Can you win your fantasy football league by drafting a good kicker? While a kicker won’t carry your team like a top-tier quarterback or running back, a reliable fantasy kicker can absolutely provide a crucial edge and help secure weekly victories. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to approach kicker selection with intelligence, ensuring you don’t leave points on the table. We’ll delve into everything from understanding their scoring potential to pinpointing overlooked talent.
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The Role of Kickers in Fantasy Football
Kickers are often an afterthought in fantasy drafts, the last piece of the puzzle. However, their role is significant. They score points in a variety of ways: extra points after touchdowns, field goals of varying distances, and sometimes even a touchback on kickoffs if your league scoring includes that. Their scoring is highly dependent on their team’s offensive success and their own accuracy. Picking the right kicker can be the difference between a win and a loss in a close matchup.
Scoring Breakdown
- Extra Points (PATs): Typically worth 1 point. These are the most frequent scoring opportunities for kickers.
- Field Goals:
- 20-29 yards: 3 points
- 30-39 yards: 3 points
- 40-49 yards: 4 points
- 50+ yards: 5 points
- Touchbacks: Some leagues award points for touchbacks on kickoffs.
When to Draft a Kicker
One of the most common questions is: When should I draft a kicker? The general consensus among fantasy experts is to wait until the very end of your draft. For most standard-sized leagues (10-12 teams), this means the final round or the second-to-last round. The reason for this is the relative predictability and scarcity of elite fantasy performers at other positions.
The Late-Round Approach
Think of it this way: a top-tier quarterback might score 5-10 more points per week than a serviceable backup. A top running back can easily outscore a replacement by 10-15 points. The difference between the best kicker and a middling kicker, however, is often much smaller, perhaps 2-4 points per week. Sacrificing a player with a higher potential ceiling at an earlier position for a kicker is generally not a wise move.
Kicker Draft Position: Your kicker’s draft position should be one of the last picks you make. There are very few situations where drafting a kicker in the middle rounds makes sense, unless you’re in a draft where kickers are being surprisingly scooped up much earlier than usual.
Factors for Finding a Good Fantasy Kicker
So, how do you go about finding a good fantasy kicker? It’s not just about picking the kicker from the best team. Several factors contribute to a kicker’s fantasy success.
Team Offense Quality
A kicker on a high-scoring offense will have more opportunities for both extra points and field goals. This is because the team is more likely to get into scoring position.
- Look for teams that move the ball effectively: Teams that consistently gain yards and get first downs will give their kicker more chances to score.
- Red zone efficiency: While touchdowns are great, teams that stall in the red zone but still kick field goals are gold for fantasy kickers.
Field Goal Opportunities and Distance
- Number of Field Goal Attempts: This is a key metric. A kicker who attempts many field goals, even if they miss some, can still be valuable.
- Long Field Goal Prowess: Kickers who are reliable from 40+ and 50+ yards offer a significant scoring boost. Leagues that award extra points for longer kicks heavily favor these specialists.
Accuracy and Consistency
- Career Accuracy: While past performance isn’t a perfect predictor, a kicker with a history of high accuracy is generally more reliable.
- Indoor vs. Outdoor Play: Kickers playing in domes or in warmer climates might have a slight advantage due to weather. However, this is a less significant factor than team offense.
Schedule Strength
- Opponent Defense: Consider the strength of the opposing defense. A kicker facing a strong defense might have fewer opportunities. However, a team that struggles to score touchdowns against a good defense might be forced to kick more field goals. This can be a nuanced consideration.
Analyzing Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings and Projections
When you’re looking for reliable fantasy kickers, consulting rankings and projections is a helpful starting point.
How to Interpret Rankings
- Focus on Volume: Good fantasy football kicker rankings will often prioritize kickers who are expected to get a high volume of attempts.
- Consider Team Situation: Look at the team’s offense and how likely they are to score.
- Long Field Goal Potential: Kickers on teams that frequently get into the 40-yard line range can be very valuable.
Using Projections Wisely
- Kicker Projections fantasy football data can give you an idea of expected points. However, remember that projections are just educated guesses.
- Don’t Over-Optimize: The difference between the 5th-ranked kicker and the 15th-ranked kicker might be only a few points over the entire season. The late-round strategy is still paramount.
Strategies for Drafting Kickers
Let’s talk about practical strategies for drafting kickers to maximize your team’s potential.
The “Set and Forget” Strategy (with a Caveat)
For many fantasy managers, the goal is to draft a kicker they can “set and forget” – meaning they can start them every week without much worry. This is achievable by targeting kickers on elite offenses. However, the caveat is that even the best kickers can have off weeks or face tough defensive matchups.
Streaming Kickers
A more advanced strategy involves “streaming” kickers. This means picking up and dropping kickers weekly based on their matchup.
When Streaming Makes Sense:
- You drafted a kicker very late: If you picked a kicker with no strong conviction, streaming is a great way to optimize points.
- You have a flexible roster: If your bench isn’t crucial for bye weeks or potential breakouts, you can afford to use a roster spot for a streaming kicker.
How to Stream:
- Identify favorable matchups: Look for kickers facing teams with poor defenses, especially those that allow opponents to gain yards but struggle to prevent field goals.
- Check for home/dome games: Less weather variability can be a small plus.
- Consider Vegas odds: Teams with high implied point totals are good targets.
- Use weekly kicker rankings: These are invaluable for identifying the best streaming options.
Avoiding Kickers on Poor Offenses
Even if a kicker is known for a strong leg, if their offense can’t move the ball, they won’t get opportunities. Avoid kickers on teams that consistently struggle to score or sustain drives.
Targeting Kickers on Explosive, but Not Always Scoring, Offenses
Sometimes, teams that score a lot of touchdowns might also be good enough to convert short-yardage situations into TDs rather than field goals. Conversely, teams that are good at moving the ball into the opponent’s territory but struggle with red zone efficiency can be fantastic for kickers. They’ll rack up field goal attempts.
Identifying Kicker Sleepers Fantasy Football Gems
Finding kicker sleepers fantasy football gems can provide a significant advantage, especially if you’re streaming. These are kickers who might be overlooked by others but have the potential to outperform their draft position.
What Makes a Kicker a Sleeper?
- New Offense/Coaching: A new offensive scheme or coaching staff might invigorate a previously mediocre offense.
- Improved Supporting Cast: If a team’s offensive line or weapons improve significantly, it can boost the entire offense, including the kicker.
- Change of Scenery: A kicker moving to a new team on a better offense can be a prime sleeper candidate.
- Strong Leg, Poor Team Situation: Some kickers possess exceptional leg strength but have historically been on bad teams. If that team improves even slightly, their volume could increase.
Researching Potential Sleepers
- Follow training camp reports: Any news about a kicker getting a lot of reps or showing a strong leg can be an indicator.
- Analyze preseason performance: While not definitive, strong preseason kicking can hint at a good season.
- Look for undervalued veteran kickers: Sometimes, experienced kickers on new teams are overlooked.
The Best Fantasy Football Kickers: What to Look For
When we talk about the best fantasy football kickers, we’re looking for a combination of volume, accuracy, and favorable team situations.
Key Attributes of Top Kickers
- High Volume of Attempts: This is paramount. More attempts equal more potential points.
- Reliability from Distance: Kickers who can hit 40+ and 50+ yard field goals offer a significant scoring ceiling.
- On a High-Powered Offense: A team that consistently moves the ball into scoring territory is crucial.
- Good Accuracy Percentage: While volume is king, extreme inaccuracy can hurt.
Example: Top Kickers from Previous Seasons (Illustrative)
Let’s consider what made some kickers consistently good in past seasons.
| Kicker (Hypothetical Example) | Team | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Tucker | Ravens | Elite accuracy, strong leg, high-scoring offense |
| Harrison Butker | Chiefs | Explosive offense, reliable, often in clutch situations |
| Tyler Bass | Bills | High-powered offense, frequent scoring opportunities |
| Evan McPherson | Bengals | Clutch kicker, team often in scoring range |
Note: This table is illustrative. Actual top kickers vary yearly based on team performance and scoring.
What about Rookie Kickers?
Rookie kickers can be risky. While they might have strong legs, they often lack the proven track record and reliable team situation needed for consistent fantasy production. It’s generally safer to stick with established veterans unless a rookie is on an overwhelmingly good offense.
Advanced Fantasy Football Kicker Strategy
Beyond the basics, what are some more advanced ways to approach kicker selection?
Understanding Divisional Matchups
Sometimes, kickers in strong divisions might face tougher defenses more frequently. However, these divisions often also feature high-scoring offenses, which can balance out the negative matchup. It’s a trade-off to consider, but usually, team offense trumps divisional strength.
The Impact of Coaching Changes
A coaching change can significantly impact an offense. A new offensive coordinator might implement a more aggressive style, utilize the kicker more, or simply improve the team’s overall scoring ability. Researching coaching changes is a good way to find potential kicker sleepers fantasy football.
Monitoring Bye Weeks
While you draft your kicker in the last round, you might eventually need a replacement during a bye week. Plan ahead by identifying potential streamers who play in different weeks than your primary kicker.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Even with a smart strategy, there are common mistakes fantasy managers make with kickers.
Drafting Kickers Too Early
As mentioned, this is the most common and detrimental mistake. The value you sacrifice by taking a kicker before the final rounds is too great.
Over-Reliance on Kickers from Top Teams
While a good offense is important, don’t just pick the kicker from the Super Bowl favorite if their offense isn’t particularly inclined to kick field goals or if they have a history of inaccuracy. Volume and distance potential are key.
Ignoring Weekly Matchups (If Not Streaming)
Even your “set and forget” kicker can have tough weeks. While you might not drop them, be aware of matchups where they might underperform and consider if another player on your bench could be a better option if the risk is high enough.
Overvaluing Long Field Goal Specialists
While a 50-yarder is great, a kicker who attempts two extra points and a 30-yard field goal might outscore the long-range specialist in a given week if the latter doesn’t get attempts from distance. Volume still matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: When is the best time to draft a kicker in fantasy football?
A1: You should draft a kicker in the very last round of your fantasy draft, or at most, the second-to-last round.
Q2: Should I always draft a kicker from the highest-scoring team?
A2: Not necessarily. While a high-scoring offense is good, you also need to consider the kicker’s volume of field goal attempts and their accuracy, especially from longer distances. A team that stalls in the red zone but still kicks field goals can be better for a kicker than an offense that scores exclusively touchdowns.
Q3: What is a “kicker sleeper”?
A3: A kicker sleeper is a player who is largely overlooked by the fantasy football community but has the potential to outperform their draft position or waiver wire status due to factors like an improved offense, a new team, or a favorable schedule.
Q4: Is it worth drafting a kicker with a notoriously strong leg who kicks long field goals?
A4: It can be, especially in leagues that award bonus points for longer field goals. However, this should be weighed against the kicker’s overall volume of attempts. A kicker who gets more opportunities for both extra points and shorter field goals might still outscore a long-range specialist who doesn’t get as many chances.
Q5: How do I decide between drafting a kicker and a defense/special teams (DST) unit in the last round?
A5: This often comes down to personal preference and league scoring. Generally, kickers are more predictable than DSTs, as DST scoring can be highly variable based on turnovers, defensive touchdowns, and opponent mistakes. Many managers prefer to secure a reliable kicker over a DST in the final round.
Q6: Are weekly kicker rankings reliable?
A6: Weekly kicker rankings are a helpful tool for identifying potential streamers or for making tough start/sit decisions. They take into account matchups, team performance, and other factors. However, like all rankings, they are not foolproof and should be used as a guide rather than gospel.
Q7: What are the best strategies for kickers after the draft?
A7: The main strategies after the draft are “set and forget” (keeping your drafted kicker all season) or “streaming” (picking up and dropping kickers weekly based on favorable matchups). Streaming can often yield better results if done diligently.
By following these strategies and focusing on the key factors that contribute to a kicker’s fantasy success, you can ensure this often-overlooked position provides consistent points for your team, helping you achieve victory on Sundays.