There's never been a good reason to draft a kicker... until now! Since the new PAT rules, Kickers have become an invaluable piece to championship fantasy football teams - they can either add 10-15pts, or lose you 5pts on the scoreboard - turning the tide of your matchups! Here's where the tricky part is - finding the consistent placekickers. You used to be able to lock-in a Dome Kicker for some free points, but now that's all changing... we're seeing kickers from a variety of backgrounds these days, and it doesn't hurt to do a little research before selecting your guy. So let's get kickin'! (Remember, these stats are from the first 17 Weeks of the Regular Season... Week 18 is not recorded in these numbers)
Justin Tucker Baltimore Ravens 16 GP | 32/37 FG | 51/52 PATs | 0.90 RelVal | 9.69 VpGP | 155 TP Tucker has been a "lock" for most Fantasy Managers for the last several years - and he's not going to taper off here. I don't need to give much background on him because most people know who he is - he tied the NFL's longest FG record a few seasons ago in Detroit, and he's 90.2% successful from the field (98.7% on PATs). Do you need much else convincing? He was 86.5% from the field last year, and he's going to see even more opportunities to kick as the Ravens bolster their lineup for a Super Bowl push. Tucker takes my top spot this year - like most years.
Younghoe Koo Atlanta Falcons 16 GP | 32/37 FG | 27/28 PATs | 0.77 RelVal | 8.25 VpGP | 132 TP The Career 89% FG Kicker has always been a bright spot on the Falcons - even if his first gig was short-lived with the Chargers. Koo has been a staple for Atlanta's Special Teams over the last five seasons, but his numbers have tapered off in the distance category - but no where else. With the Falcons revamping their offense this offseason, there's a big case for Koo's value to skyrocket. I won't put any of my eggs in this basket until the season starts - but I'm that way with all kickers... Especially with how quickly they're released after missing a kick or two. I get it - kickers are a competitive position that don't get called on enough - and there is a LOT of scrutiny with how important their job is. That's why if you do have Koo, don't let him go so easily. It's nice to get a guaranteed 6-10pts per game from your kicker... you won't appreciate that until it's gone, either.
Harrison Butker Kansas City Chiefs 16 GP | 33/35 FG | 38/38 PATs | 0.85 RelVal | 9.13 VpGP | 146 TP Harrison Butker is on one of the most exciting offenses in the league still - regardless if the Chiefs are scoring 3 or 5 touchdowns per game. Patrick Mahomes can move the ball downfield - and he's shown he's capable of doing it without a star-studded cast around him. That being said - if Butker remains the Place Kicker for Kansas City, it would be wise to pursue him. Butker played in all 17 games last year (16 in the AJFFL), and had his best career FG% yet (94.3%). He's a career 89.1% kicker, so there was a lot of improvement from last year's 75% rate... one of the big reasons was Butker went 12/12 from beyond 40yds this year, compared to 7/12 in 2022. He's averaging 44XP's per season, and an impressive 28/31 rate from the field... Definitely someone to keep an eye on as the season progresses. Harrison turns 29 in a few months, so he still has the edge on Father Time - and he should continue to be a respected add to fantasy lineups this fall.
Evan McPherson Cincinnati Bengals 16 GP | 26/31 FG | 40/40 PATs | 0.77 RelVal | 8.25 VpGP | 132 TP Cincinnati's third-year kicker went through the gauntlet this year - their offense was failing, their defense was not up to par - and he was put in some difficult kicking situations. That didn't stop him from exceeding expectations, but it wasn't anything to write home about... McPherson finished his season with a FG% of 84, going 26 for 31 (missing all-five from beyond 50yds). The good news - The Bengals are on a rebound year. With their starting QB struggling to get his season rolling, the Bengals struggled to compete during the 2023 Season. Jake Browning stepped in and held his own, but the Cincinnati Bengals fell short of their goal - a division championship. With a few new pieces and a few more moves on the way, the Bengals are poised as a legitimate threat to the AFC North title. McPherson regaining his form will help them achieve their dreams - but it starts with Joe Burrow.
Jake Elliot Philadelphia Eagles 16 GP | 30/32 FG | 45/46 PATs | 0.77 RelVal | 9.47 VpGP | 151.5 TP The Philadelphia Eagles will be hurting because they lost Jason Kelce from their front-five. They won't be hurting because they lost D'Andre Swift... they replaced him with a faster, more powerful running back (Saquon Barkley). With the amount of offense the Eagles have been out-putting the last few seasons, they should absolutely be in-line to be another top offense this fall. They have a handle on the NFC East, even with the Cowboys staring them down. Jake Elliot - who just turned 29 this past January - has been a lights-out kicker for the Eagles since joining their team in 2017. His career average of 86.2% from the field is one of the best in the league - and the most XP's he's missed in one season was three - back during his rookie campaign. He's a points machine - and he only gets distance try's with Jalen Hurts under center. Because of that; he's a safe pick for an impact kicker on your fantasy lineup.
Brandon Aubrey Dallas Cowboys 16 GP | 36/38 FG | 49/52 PATs | 0.99 RelVal | 10.56 VpGP | 169 TP This guy was deemed a league-winner last year. A rookie kicker, picked up by Dallas to address their roster needs - who ended up finishing the AJFFL Regular Season (and Post-Season) as K1. Brandon Aubrey didn't even play football - he was a professional soccer player at one point during his career. He decided to change course in 2023 after six years pursuing professional soccer - signing a one-year deal with the Birmingham Stallions following the 2022 USFL Draft. He would make a big enough impact that although he resigned with the Stallions for a second season, his sights were on the NFL - a jump he would make after one more year in the USFL. Aubrey stepped onto the scene and made magic happen with the Cowboys, knocking home 36 of 38 and nearly 50XP's in one season. He set records in the AJFFL, and he's poised to have the job once again in Dallas as their starting Place Kicker. Could he be the real-deal, the second coming of Justin Tucker? I wouldn't go that far - but this kid has quite the leg, and he's deadly accurate. He should be one of the top three kickers to go off the board if you're drafting a kicker early.
Tyler Bass Buffalo Bills 16 GP | 24/29 FG | 49/50 PATs | 0.75 RelVal | 8.03 VpGP | 128.5 TP Tyler Bass has seen his success rate dwindle over the years. His FGA, XPA, and makes have all shown a steady decline - even if it's only a kick or two per season. Last year held the least amount of kicks he attempted in his career - 79 attempts (29FG, 50 XP). Four years ago, he attempted 93 kicks (34FG, 59XP). The Bills are trying to rekindle their offense, and rightfully so - they found a barrier they couldn't get around in the postseason. But could Bass be part of the problem? He went 8/12 beyond 40yds last year, after converting 12/14 from the same distance the year before. He has the most to prove IMO - despite the new five-year deal that kicked in last season. We'll see if he has a rebound year, or if he has "contract hangover" symptoms again.
Cameron Dicker Los Angeles Chargers 16 GP | 31/33 FG | 35/35 PATs | 0.79 RelVal | 8.50 VpGP | 136 TP Two years ago - Cameron Dicker didn't have a home in the NFL. He was bouncing from team to team on PTO's - starting with Baltimore - then LAR - before getting booted from Philly and landing in LA again... but this time with the Chargers. In his two years with the Chargers, Dicker has posted an impressive statline: 50/53 on FGs, and a perfect 57/57 on PATs. His only three misses are from 50+ - once in 2022, and twice in 2023... although he went 7/9 from beyond 50yds this past season. Dicker is the definition of a dark-horse to win the K1 title this year. With the way Herbert throws the ball - Dicker should have plenty of opportunities to convert some points. A later pick amongst the kickers, but he should be going off the board at some point this fall.
Dustin Hopkins Cleveland Browns 15 GP | 33/36 FG | 24/26 PATs | 0.92 RelVal | 9.80 VpGP | 147 TP The other D-Hop in the NFL is a journeyman himself. The 33-year old Kicker has seen five teams - drafted by Buffalo in 2013 before spending two seasons with the Saints in New Orleans. From there, he signed with (and made his first NFL Appearance with) Washington from 2015-2021, then to the Chargers from 2021-2022, and last year with the Browns. He's a career 85.8% Kicker from the field, and is 36/38 on PATs over the last two seasons. The big mark on his record? 8/8 beyond 50yds last year. The Browns are also a team to keep an eye on - they've got quite a talented team in Cleveland. Amari Cooper is the WR everyone thought he always could be, while David Njoku is seeing more touches. Hopkins' first year in Cleveland was nothing short of a success, and he's expected to finish his contract out this upcoming fall. Whether he gets an extension or not will be up to the Front Office... they do have Cade York on the roster still - and a good kicker is hard to come by these days.
Matt Gay Indianapolis Colts 16 GP | 33/41 FG | 35/36 PATs | 0.89 RelVal | 9.22 VpGP | 147.5 TP The former LA Ram has found himself in Indianapolis - and he really tested his limits this year for the Colts. 33/41 in 2023, going 18/19 inside 39yds - but 15/22 beyond 40yds. His PATs are nice to see that he's consistent - but his misses from beyond are hurting the Colts (and could be hurting your fantasy chances). Too many "experts" have him highly ranked for me to doubt their knowledge - but he's one guy I will probably regret putting on this list. Expect Gay to be available in the final rounds of your draft - but don't be surprised about his output unless you are specifically looking for volume.
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