What is the best way to pick kickers in fantasy football? To pick the best fantasy kickers, focus on players on good offenses, with teams that move the ball well and score a lot of points. Look for kickers who get a lot of opportunities for field goals and extra points.
Picking a kicker in fantasy football might seem like an afterthought, but a good kicker can be the difference between a win and a loss. Many managers wait until the last round to select one, treating it like a coin flip. However, with the right approach, you can find reliable point-scorers and gain a significant edge. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about selecting kickers to dominate your league.
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Why Kickers Matter in Fantasy Football
In many fantasy leagues, kickers are a crucial position. They are often overlooked, but their consistent scoring can be a valuable asset. While their point totals might not match those of star wide receivers or running backs, a top-tier kicker can outscore many bench players and even some starters. They offer a predictable source of points, especially in leagues that reward extra points and longer field goals.
The Unsung Heroes of Your Roster
Think of your kicker as a consistent point generator. Unlike players who can have boom or bust weeks due to matchups or injuries, kickers on solid offenses tend to provide a steady stream of points. This reliability can be a lifeline in close fantasy matchups. They are especially valuable when you need to secure a win in the playoffs.
Key Factors for Finding Reliable Kickers
When you’re evaluating kickers, several factors come into play. These elements help you identify players who are likely to consistently score well throughout the season. It’s about more than just the player’s name; it’s about the situation they are in.
Offense Strength and Scoring Potential
The most critical factor is the offense the kicker plays for. A kicker on a high-powered offense that consistently moves the ball downfield and scores touchdowns is going to have more opportunities for extra points and field goals. Teams that struggle to finish drives in the end zone often rely on their kickers for points.
- Touchdowns: More touchdowns mean more extra points.
- Red Zone Efficiency: Teams that get into the red zone but don’t always score touchdowns provide field goal opportunities.
- Overall Offensive Production: A strong offense generally translates to more scoring chances for the kicker.
Field Goal Opportunities
Some offenses are more prone to kicking field goals than others. Teams that are good at moving the ball but might stall out in the red zone often present the best kicking opportunities. Look at teams that have a good offense but a history of settling for field goals.
Home Field Advantage
While not always a deciding factor, some kickers perform slightly better at home. Factors like weather can play a role, especially in colder climates or windy conditions. However, this is a minor consideration compared to the overall offensive environment.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Stadiums
Kickings are generally more consistent in indoor stadiums, where weather is not a factor. Stadiums with controlled environments can lead to fewer missed kicks due to wind or precipitation.
Kicker’s Accuracy and Leg Strength
While harder to track consistently week-to-week for the average fantasy manager, a kicker’s historical accuracy is important. A highly accurate kicker is more likely to convert from longer distances, which can be a significant advantage. Leg strength also matters for those longer field goals.
Team Pace and Play Volume
Teams that play at a fast pace and run a lot of plays tend to generate more scoring opportunities for their kickers. A high number of offensive plays can mean more chances for both extra points and field goals.
Analyzing Kicker Performance Metrics
To truly identify the best fantasy kickers, you need to delve into the data. Certain statistics paint a clearer picture of a kicker’s potential than others. Focusing on these metrics will help you make more informed decisions.
Historical Scoring Trends
Look at how kickers have performed in previous seasons and even in recent weeks. Consistency is key. A kicker who has a history of high scoring and few off weeks is a valuable asset.
Field Goal Attempts (FGA)
This is a primary indicator of opportunity. Kickers who attempt more field goals have more chances to score. However, volume alone isn’t enough; the context of those attempts matters.
Made Field Goals (FGM)
Naturally, more made field goals mean more points. This is a direct measure of success.
Field Goal Percentage (FG%)
A kicker’s accuracy is vital, especially for longer attempts. A kicker with a high FG% is more reliable.
Extra Point Attempts (XPA) and Makes (XPM)
In most leagues, extra points are worth one point. Teams that score a lot of touchdowns will provide more of these opportunities.
Longest Field Goal Made
This indicates leg strength and the kicker’s ability to convert from difficult distances. These longer kicks often come with bonus points in many scoring systems.
Kicker Draft Strategy: When and How to Pick
Your approach to drafting kickers can significantly impact your overall team. There’s a time and place for every position, and kickers are no exception.
The Late-Round Approach
The most common and often the most effective strategy for kickers is to draft them in the final rounds of your draft. Most fantasy leagues have 14-16 rounds, and the last 1-2 rounds are typically when kickers are selected.
Why wait?
- High Value in Early Rounds: Early rounds are for players who will have a significant impact on your roster – quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and elite tight ends.
- Kicker Scoring Predictability: While there’s variance, the top kickers don’t usually offer a massive point differential over the 5th-10th best kicker. The difference in points between the top QB and the 10th QB can be huge, but the gap between the top kicker and a solid, but not elite, kicker is much smaller.
- Flexibility: Drafting a kicker too early might mean missing out on a high-upside player at another position.
Draft Tiers of Kickers
It’s helpful to think of kickers in tiers.
- Tier 1: Elite kickers on offenses expected to score a lot, with consistent field goal opportunities.
- Tier 2: Solid kickers on good offenses who are reliable but might not have the absolute highest upside.
- Tier 3: Kickers on decent offenses or those who are sleepers but carry some risk.
Targeting Kickers with High Offensive Support
Your kicker draft strategy should always prioritize the team they play for. A kicker on an offense that ranks in the top 5 for points scored and yards gained per game is a prime target.
Key indicators to look for:
- Top 10 Offenses in Yards Per Game.
- Top 10 Offenses in Points Per Game.
- Teams with a high number of Red Zone trips per game.
- Teams with a good balance of passing and rushing, indicating consistent drive completion.
Identifying Fantasy Football Kicker Sleepers
Sometimes, the best value can be found by targeting players who are not widely recognized but have the potential to perform well. These are your fantasy football kicker sleepers.
How to find sleepers:
- New Kicker on a Good Offense: Sometimes, a team will bring in a new kicker who has a strong leg or is more accurate than their predecessor. If that team is a high-octane offense, the new kicker could be a goldmine.
- Kicker on an Improving Offense: Keep an eye on teams that are showing signs of life offensively. A young quarterback developing or a new offensive coordinator can revitalize an offense, boosting the kicker’s production.
- Kickers in Indoor Venues: As mentioned earlier, indoor kickers can have a slight edge.
Waiver Wire Wizardry: Finding Kickers Mid-Season
Your draft is just the beginning. The waiver wire is often where you can find your most valuable kickers as the season progresses.
Monitoring Weekly Performance
Pay attention to kickers who are consistently scoring well, especially those who are available on the waiver wire. A kicker who has a few strong weeks in a row on a good offense is worth picking up.
Target Kickers with Favorable Matchups
Even a good kicker can have a bad week against a dominant defense. Conversely, a mediocre kicker can have a great week against a weak defense. Look for kickers whose teams are playing against defenses that struggle against field goals or allow teams to move the ball effectively.
Kickers on Bye Weeks
Remember that kickers also have bye weeks. You’ll need to plan ahead if your starting kicker is on a bye. This is another opportunity to find a solid fill-in on the waiver wire.
Kicker Availability
Always check kicker availability before making your waiver claims. If the top kickers are already rostered, you might need to dig a little deeper. This is where understanding kicker performance metrics becomes even more important.
Leveraging Kicker Scoring Projections
Most fantasy sports platforms provide kicker scoring projections. While these are not guarantees, they can be a helpful tool in your decision-making process.
How to Use Projections
- Compare Projections: Look at multiple sources for projections to get a consensus.
- Factor in Matchups: Projections often account for general team strength, but they might not always fully capture a specific week’s matchup advantage or disadvantage.
- Identify Outliers: If a kicker is consistently projected much higher or lower than their peers, investigate why.
What to Look for in Projections
- Projected Field Goals Made.
- Projected Extra Points Made.
- Projected Longest Field Goal.
These numbers can help you compare the potential output of different kickers, especially when trying to decide between two similar options.
Advanced Kicker Tips for Maximum Advantage
Want to truly optimize your kicker selection? Consider these advanced strategies.
Tracking Kicker Availability Across Leagues
If you play in multiple leagues, keep an eye on kicker availability. Sometimes, a kicker who is widely owned in one league might be surprisingly available in another. This can be due to different draft strategies or waiver wire activity.
Understanding Fantasy Football Kicker Values
Kicker values fluctuate throughout the season. A kicker who was a late-round pick might become a must-start option if their offense heats up. Conversely, a once-highly-touted kicker can fall off a cliff if their offense sputters.
- Trade Opportunities: Don’t be afraid to trade kickers. If you have a top-tier kicker and a roster need elsewhere, you might be able to package your kicker with another player for an upgrade.
- Streaming Kickers: For managers in leagues where kicker scoring is highly volatile or for those who want to maximize potential, “streaming” kickers is an option. This involves picking up a different kicker each week based on matchups. However, this requires diligent research and can be risky if you pick the wrong one.
Kicker Performance Metrics vs. ADP (Average Draft Position)
Compare a kicker’s typical performance metrics against their average draft position (ADP). If a kicker is consistently performing well but being drafted late, they represent excellent value. This is where you find your sleepers and can gain an edge over your opponents.
Common Kicker Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a solid strategy, it’s easy to fall into common traps when drafting or selecting kickers.
Drafting a Kicker Too Early
This is the most frequent mistake. Using a 5th-round pick on a kicker when there are still strong offensive players available is a recipe for disaster.
Ignoring the Offense
Picking a kicker simply because they have a cool name or are a familiar player without considering the strength of their offense is a common oversight.
Not Having a Plan for Bye Weeks
Forgetting about bye weeks can lead to starting a kicker with zero points. Always have a backup plan or be ready to pick someone up from the waiver wire.
Over-reliance on Projections
Projections are tools, not gospel. Unexpected events happen in football, so don’t blindly follow projections without considering the context.
FAQ: Your Kicker Questions Answered
Q1: When should I draft a kicker in a standard fantasy football draft?
A: You should draft a kicker in the last 1-2 rounds of your draft, typically rounds 14-16 in a 16-round league.
Q2: What makes a kicker a “good” fantasy football kicker?
A: A good fantasy football kicker plays for a strong offense that scores frequently, gets plenty of red zone opportunities, and provides consistent field goal attempts. Accuracy and leg strength are also important.
Q3: Can I stream kickers instead of drafting one early?
A: Yes, streaming kickers is a viable strategy, especially if you want to avoid drafting a kicker and instead use those early picks for offensive players. This involves picking a different kicker each week based on favorable matchups.
Q4: What are the most important kicker performance metrics to look at?
A: Key metrics include field goal attempts (FGA), made field goals (FGM), field goal percentage (FG%), and extra point attempts (XPA). Also, consider the kicker’s longest field goal made.
Q5: How do I find fantasy football kicker sleepers?
A: Look for kickers on improving offenses, new kickers on high-scoring teams, or kickers who consistently outperform their expectations based on their team’s performance.
Q6: What is the biggest mistake fantasy managers make with kickers?
A: The biggest mistake is drafting a kicker too early in the draft, missing out on potentially more valuable players at other positions.
By focusing on these strategies and metrics, you can move beyond the guesswork and make informed decisions that will boost your fantasy football team’s scoring. Remember, in fantasy football, every point counts, and a well-chosen kicker can be your secret weapon to dominating your league.