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Kacey Kasem takes a look at eight of the top kicker options you should be drafting in your 2024 Fantasy Football drafts to gain an edge over your competitors.
Some fantasy football managers prefer to wait on kickers until the late draft rounds. However, a reliable option at kicker can provide consistent points each week.
Instead of streaming kickers, invest in a proven one. It will boost your team's score. These kickers often play for high-scoring offenses. That gives them more chances to score field goals and extra points.
This article emphasizes a group of kickers who are set to make a meaningful impact this season. If you don't want to stream kickers or wait until the last minute to draft a guy, these are the players you'll be happy you drafted.
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Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
Brandon Aubrey of the Dallas Cowboys emerged as one of the best kickers last season. He converted 36 of 38 field goal attempts and led the NFL in made field goals. He converted all 10 of his 50-plus yard attempts, demonstrating his range and accuracy.
Is Brandon Aubrey somehow related to Justin Tucker?pic.twitter.com/MuGWTOhhRq
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) December 11, 2023
The kicker's record-setting season also saw him end the year with 157 points. He hit 35 field goals in a row until missing two kicks in Week 18. With a background in soccer at Notre Dame and Major League Soccer before switching to a USFL kicker, the Cowboys took a chance on him.
That gamble paid off. Given the Cowboys' offense and Aubrey's big games, he should be a top fantasy kicker this season. The 29-year-old's performance was crucial in the Cowboys' high-scoring offense last year. His great play should continue into 2024 under quarterback Dak Prescott.
Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have a kicker worth a pick in this year's fantasy drafts. Harrison Butker made every postseason field goal, hitting all 11 attempts.
A long time prior to the kick that sent #SuperBowlLVIII to OT, #chiefs Harrison Butker claimed a SB record from 57 yards - beating #49ers Jake Moody's 53-yarder that opened the scoring!pic.twitter.com/iANxLQnLYH
— Gridiron (@Gridiron) February 12, 2024
In 2022, Butker struggled with a 75% field goal rate. Yet, his performance turned around in 2023. Last season, he had the fourth-best success rate in the league at 94.3%. He hit all 12 attempts from 40 yards or more. The kicker made 33 of his 35 field goal attempts and went 38-for-38 on extra points. Butker scored 137 points in 17 games.
His accuracy and reliability earned him a four-year, $25.6 million contract extension. This makes him the highest-paid kicker by average salary. His postseason record, with 32 field goals on 35 attempts, shows his importance to the Chiefs.
Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles
One of the most reliable kickers in the NFL is found on the Philadelphia Eagles' roster. In 2023, Jake Elliott earned a career-best field goal success rate of 93.8%, placing him sixth in the league. The placekicker finished as the sixth-best kicker in fantasy football with 156 total points, averaging 9.2 points per game. He tallied double-digit fantasy points in eight games.
JAKE ELLIOTT KICK OF THE YEAR 🤯
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/eQNVFiZ9F1
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 27, 2023
Elliott is a reliable scorer. The Eagles' high touchdown rate and the "Tush Push" play limit his field goal chances. He made 30 of 32 field goals and a 61-yard field goal last year. His play earned him second-team All-Pro honors, making him a top-kicker option for the 2024 season.
Entering his eighth season with the Eagles, the Memphis alum has solid job security. He has only missed two games in his NFL career. Elliott recently signed a four-year, $24 million contract extension.
Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons
Another good option for fantasy football kickers in 2024 is Younghoe Koo of the Atlanta Falcons. Last year, the Falcons had the third-worst touchdown percentage in the red zone, limiting Koo's opportunities.
The Younghoe Koo helmet flip is still one of the best moments from this NFL season so far 😂pic.twitter.com/s7Qh4Av1ya
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) December 21, 2023
Still, he had 138 fantasy points and averaged 8.1 points per game. That ranked him 15th among kickers. Koo reached double-digit points in five games, including two 19-point games in Weeks 9 and 16. With Kirk Cousins now at quarterback, Koo should see more scoring chances this season.
The 30-year-old's accuracy was shown by his 32-of-37 field goals made last season. Additionally, he went 27-of-28 on extra-point attempts. Playing 12 games in indoor stadiums will help Koo's performance by decreasing weather-related issues. He should continue to be a top kicker in 2024.
Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
Justin Tucker is a top fantasy football kicker since he's on this list (obviously). Last season, Tucker was the second-highest-scoring kicker. He had 160 fantasy points, an average of 9.4 points per game. The most accurate kicker in league history went 31-for-32 on kicks under 49 yards in 2023. He made 51 of 52 extra points.
Swaggiest Kicker 😉
2008 All-American Justin Tucker (@jtuck9) drills a 50-yard field goal. #RavensFlock#AllAmericanBowl 🇺🇸
— All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) September 24, 2023
Tucker's career field goal percentage of 90.2% is an NFL record. He has connected on 395 out of 438 field goal attempts. The 34-year-old also owns the record for the longest successful field goal in NFL history, at 66 yards.
The Ravens' kicker has scored 30 or more field goals in each of the last two seasons. Given his history, he is presumed to be the first kicker drafted in most leagues. If you're looking for an advantage, Tucker is a must-have for fantasy rosters this season.
Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals
Another kicker to eye in drafts is Evan McPherson of the Cincinnati Bengals. McPherson finished as K14 last season. He scored 140 fantasy points, averaging 8.2 points per game. His reliability was evident as he went 40-for-40 on extra points and made all his kicks from inside 50 yards.
Cincinnati completes the comeback 🐅#Bengals K Evan McPherson knocks in the game-winning field goal in OT! pic.twitter.com/L87hhnYoUw
— Kicker Update (@kickerupdate) December 16, 2023
The Florida product had six games with double-digit fantasy points. He ranked among the top 12 kickers nine times. Additionally, he hit seven of his 12 attempts from beyond 50 yards.
A healthy Joe Burrow will return to lead the offense. McPherson will get chances to score. Owner and president Mike Brown says the kicker's strong play has led to talks of a contract extension with the team. With one year left on his rookie contract, the star kicker will again support the Bengals' high-powered offense.
Cairo Santos, Chicago Bears
Cairo Santos of the Chicago Bears is primed for a great 2024 season. The team's improved offense should help him. The Bears are stacked with talent. D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet are joined by Caleb Williams, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, D'Andre Swift, and Gerald Everett. If rookie Williams struggles in the red zone, Santos will have many scoring chances. That makes the kicker a good fantasy asset.
Cairo Santos FTW pic.twitter.com/i18lRQwKZW
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 28, 2023
In 2023, Santos had his best season. He tied for second among kickers in fantasy points and made 93% of his field goals. He missed only three out of 38 field-goal attempts and was 31-of-33 on extra points.
With three years left on his contract, Santos is the only kicker on the roster. He offers job security and dependability. His strong play last season shows Santos should be a top kicker this year.
Ka'imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans
Ka'imi Fairbairn of the Houston Texans seeks a bounce-back season. He was K26 in fantasy scoring last year. He missed five games with injury last season, causing his fantasy numbers to decline.
KA’IMI WITH THE GAME-WINNING FIELD GOAL! pic.twitter.com/1WtlnYQEWc
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 17, 2023
The Texans' high-powered offense looks good for Fairbairn's scoring potential. He proved his ability by posting double-digit fantasy points in five of his 12 games last season. He also made 96.4% of his field goal attempts, including five from over 50 yards.
The Texans have secured Fairbairn with a three-year, $15.9 million contract, securing his job. The undrafted kicker's career extra-point conversion rate of 92.4% adds to his reliability as a fantasy option. With a bye week in Week 14, managers can rely on Fairbairn for most of the season without needing a fill-in. Just be prepared when Week 14 does rear its head.
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