What is the best way to pick a kicker in fantasy football? The best way to pick a kicker in fantasy football is to treat them as a late-round dart throw, focusing on players on high-powered offenses with consistent opportunities, and being willing to stream the position throughout the season.
When you’re putting together your fantasy football team, every pick matters. You meticulously analyze running backs, wide receivers, and quarterbacks, weighing their potential against their draft position. But what about the kicker? Often overlooked, the kicker can be the difference between a win and a loss in a close matchup. This guide will delve deep into the art of selecting a reliable fantasy football kicker, ensuring you don’t leave crucial points on the table. We’ll explore the ins and outs of kicker performance, analyze the factors that contribute to their success, and provide a clear strategy for drafting and managing them throughout your fantasy season.
Image Source: phantom-marca.unidadeditorial.es
Fathoming Kicker Performance Metrics
To pick a kicker wisely, we first need to decipher what makes a kicker successful in fantasy football. It’s not just about the strongest leg; it’s about opportunity and consistency.
Key Performance Indicators for Kickers
Several statistics paint a clear picture of a kicker’s fantasy potential. Let’s break down the most important ones:
- Field Goal Attempts (FGA): This is the most fundamental metric. A kicker can’t score points if they aren’t attempting field goals. More attempts mean more potential points.
- Made Field Goals (FGM): Obviously, a made field goal is worth points. The higher the number of made field goals, the better.
- Extra Point Attempts (XPA) and Made Extra Points (XPM): While less valuable per attempt than field goals, extra points add up, especially for kickers on offenses that score a lot of touchdowns.
- Field Goal Percentage (FG%): This indicates accuracy. While a high-FG% is desirable, a kicker on a high-volume offense might still be valuable even with a slightly lower percentage if they are getting many more attempts.
- Longest Field Goal Made: While not a consistent scoring metric, a kicker who can hit from long range offers upside for bonus points in certain leagues.
- Touchbacks on Kickoffs (TB): In some leagues, kickers receive points for touchbacks. This is a minor scoring category but can provide a small boost.
Analyzing Kickers Within Their Team Context
A kicker’s success is inextricably linked to their team’s offensive performance. Here’s how to analyze this crucial connection:
- Offensive Firepower: Teams that score a lot of touchdowns are more likely to have kickers attempt extra points. More importantly, offenses that struggle to finish drives in the end zone but consistently move the ball into field goal range will provide more field goal opportunities for their kicker.
- Red Zone Efficiency: Teams that are good at scoring touchdowns in the red zone might limit field goal attempts for their kicker. Conversely, teams that stall out inside the 20-yard line often rely on their kicker to put points on the board.
- Coaching Tendencies: Some coaches are more aggressive and will attempt field goals from further out, while others prefer to go for it on fourth down. This can significantly impact a kicker’s opportunities.
- Pace of Play: Teams that play at a fast pace and run more plays per game generally offer more scoring opportunities, benefiting their kicker.
Crafting Your Fantasy Football Kicker Strategy
Now that we know what to look for, let’s build a winning kicker strategy. This involves how you acquire them, when you acquire them, and how you manage them throughout the season.
Drafting Kickers Fantasy Football: When to Strike
The question of when to draft a kicker is a perennial debate. Here’s a breakdown of the prevailing wisdom:
- The Late-Round Approach: Most seasoned fantasy managers advocate for drafting a kicker in the final rounds of their draft. This is often referred to as “waiting on kickers.” The rationale is that the point difference between the top-tier kickers and those drafted later is often minimal compared to the potential difference between top-tier and later-round skill position players.
- The “Never Draft a Kicker” Strategy: Some managers choose to punt the position entirely, opting to pick up a kicker from the waiver wire just before Week 1. This strategy frees up draft capital for players with higher upside at other positions.
- Targeting High-Upside Kickers: If you do decide to draft a kicker, focus on players on offenses that are projected to score a lot of points and move the ball into scoring position frequently.
Evaluating Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings and Tiers
To make informed decisions, consulting fantasy football kicker rankings is essential. These rankings typically group kickers into fantasy football kicker tiers, helping you understand the drop-off in potential production.
Tier 1: The Elite Options
These are the kickers on the most potent offenses, often with a history of high scoring. They are usually tied to teams expected to consistently move the ball into field goal range and have a good extra point conversion rate.
Tier 2: Solid Starters
These kickers are on good offenses but might not have the same explosive potential as Tier 1. They are reliable options who will get consistent opportunities.
Tier 3: Mid-Range Options
These kickers are on offenses that are decent but not spectacular. They can be streamers or players you’re comfortable with if you can’t secure a higher-tier option.
Tier 4: Deep Sleepers and Risky Plays
These are players with potential but significant question marks. They might be on offenses that are improving, have a new coaching staff, or have kickers with limited track records.
Kicker Value Fantasy Football: Maximizing Your Return
Kicker value fantasy football is about getting the most points for the draft capital you invest. Since kickers are typically drafted late, their value is amplified if they significantly outperform their draft position.
- Opportunity vs. Accuracy: As mentioned, more attempts often trump higher accuracy when considering kicker performance fantasy football. A kicker who attempts five field goals from 40-49 yards and makes four will score more than a kicker who attempts two and makes two, even if the latter is more accurate.
- Red Zone Failures: Kickers on teams that consistently stall in the red zone but move the ball well are goldmines for fantasy points. They will rack up both extra point and field goal attempts.
- Home Field Advantage: While not a primary factor, playing in a dome or a stadium with favorable weather can offer a slight edge.
Kickers on High-Powered Offenses: A Blueprint for Success
The most reliable way to identify good fantasy football kickers is to look at the offenses they play for.
- Top NFL Offenses: Teams consistently in the top half of offensive yards and points per game are prime hunting grounds.
- Teams with Good Quarterbacks: Elite quarterbacks often elevate their entire offense, leading to more scoring opportunities.
- Teams with Strong Offensive Lines: A good offensive line keeps the quarterback clean and opens up running lanes, contributing to sustained drives.
Kicker Sleepers Fantasy Football: Unearthing Hidden Gems
Finding kicker sleepers fantasy football can be a game-changer. These are players who might be overlooked in drafts but have the potential to outperform their draft stock.
- Favorable Schedule: A kicker with a relatively easy early-season schedule can provide a solid start.
- Offensive Improvement: If a team is expected to significantly improve its offense from the previous year, their kicker’s opportunities might also increase.
- New Coaching Staff: A new offensive coordinator might implement a more aggressive or pass-heavy scheme that leads to more scoring.
Managing Your Kicker Throughout the Season
Drafting is only half the battle. Effective waiver wire management and strategic streaming are crucial for maximizing your kicker’s contribution.
Streaming Kickers: The Art of the Weekly Pick-Up
Streaming kickers means dropping your current kicker and picking up a new one from the waiver wire each week based on favorable matchups. This is a viable strategy, especially if you didn’t draft a top-tier kicker.
Factors to Consider When Streaming
- Matchup: Target kickers playing against defenses that are weak against field goals or extra points. This often means defenses that struggle to prevent teams from moving the ball into scoring position.
- Indoor Games: Kickers playing in domes or in warm weather cities are generally more reliable than those playing in harsh conditions.
- Vegas Lines: Check the over/under for games. High-scoring games often mean more scoring opportunities for kickers. Also, look at the point spread; teams that are favored by a larger margin are more likely to be in scoring positions.
- Team Offensive Consistency: Stick with kickers on teams that consistently move the ball and score points, even if their opponent is strong defensively.
How to Identify Good Streaming Options
- Review Weekly Projections: Look at fantasy kicker projections from reputable sources to identify kickers with high projected point totals.
- Scout Opposing Defenses: Identify defenses that allow a high number of made field goals or extra points.
- Monitor Injury Reports: Sometimes, injuries to a team’s starting kicker or even their offensive players can open up opportunities for a backup.
The Waiver Wire: Your Kicker Lifeline
The waiver wire is where you’ll find the gems if you didn’t draft them. Be ready to be proactive.
- Early Week Claims: Don’t wait until Sunday morning to grab a kicker. Target them early in the week when options are plentiful.
- Monitor Injuries and Suspensions: A starting kicker getting injured or suspended can open up a starting role for their backup, who might be available on waivers.
The Best Fantasy Football Kickers: A Look at Top Performers
When considering the best fantasy football kickers, we often look at a combination of historical performance and current team outlook.
- Justin Tucker (Baltimore Ravens): Consistently one of the most accurate kickers in the league, Tucker also plays on a potent offense that often finds itself in scoring position. His ability to make kicks from distance is a significant advantage.
- Harrison Butker (Kansas City Chiefs): Another kicker on an elite offense, Butker benefits from the Chiefs’ consistent scoring. Patrick Mahomes’ ability to drive the offense downfield ensures plenty of opportunities.
- Tyler Bass (Buffalo Bills): Bass is a strong kicker on a high-octane Bills offense. Josh Allen’s dual-threat ability and the Bills’ potent passing game mean plenty of scoring chances.
- Jake Elliott (Philadelphia Eagles): Elliott is a reliable kicker for a strong Eagles team. Their offense is consistently good, leading to numerous scoring opportunities.
These names often appear at the top of fantasy football kicker rankings due to their combination of talent, team offensive strength, and consistent opportunity.
Kicker Draft Strategy Fantasy Football: A Final Approach
Your kicker draft strategy fantasy football should be flexible but guided by core principles.
The Case for Drafting a Kicker Early (Rarely Recommended)
While generally not advised, there are fringe cases where drafting a kicker earlier might be considered:
- Superflex Leagues with Large Rosters: In leagues where you have very large rosters and multiple starting quarterbacks, the value of every starting position player might shift slightly.
- Deep Drafts with Limited Options: If your league is incredibly deep with many managers drafting kickers earlier than expected, you might be forced to adjust.
However, for the vast majority of standard fantasy leagues, sticking to the late-round approach is the optimal kicker draft strategy fantasy football.
The Zero-Kicker Strategy: A Viable Alternative
This strategy involves not drafting a kicker at all and relying on the waiver wire.
- Pros: Frees up draft capital for higher-upside skill position players. Allows for more flexibility in building your core team.
- Cons: Requires active management of the waiver wire. You might miss out on a top-tier kicker if your league is active.
The “Wait Until the Last Round” Strategy: The Conventional Wisdom
This is the most common and often most successful strategy.
- Pros: You secure a starting kicker without sacrificing valuable draft picks. You can focus your early and middle rounds on building a strong foundation at other positions.
- Cons: You might not get the absolute top-tier kicker.
FAQ Section
Q1: When is the best time to draft a kicker in fantasy football?
A1: The best time to draft a kicker is in the last one or two rounds of your fantasy draft. The point difference between the top kickers and those drafted later is usually not significant enough to warrant using earlier draft picks.
Q2: Should I prioritize a kicker with a high field goal percentage or one on a high-scoring team?
A2: Generally, you should prioritize a kicker on a high-scoring team who gets more opportunities. While accuracy is good, a kicker who attempts more field goals and extra points, even with a slightly lower percentage, will often outscore a more accurate kicker with fewer attempts.
Q3: Is it ever worth drafting a kicker in the first 10 rounds?
A3: For most standard fantasy football leagues, it is almost never worth drafting a kicker in the first 10 rounds. The value gained at other positions by using those picks is typically much higher.
Q4: How do I find good kicker sleepers?
A4: Look for kickers on teams with strong offenses that move the ball well but might struggle in the red zone. Also, consider kickers on teams with favorable early-season schedules or those on offenses expected to improve.
Q5: What is a kicker’s average fantasy point output per game?
A5: On average, a starting kicker in fantasy football will score between 7-10 points per game. This can fluctuate based on the team’s offense, opponent, and game script.
Q6: Are kickers predictable enough to draft in a keeper league?
A6: Kickers are generally not recommended as keeper selections due to their replaceable nature and the relatively low point ceiling compared to other positions. However, if you have a truly elite kicker on a consistently dominant offense, it might be a consideration in very deep keeper leagues.
By following these guidelines, you can approach the kicker position with confidence, ensuring you select a player who reliably contributes to your fantasy football team’s success. Remember, even the kicker spot can be a source of competitive advantage if approached strategically.