some leagues might offer a bonus.
- Long Field Goals (Typically 50+ yards): These are where kickers can really rack up points. Most leagues award 3 points for a 50-yard field goal, with an additional 1 point bonus for every 10 yards beyond 50. So, a 50-yarder might be 3+1=4 points, a 60-yarder could be 3+2=5 points, and so on.
- Missed Field Goals: This is a crucial aspect of understanding kicker scoring. Most leagues deduct points for missed field goals. A common deduction is 1 point for any missed attempt, regardless of distance. Some leagues might have different penalties for longer misses or consecutive misses.
Extra Point (PAT) Points
- Successful Extra Point: Typically awards 1 point. This is a relatively consistent scoring category for kickers.
- Missed Extra Point: Most leagues deduct 1 point for a missed PAT. This can happen due to a bad snap, hold, or simply a poor kick.
Other Scoring Categories
While field goals and extra points are the bread and butter of kicker scoring, some leagues may include other categories:
- Touchbacks on Kickoffs: Some leagues award a small bonus, like 1 point, for a touchback on a kickoff. This encourages kickers to kick deep and avoid touchbacks being returned.
- Points Lost Due to Blocked Kicks: A blocked kick usually results in zero points for the kicker, and potentially a negative outcome if it leads to a turnover or defensive score.
Deciphering Kicker Projections and Rankings
To maximize your kicker’s output, you need to look beyond just the raw scoring rules. This involves analyzing kicker projections fantasy football and understanding kicker rankings fantasy football.
How Projections Work
Kicker projections are educated guesses about how many points a kicker will score in a given week. These projections are typically based on several factors:
- Team Offense: A strong offense that frequently moves the ball into scoring position, especially within field goal range, provides more opportunities for kickers. Teams that struggle to score touchdowns might rely more on field goals.
- Team Situation: Teams in dome stadiums or warm weather climates tend to have more consistent kicking performances than those playing in adverse weather conditions.
- Opposing Defense: Defenses that are strong against the run might force teams to pass, potentially leading to more throws into field goal range. Conversely, a defense that struggles to get pressure on the quarterback could give the kicker more time.
- Kicker’s History: A kicker’s accuracy rates, long-range success, and performance under pressure are all considered.
- Schedule: The strength of the opposing defense and the venue (dome, outdoor, weather) play a significant role in kicker projections.
Reading Kicker Rankings
Kicker rankings are simply a list of kickers ordered by their projected fantasy points for a given week or season. When looking at rankings, consider:
- Source: Different fantasy football providers use different projection models, so rankings can vary. It’s often beneficial to consult multiple sources.
- Tiering: Kickers are often grouped into tiers. The top tier usually contains the elite kickers who have a track record of high-volume scoring opportunities. The subsequent tiers represent kickers with more situational appeal or those who are less consistent.
- Upside vs. Floor: Some kickers have a high ceiling (potential for many points) due to their team’s offense, while others have a reliable floor (guaranteed to score at least a few points) due to their consistency.
Crafting Your Kicker Strategy: How to Draft Kickers
The question of how to draft kickers fantasy football is a perennial debate. Traditionally, kickers were drafted in the last round, but in some leagues, their scoring has become valuable enough to warrant earlier picks.
The Late-Round Approach
The most common strategy is to wait until the very last round of your draft to select a kicker. The rationale is that the point difference between the top-tier kickers and the mid-to-lower tier kickers is often minimal compared to the point difference between top-tier players at other positions (QB, RB, WR, TE). By using earlier picks on these skill positions, you build a stronger foundation for your team.
The Zero-RB/WR Strategy (and its Kicker Implications)
While less common for kickers, some fantasy managers employ “Zero-RB” or “Zero-WR” strategies, focusing on other positions early. This approach could free up an earlier pick for a truly elite kicker, but it’s still generally considered a risky move.
Identifying Elite Kickers
When evaluating kickers for your draft, consider:
- Team Offense: Does the kicker play for a team that consistently moves the ball into scoring territory? Teams with high-powered offenses that sometimes stall in the red zone are prime candidates for field goal opportunities.
- Coaching Tendencies: Does the coach have a history of relying on their kicker for points, or are they more aggressive in going for two or punting on fourth down?
- Home/Dome Kickers: Kickers who play most of their games in domes or in favorable weather climates tend to be more reliable.
- Leg Strength: While not always directly reflected in standard scoring, a kicker with a strong leg might benefit from bonus points for longer field goals.
Kicker Matchups and Waiver Wire: Weekly Management
Once your draft is complete, the work isn’t over. Managing your kicker throughout the season often involves paying attention to kicker matchups fantasy football and utilizing the kicker waiver wire fantasy football.
Analyzing Weekly Matchups
- Indoor vs. Outdoor: Kickers playing indoors generally have a higher scoring potential due to the absence of weather impacts.
- Weather Conditions: In outdoor games, consider the impact of wind, rain, and cold. Strong winds can affect both accuracy and distance.
- Opposing Defense: As mentioned earlier, strong defenses can limit touchdown opportunities, potentially increasing field goal attempts. Teams that give up a lot of points but also allow teams to move the ball into field goal range are good targets.
- Game Total: Games with high projected point totals often lead to more scoring opportunities for both teams, including kickers.
Navigating the Kicker Waiver Wire
The waiver wire is your best friend for replacing underperforming kickers or finding matchups.
- Target Kickers on Good Offenses: Look for kickers whose teams consistently drive into field goal range.
- Favorable Matchups: Prioritize kickers facing defenses that allow a high number of field goal attempts or have a history of allowing kickers to score well.
- Replacement Kickers: If your starting kicker has a bye week or a particularly tough matchup, check the waiver wire for a suitable replacement.
- Volume vs. Accuracy: While accuracy is important, a kicker on a high-volume offense who might miss a few kicks can still outscore a more accurate kicker on a struggling team.
The Role of Fantasy Kicker Defense
While “fantasy kicker defense” might sound like a misnomer, it relates to how a kicker’s performance can be indirectly influenced by the defensive side of the ball.
- Opponent’s Defensive Pressure: If a kicker’s team faces a defense that generates a lot of pressure, it can disrupt the snap and hold, potentially leading to missed kicks or blocks. Conversely, a weak pass rush might give the kicker’s team more time to execute.
- Defensive Scores: If the opposing defense scores a touchdown or a safety, it can sometimes impact the offensive flow of the kicker’s team, potentially leading to fewer scoring opportunities for the kicker.
Key Considerations for Best Fantasy Football Kickers
When scouting for the best fantasy football kickers, several factors come into play:
- Team Offense Consistency: A team that reliably moves the ball into field goal range is paramount. Look for teams that often find themselves just outside the end zone.
- Red Zone Efficiency: While touchdowns are great, a team that struggles in the red zone but still gets into field goal range is a goldmine for kickers.
- Coaching Philosophy: Does the coach trust their kicker? A conservative coach might opt for a field goal on fourth down more often than an aggressive coach.
- Home Field Advantage: Teams that play in domes or have consistently good weather conditions are often preferred.
- Injury Situations: While less impactful for kickers than other positions, injuries on a team’s offense can sometimes shift scoring dynamics.
Common Pitfalls and Strategies
Overvaluing Kickers
A common mistake is spending too high a draft pick on a kicker or becoming too attached to a “name brand” kicker who is on a struggling offense. Remember, the point difference between the top kickers and those drafted in the last round is often small.
Ignoring Weather
Always factor in weather. A kicker playing in a blizzard or heavy winds will likely have a much lower scoring output than one playing in a dome.
Not Having a Backup Plan
If your primary kicker has a tough matchup or is on a bye, have a plan for who you’ll pick up from the waiver wire. This requires monitoring weekly matchups.
The Impact of Rule Changes on Kicker Scoring
It’s worth noting that NFL rule changes can occasionally impact kicker scoring. For example, rules that encourage offense or alter how safeties are handled might indirectly affect field goal opportunities. Fantasy platforms generally adapt their scoring to reflect these changes, but it’s good practice to stay aware of any significant shifts in the game.
Conclusion: Kicker Strategy in Fantasy Football
While often an afterthought, kickers play a vital role in fantasy football. By grasping the intricacies of fantasy football kicker scoring, paying attention to kicker projections fantasy football, and strategically managing your kicker through kicker matchups fantasy football and the kicker waiver wire fantasy football, you can gain a competitive edge. Whether you’re focused on how to draft kickers fantasy football or simply looking to improve your weekly kicker performance fantasy football, a thoughtful approach to this often-overlooked position can contribute significantly to your team’s success. Remember to always check your specific league’s scoring rules to ensure you’re maximizing your kicker’s potential.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What are the most common point values for field goals in fantasy football?
A1: Typically, field goals inside 40 yards are worth 3 points, field goals between 40-49 yards are worth 3 points, and field goals of 50 yards or more are worth 3 points plus a bonus (usually 1 point for every 10 yards over 50).
Q2: How many points is an extra point (PAT) typically worth?
A2: A successful extra point is usually worth 1 point in fantasy football.
Q3: Do kickers lose points for missed kicks?
A3: Yes, most fantasy football leagues deduct points for missed field goals and extra points. A common deduction is 1 point for any miss.
Q4: Should I draft a kicker early in fantasy football?
A4: It’s generally advised to draft a kicker in the last round of your fantasy draft. The difference in points between top kickers and those drafted later is usually smaller than the difference between top players at other positions.
Q5: How important are kicker matchups in fantasy football?
A5: Kicker matchups are very important for weekly strategy. Factors like weather, opposing defense, and the offensive strength of the kicker’s team all influence their potential scoring output.
Q6: What makes a kicker a “good” fantasy football option?
A6: A good fantasy kicker typically plays for a strong offense that moves the ball into scoring position frequently, has a history of accuracy, and ideally plays in a dome or favorable weather conditions.
Q7: How do I find good kickers on the waiver wire?
A7: Look for kickers on teams with high-scoring offenses, favorable upcoming matchups (considering weather and opponent defense), and those who are often in field goal range.