In fantasy football, a kicker typically scores points for successful field goals and extra points. The exact point values can vary slightly between different platforms and leagues, but generally, a made field goal from under 40 yards is worth 3 points, between 40-49 yards is 4 points, and 50+ yards is 5 points. Extra points are usually worth 1 point, with some leagues offering bonuses for longer kicks or multiple successful kicks.
The role of a kicker in fantasy football is often debated. Some managers see them as a plug-and-play position, providing a predictable floor of points each week. Others view them as a necessary evil, a way to fill out their roster while hoping for a week-winning performance. Regardless of your personal opinion, comprehending how points are earned by kickers is crucial for success in your fantasy league. This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricacies of fantasy football kicker scoring, helping you decipher the point values and maximize your team’s potential.
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Deciphering Kicker Scoring: The Core of Fantasy Points
At its heart, fantasy football scoring for kickers revolves around the real-world actions of their NFL counterparts. Every successful kick translates into points on your fantasy roster. The most common scoring categories for kickers are:
- Made Field Goals: This is the primary way kickers rack up points. The distance of the field goal significantly impacts the point total.
- Made Extra Points (PATs): After a touchdown, teams attempt an extra point kick. These are generally worth fewer points than field goals but can add up over a season.
- Missed Field Goals: Most leagues penalize kickers for missed field goals, typically deducting points, especially if the miss is from a shorter distance.
- Blocked Kicks: Similar to missed field goals, blocked kicks usually result in a point deduction.
Let’s break down the typical point system you’ll encounter.
How Points for Kicker: A Detailed Breakdown
While leagues can customize their scoring, here’s a widely accepted standard for how points for a kicker are awarded:
Field Goals
- 0-39 Yards: 3 points
- 40-49 Yards: 4 points
- 50+ Yards: 5 points
Important Note: Some leagues offer bonus points for longer field goals. For instance, a league might award an additional point for every field goal made from 50 yards or beyond. Always check your specific league’s settings.
Extra Points
- Made Extra Point: 1 point
Variations: Occasionally, leagues might offer a small bonus for extra points, like 1.5 points if a kicker makes multiple extra points in a game. However, 1 point is the most common.
Penalties and Deductions
- Missed Field Goal (0-39 Yards): -1 point (This is common, but some leagues might not deduct points for shorter misses.)
- Missed Field Goal (40-49 Yards): -1 point
- Missed Field Goal (50+ Yards): -1 point
- Blocked Field Goal: -1 point
- Blocked Extra Point: -1 point
These deductions are crucial. A kicker who consistently makes shorter kicks but misses from long range might score fewer fantasy points than a kicker who is less accurate but has a powerful leg.
Fantasy Football Kicker Points: Beyond the Basics
Understanding the basic point values is just the first step. To truly excel, you need to consider nuances in kicker scoring systems and how these can influence player selection.
Bonus Points: Rewarding Exceptional Performance
Some fantasy football scoring kicker systems incorporate bonus points to reward kickers for outstanding performances. These can include:
- Longest Field Goal Bonus: An additional point or two for the longest field goal made in a game, especially if it’s over 50 yards.
- Multiple Field Goals Bonus: A bonus for making a certain number of field goals in a single game (e.g., 3 points for making 3 or more field goals).
- Made Extra Points Bonus: As mentioned, some leagues might offer a bonus for making multiple extra points, though this is less common.
These bonuses can significantly boost a kicker’s weekly score and make a difference in close matchups. Always review your league’s specific rules for any such bonuses.
The Impact of Scoring System Variations
The variations in fantasy kicker scoring rules can have a substantial impact on player rankings and draft strategies. For example:
- Point-Per-Yard Leagues: While rare for kickers, some leagues might have a system where longer field goals are worth more points on a sliding scale.
- Negative Points for Misses: Leagues that heavily penalize missed field goals will favor kickers with higher accuracy percentages. A kicker who is 90% from under 40 yards but only 50% from 50+ yards might be more valuable than a strong-legged kicker who struggles with consistency.
- Full-Point PPR (Points Per Reception) for Kickers: This is extremely uncommon, but if a league were to award points for every kick attempt (even misses), it would fundamentally change the position’s value. Stick to leagues with standard scoring unless you’re intentionally seeking a highly unusual format.
NFL Kicker Points Fantasy: Factors Influencing Production
Beyond the scoring rules, several real-world NFL factors influence how many fantasy points a kicker can realistically accumulate.
Team Offense Quality
A kicker’s opportunities are directly tied to their team’s offensive performance.
- Red Zone Efficiency: Teams that frequently reach the red zone but struggle to score touchdowns will provide more opportunities for extra points and short-to-medium range field goals.
- Ability to Move the Chains: Teams that consistently gain first downs will keep their kickers in range for field goal attempts. A struggling offense that can’t sustain drives will limit a kicker’s upside.
- Red Zone Failures: Conversely, teams that consistently stall outside the red zone will lead to more field goal attempts from longer distances, which often carry higher point values but also a greater risk of missing.
Opponent’s Defense
The strength of the opposing defense also plays a role.
- Red Zone Defense: A strong red zone defense can force opponents to settle for field goals, increasing a kicker’s opportunities.
- Pass Rush: A fearsome pass rush can lead to blocked kicks or rushed attempts, which can result in missed opportunities and negative points for the kicker.
Weather Conditions
Football is an outdoor sport, and weather can significantly impact kicking.
- Wind: Strong winds can make longer field goals extremely difficult and can affect the trajectory of even shorter kicks.
- Rain and Snow: Wet or slippery conditions can affect a kicker’s footing and the ball’s grip, leading to more misses.
- Cold: Extreme cold can make the ball harder and potentially affect a kicker’s touch and leg strength.
Coaching Tendencies
Coaches have different philosophies on when to attempt a field goal versus going for it on fourth down.
- Aggressiveness: Aggressive coaches might opt to go for it on fourth down more often, even in field goal range, limiting their kicker’s opportunities.
- Conservatism: Conservative coaches are more likely to send out their kicker in many situations, increasing their volume.
Fantasy Kicker Scoring Rules: What to Look For in a League
When joining a fantasy football league, pay close attention to the specific scoring settings for kickers. Here are some key aspects to examine:
Standard vs. Non-Standard Scoring
- Standard Scoring: Most leagues adhere to the general point-per-yard breakdown for field goals and 1 point for extra points. This is the most common and predictable format.
- Custom Scoring: Be aware of leagues that might offer significantly different point values. For example, a league might award 4 points for all made field goals, regardless of distance, or give substantial bonuses for long kicks. These deviations can drastically alter the perceived value of a kicker.
Point Deductions
- Frequency and Severity of Deductions: Leagues that penalize missed field goals more heavily will naturally favor kickers with higher accuracy. If a league deducts a full point for any missed field goal, a kicker who misses two 50-yard attempts might have a negative fantasy score for that game, even if they made other kicks.
Bonus Point Structure
- Presence and Magnitude of Bonuses: Leagues with generous bonus structures for long field goals or multiple made kicks can elevate certain kickers above others who might have more consistent but less spectacular performances.
Fantasy Kicker Point Values: Strategy and ADP
The perceived value of a kicker in fantasy football is often reflected in their Average Draft Position (ADP). While kickers are typically drafted in the later rounds (often the last few rounds), their draft capital can be influenced by the league’s scoring.
The “Kicker Cliff”
The term “kicker cliff” refers to the point in the draft where the talent drop-off among available kickers becomes significant. For many managers, this means waiting until the very last rounds to select a kicker, as the difference between the 5th and 15th ranked kicker might be minimal in standard scoring.
Factors Influencing Kicker ADP
- Offensive Support: Kickers on high-powered offenses that consistently move the ball are generally drafted higher because they are expected to have more opportunities.
- Leg Strength: Kickers known for their powerful legs are more appealing in leagues with bonuses for longer field goals.
- Accuracy: In leagues that heavily penalize misses, accurate kickers will be prioritized.
- Venue: Kickers who play in stadiums known for favorable kicking conditions (e.g., domes, less windy outdoor stadiums) might see a slight bump in their perceived value.
Points Earned Kicker Fantasy: Optimizing Your Selection
Choosing a kicker isn’t just about picking the one with the most famous name. A strategic approach can yield better results.
Draft Day Strategy
- Wait, Wait, Wait: As mentioned, the general consensus is to wait until the final rounds of your draft to select a kicker. The potential upside of drafting a solid tight end or a promising backup running back often outweighs the marginal difference between the top few kickers.
- Target Kickers on Good Offenses: Look for kickers whose teams have strong offenses, particularly those that get into field goal range frequently but might not always punch it into the end zone.
- Consider the Schedule: In deeper leagues or if you’re planning for the playoffs, look at the strength of schedule for kickers in the later weeks.
During the Season
- Waiver Wire Pickups: The kicker position is often a source of weekly streamers. If your current kicker is underperforming or facing a particularly tough defense, don’t be afraid to look for a replacement on the waiver wire, especially one playing a weak opposing defense or in good weather conditions.
- Matchup Based Starts: Just like with other positions, consider the matchup. A kicker facing a top-tier defense known for shutting down offenses might be a player to avoid, while a kicker playing a team that struggles to prevent opponents from getting into scoring position could be a good play.
Kicker Scoring System: Understanding League Settings
The absolute most critical piece of advice for any fantasy football manager is this: know your league’s scoring settings. This cannot be stressed enough, especially when it comes to kickers.
How to Find Your League’s Scoring Settings
- League Homepage: Most fantasy football platforms (ESPN, Yahoo, Sleeper, etc.) have a dedicated section for league settings or rules.
- Commish Communication: If you’re unsure, reach out to your league commissioner. They can provide the exact details of your league’s scoring.
By familiarizing yourself with your specific kicker scoring system, you can make informed decisions that will benefit your team throughout the season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the standard point value for a made extra point in fantasy football?
A1: The standard point value for a made extra point in most fantasy football leagues is 1 point.
Q2: How many points is a 50-yard field goal typically worth?
A2: A 50-yard field goal is typically worth 5 fantasy points. Some leagues may offer bonus points for kicks from this distance or beyond.
Q3: Do fantasy football leagues penalize kickers for missed field goals?
A3: Yes, most fantasy football leagues penalize kickers for missed field goals, usually deducting 1 point. The distance of the missed kick may or may not affect the deduction, depending on the league’s specific rules.
Q4: Can I get points for a blocked extra point?
A4: No, you do not get points for a blocked extra point. In fact, most leagues will penalize your kicker 1 point for a blocked extra point.
Q5: What are the most important factors to consider when drafting a kicker?
A5: When drafting a kicker, consider their team’s offensive production (opportunities for kicks), the kicker’s accuracy, leg strength (especially in leagues with long-kick bonuses), and the stadium/weather conditions they typically play in. However, most managers wait until the final rounds to draft a kicker.
Q6: How many points does a kicker get for a 45-yard field goal?
A6: In standard scoring, a 45-yard field goal is typically worth 4 fantasy points.
Q7: What is considered a “long” field goal in fantasy scoring?
A7: A field goal of 50 yards or more is generally considered a “long” field goal and usually earns more fantasy points (5 points) than shorter kicks. Some leagues may offer additional bonuses for kicks of 50+ yards.
Q8: Are there leagues where kickers score more than touchdowns?
A8: While theoretically possible with highly unusual scoring settings, it’s extremely rare. In standard fantasy football leagues, touchdowns scored by players are almost always worth significantly more points than a kicker’s successful kicks.
By internalizing these scoring mechanisms and strategic considerations, you can approach the kicker position in your fantasy football league with greater confidence and a sharper edge. Remember to always prioritize understanding your specific league’s rules, as that is the ultimate key to unlocking success with your fantasy football kicker.