Week 18 Kicker Streamers and Starts - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

December 31, 2024

Kacey Kasem views all 2024 fantasy football Week 18 kickers -- streamers, starts, sits, targets, avoids, and waiver wire pickups. Our Week 18 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL kickers.

Although many of us wrapped up our fantasy football season in Week 17, some leagues are still trucking through Week 18. If you've gotten this far rolling out the same kicker every week, you'll probably stick with him for your league's finale.

But what if you have been streaming kickers this season? Many managers prefer playing fantasy football this way, and those in the finals will want the best kicker they can stream. Jason Sanders is rostered in 60.7% of Sleeper leagues, so spoiler alert: he doesn't make it into the streaming category. If Sanders is available in your league, pick him up now, as he's my No. 1 kicker this week.

Who else should you be looking to target this week, and which kickers are best left on benches? I provide you with my kicker rankings, streamers, and sits for the season's final week, helping you hoist that championship trophy. Good luck!

Week 18 Kicker Rankings for Fantasy Football

Kicker Streamers to Target for Week 18

Only players rostered in fewer than 60% of fantasy football leagues are considered streamers.

Riley Patterson (ATL) vs. Carolina Panthers
2.2% Rostered on Sleeper

If you're seeking a replacement kicker with a great matchup this week, Riley Patterson of the Falcons is your man. Patterson has filled in for Younghoe Koo, who was placed on injured reserve after he hurt his right hip.

Patterson's first outing with Atlanta led to 11.0 fantasy points. He converted 2-of-3 field goals and hit all four extra points in the game against the Giants in Week 16. In Week 17, the 25-year-old made one of his two field goals and all three extra points when facing Washington. In that duel, Patterson tallied 5.0 fantasy points, a drop from the week before.

Riley Patterson acerta de 39 jardas e aumenta a vantagem.

📺: #ATLvsWAS ao vivo na @espnbrasil | #NFLnaESPN

🎟 NFL IN BRASA 2025: https://t.co/ekM6kvdmbi#NFLBrasil pic.twitter.com/4XifTjaHu5

— NFL Brasil (@NFLBrasil) December 30, 2024

Although the Memphis alum had a down week in Week 17, it was not entirely all on him. The 56-yard field goal he missed could have been shorter if head coach Raheem Morris had called a timeout. The team could have won the game right then instead of being forced to take it to overtime.

Looking forward to this week, the Falcons clash with the Panthers. Carolina is currently allowing the most fantasy points per showdown to opposing kickers. For Week 17, I put Chase McLaughlin in this section as a kicker to start as he was taking on Carolina. McLaughlin was perfect in his outing, making both his field goals and all six extra points.

This game will provide plenty of scoring chances for the kicker, as Carolina has given up the most extra points in the league (49) and is tied for the second-most field goals allowed (35). With all these factors working for Patterson, he should deliver solid numbers in Week 18.

Brandon McManus (GB) vs. Chicago Bears
21.7% Rostered on Sleeper

You might be on the fence about starting Brandon McManus this week, as he put up just 5.0 fantasy points in Week 17 when competing against the Vikings. In the two-point loss, McManus didn't miss, making his only field goal and knocking through both extra points. His field goal was from 22 yards out, and he was not given the option to kick from farther.

McManus has logged double-digit fantasy points in four of his last six performances. For the season, the Temple product has booted through 17-of-18 field goals and all 29 extra-point attempts.

Brandon McManus good from 61 in warmups. He missed from 62 and 60. Had enough leg for 62, though. pic.twitter.com/whCcbRvenG

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) December 29, 2024

This week, the Packers take on the Bears, a squad conceding the fifth-most fantasy points per match to opposing kickers. Over the last month, the Bears have permitted the most field goals from 30-39 yards, which bodes well for the accurate kicker.

McManus had a below-average game in his last showdown with Chicago in Week 11. He accumulated 2.0 fantasy points in that contest, attempting zero field goals and making both extra-point tries. It was a low-scoring contest, where the Packers defeated the Bears by one point, 20-19.

Although McManus didn't post big numbers the last time he faced this team, he has a shot of taking advantage of a floundering Chicago team. The Bears have not won a game since October 13, when they bested the Jaguars. This game should be one where the 33-year-old's leg sees plenty of action as Green Bay looks to ride the wave of a win into the playoffs.

Cam Little (JAC) at Indianapolis Colts
1.1% Rostered on Sleeper

If you're searching for a kicker who is rarely rostered but can give you the edge you need to win your fantasy championships, Cam Little brings a lot to the table. Week 17's win over the Titans saw the kicker convert 2-of-2 field goals and both of his extra points. Little collected 10.0 fantasy points in that matchup.

On the season, the rookie has knocked in 92.3% of his field goals and has not missed an extra point. The longest FG of his 2024 campaign is from 59 yards.

Below is the original draft card for Cam Little, @Jaguars kicker. A rookie, Little is 23 of 23 on XP's and 22 of 24 on FG's with a long of 59 this season. The draft card is at the @ProFootballHOF. #DUUUVAL #NFL pic.twitter.com/AwpzU51QNP

— Pro Football Hall of Fame Ambassador (@PFHOFAmbassador) December 29, 2024

Now he heads to face the Colts in Week 18. Indianapolis has conceded the 10th-most fantasy points per outing to the kicker position. Additionally, they have allowed the seventh-most extra points this season. Although Indianapolis has been middle-of-the-pack versus kickers this year, Little has already proven he can put up big numbers against them.

In Week 5, Little totaled 14.0 fantasy points when taking on the Colts. He converted on all three field goals and went 4-for-4 on extra points in that game.

Jacksonville's offense has been sputtering this season, but they did score 37 points the last time they battled Indianapolis. Yes, Mac Jones is now under center for the Jags. The backup quarterback has been efficient enough to make parts of the offense fantasy relevant, and Little has been one player who has benefitted. The Arkansas product should be on your radar if you need a consistent kicker.

Kickers to Avoid for Week 18

Dustin Hopkins (CLE) at Baltimore Ravens
2.3% Rostered on Sleeper

It's been a rocky ride for Dustin Hopkins this year. He's been a suggested sit numerous times, even in situations that look ideal for kickers. This week is another where you should not trust the 2013 draft pick, and it's even more necessary to sit him with the championships on the line.

The veteran kicker has seen his field goal percentage take a hit, making just 65.4% of his FGs this season. He has also connected on just 84.2% of his extra-point attempts. The Browns offense has been in shambles, giving the kicker limited chances to score.

In Week 17, Hopkins recorded just one field goal attempt, connecting on a 36-yarder. Cleveland was beaten down in this matchup, scoring just one field goal in four quarters. The Browns have not registered more than seven points in each of the last three matches.

Now, the Browns head to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to battle the Ravens. Over the last four weeks, Baltimore has surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points per contest to opposing kickers. In Week 17's competition, Ka'imi Fairbairn saw no work. If you relied on Fairbairn in the playoffs, you know how heartbreaking it was for him to put up a goose egg.

Baltimore permits an average of 7.19 fantasy points per game to kickers, so Hopkins is best left on the bench. It would be too easy for him to post zero points this week. Far too many options with better situations are obtainable on waivers.

Cairo Santos (CHI) at Green Bay Packers
5.4% Rostered on Sleeper

Cairo Santos is another kicker you should think twice about starting in Week 18. The Bears have lost 10 games in a row, and Santos has not seen a healthy amount of work. Fantasy managers will want to pivot to another option for their fantasy championship match.

When facing the Seahawks in Week 17, Santos gained 4.0 fantasy points by making his only field goal. The Bears lost the contest 6-3, with the Tulane product providing the team's only points. His lack of involvement has affected his fantasy numbers this season. The kicker currently averages 6.0 points per game and is K25.

Santos has converted 20-of-24 field goals and 22-of-23 extra points this year. He failed to make four field goals from 40+ yards out, so his accuracy with long-distance kicks has been lacking.

His opponent this week is Green Bay, a team tied for the fourth-fewest fantasy points per contest conceded to opposing kickers. Santos has already matched up with the Packers back in Week 11. The kicker hit two field goals in the competition, with his longest from 53 yards. He also had the game-winning field goal blocked.

His lack of volume should concern fantasy managers who have made it this far. Sitting Santos in the championship and moving to a kicker with more of a workload would be in your best interest. His low floor is a future headache for those who choose to start him.

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