One of the most overlooked positions on your team - but they end up being one of the most critical players in your lineup from week to week. Why we don’t prioritize them more is because of their limited ways to score points… and now this year, expanded ways to lose you points. This is our 2023 Kickers Preview - who you should look to target, and when you’d expect them to be available in your Fantasy Draft.
1. Daniel Carlson - Las Vegas Raiders
Carlson once again bested the league in the Fantasy Regular Season with 136 points in 16 games. His 9.56 Value was second to only Brett Maher’s 10.13 Value throughout the year. Still - Carlson has been knocking them thru for the last two years at an impressive rate (All-Time Pts Scored Leader in the AJFFL for Kickers) and is carrying a 9.91 Value into the new season. At 28 years young and in the middle of a 4-year agreement - Carlson will still be reliable if his numbers stay true (34/37 in ‘22). The pieces around him have changed, so we’ll see if it impacts his production at the beginning of the season.
2. Justin Tucker - Baltimore Ravens
The longest FG in NFL history was tied by Mr. Tucker not too long ago, and he’s still outpacing most of the field for points scored over the last few seasons. His performance has remained consistent (37/43 for 86% FGs in 2022) - but with Lamar potentially on the move, his numbers could fluctuate a bit. Regardless, he’s proven he’s a reliable leg to have on your squad. Once the kickers start going, he will be gone shortly after that in your draft.
3. Tyler Bass - Buffalo Bills
Tyler Bass has been playing on one of the most explosive offenses for the last few seasons, and his numbers are showing that he can convert. Knocking 87.1% thru last season (27 FG, 31 Attempts), he’s getting plenty of opportunities. Only 3 of those came beyond 50 yards - and he converted 2 of those. Bass will be another name quick to fall off the board for the Kickers category.
4. Eddy Pineiro - Carolina Panthers
Pineiro is finally getting a full-time look as a placekicker in the NFL - and he’s signed a two year deal with Carolina after a successful wrapup to his 2022 campaign. Eddy Pineiro went 33/35 for an impressive 94.3% FG% last season. With the new-look Panthers, there may be more offensive production which would lead to more scoring opportunities for Pinerio. Still - they need to prove they can move the ball. Pineiro is on this list because he had a LOT of opportunities last year, and his track record shows he will make you pay if he’s given those chances.
5. Jason Myers - Seattle Seahawks
Jason Meyers was about as big of a surprise as a leading scorer for the Kickers category as Geno Smith was leading the MVP race for several weeks last year. But the proof is in the pudding - Myers held his own once again with 34/37 FG’s in 2022 for a 91.9% conversion rate. He just John Hancock’d another 4-year agreement to stay in Seattle, and with their current offense… my way-too-early prediction is that he could make the argument as the Top K in 2023.
6. Nick Folk - New England Patriots
Journeyman Folk is finding a role with the Patriots after another sold season in New England. The Post-Brady Pats struggled on offense, but Folk was consistent as usual. His 32/37 in 2022 left him with a respectable 86.5% conversion. Still - it’s nothing to write home about. The 38 year old is still holding his own as a kicker, but his age may be concerning for some. Bill Bellichek has shown that age is just a number to him - so we’ll see if the Pat’s put their support elsewhere… They drafted Quinn Nordin a few years ago, so don’t be surprised if they bring in another leg for competition heading into training camp.
7. Younghoe Koo - Atlanta Falcons
Younghoe Koo is a youngster with a cannon of a leg. The guy can kick the ball a country mile it seems. But his offense hasn’t been helping him get into scoring position. Last year, Koo was able to hit 32 of 37 FG attempts for an 86.5% conversion, but he was at the mercy of a very predictable Falcons offense. As of right now, The Falcons have added Taylor Heinike and LV wideout Mack Hollins to their squad. It should open up the running game a bit more for Tyler Allgeier and Corderrelle Patterson, but until they are back in sync - this Falcons team is too hit-or-miss to trust in fantasy.
8. Graham Gano - New York Giants
Graham Gano was another solid kicker this year - and it came as quite a surprise. The Giants have struggled offensively for the last few seasons, but somehow they were able to put together a great offensive season. Saquon Barkley was one of the hot hands all season, and Daniel Jones showed up as QB12 in this year’s fantasy Rankings. It helped Gano generate a reliable year, posting 29 of 32 FG’s for a 90.6% conversion rate. Now with Jamison Crowder, Parris Campbell and Darius Slayton in their WR room, the Giants look to keep that well-oiled machine running for another run.
9. Brett Maher - Dallas Cowboys (UFA)
Brett Maher was a name most people didn’t recognize before the season started - but they definitely knew who he was by the end of it. Maher helped bail out the Cowboys on several occasions this season, knocking 29 of 32 FG’s through for a 90.6% conversion rate - but he has yet to find himself a consistent home. Maher started his career with the Jets in 2013, but it was short-lived. He was waived three months later and signed with Dallas - just to be waived again. He didn't return to the NFL until 2017 where his team-carousel began. From Cleveland to Dallas, back to the Jets… to Washington and then Houston. From the swamp to Arizona before getting waived. He then signed with New Orleans before getting demoted to the Practice Squad - before signing with Dallas (again) at the beginning of the year. He was then demoted to the practice squad before getting the full-time bump in September of this season. Basically what I’m saying is… he’s shown he can do it, but he’s not consistent enough to be a “lock him in” type of guy. Currently as a UFA, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get a look from a team in need before the season starts. Still… he’s 33, struggled with consistency, and is currently with his longest tenured team (Dallas for consecutive 7 months). He’s missed short chip shots, long balls, and even a handful of PAT’s. Could he be the guy that Dallas needs? With the Home-Dome approach, absolutely. But anywhere in the elements, you may want to look elsewhere.
10. Cameron Dicker - Los Angeles Chargers
“Our kicker’s name is Dicker!? This can’t be real.” It’s real, Joey Bosa. And he’s GOOD! Cameron Dicker probably wasn’t even on your radar last season - and most likely wasn’t in the fold coming out of last season either. Dicker put together a fantastic season filling in for Los Angeles Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins - although he didn’t get a good look until after the Chargers Bye week in Week 7. Including his Week 5 appearance, Dicker went 21/22 for FG’s and only missed one PAT all season long - landing him at a 95.4% conversion rate. For the #10 Kicker in the league, that’s quite impressive. The biggest drawback on him was his sample size. Give him a full season, and he’s probably going to be looking to crack the Top-5 Kickers this year. Before you commit to him though - let’s see where Hopkins goes before you put all your eggs in this basket.
Honorable Mentions:Chase McLaughlin, Greg Joseph, Ryan Succop, Riley Patterson, Robbie Gould, Jake Moody, Matt Gay
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