RADIO
Brandon Aubrey An Elite Fantasy Football Kicker Option For Week 1
Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey is one of the best kickers in the NFL playing on one of the best offenses in the NFL. He was a top-3 ranked kicker in each of his three seasons in the NFL so far, and unless he severely drops off this season, he should remain as one of the best starting options at his position. He did miss a kick in the preseason, but his accuracy remains excellent in the regular season, as he boasts an 88 percent career field goal percentage. He's also made 35 field goals from 50 or more yards out, averaging over 58 fantasy points per season on those field goals alone. The kicker position isn't exactly high-scoring when compared to QB, RB, or WR, but Aubrey deserves a start in all leagues nonetheless. The Cowboys will take on the New York Giants in Week 1. Last season, when the Cowboys debuted against the Giants, Aubrey racked up 23 PPR fantasy points. The fourth-year pro is RotoBaller's No. 1 overall kicker in its half-PPR fantasy football rankings. He's set for a big day against a defense that Dallas has ran the score up on numerous times in recent years.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cam Little Among Top Fantasy Kickers Entering Week 1
Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little has a chance to pick up where he left off last season in a Week 1 matchup with the Cleveland Browns. Little finished as a top-five kicker last year and can easily do so again this season given the potential of the Jacksonville offense. While the Browns do have a solid defense even after losing Myles Garrett, the Jaguars should still have no problem scoring points and, at the very least, getting into field-goal range plenty of times. Little showed last season that field-goal range is a longer range than most after setting the record for the longest kick in NFL history. The combination of elite leg strength and a high-powered offense should make Little an elite fantasy kicker all season. He should start strong in Week 1 against the Browns.
Source: Cam Little RotoBaller
Source: Cam Little RotoBaller
Tyler Bass Returns as a Low-End Week 1 Streamer
Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass will make his first regular-season appearance since 2024 when Buffalo visits Houston on Sunday. Bass missed all of 2025 because of a sports hernia injury but enters the opener healthy. In his last full season, he converted 24 of 29 field-goal attempts. The matchup lowers his Week 1 appeal, as Houston allowed just 17.4 points per game in 2025, second-fewest in the NFL. RotoBaller ranks Bass K20 for the opening week. Josh Allen gives Buffalo enough offensive upside to keep Bass relevant, but fantasy managers in standard 10- and 12-team leagues can find stronger streaming options for his return.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Bates a Must-Start Kicker in Week 1
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates put together a top-eight fantasy season in 2025, converting 27 out of his 34 field goal attempts and leading the NFL in both extra-point attempts (56) and makes (54). In their 2026 season opener, the Lions are set to host the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans was a mid-pack defense in terms of scoring in 2025, ranking 14th in the NFL in points allowed per game (22.5). However, the Lions enter the year nearly fully healthy on offense. On paper, Detroit could field one of the most dangerous scoring attacks in the league. Bates also won't have to deal with any weather conditions on Sunday while kicking inside the domed Ford Field. All in all, Bates profiles as a must-start kicker option in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Spencer Shrader is an Overlooked Start in Week 1
Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader won the preseason kicking competition against Blake Grupe and will face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. During the preseason, Shrader went five-for-five in field goals, including two from at least 60 yards, which makes him incredibly valuable for fantasy managers. Shrader had his 2025 season cut short with an ACL and MCL tear in Week 5 and was replaced by Grupe for the rest of the season, but he was 13-for-14 in field goals and 14-for-14 in extra points before going down. Because of this injury, many managers drafting in 2026 may have forgotten how dominant he was in early 2025, averaging 13 points per game in the first four weeks. Lastly, this week's game against the Ravens has one of the week's highest over/under totals at 47.5, which should translate to plenty of kicking opportunities for Shrader. More importantly, the match is at home in the controlled environment of Lucas Oil Stadium, which gives Shrader a slight edge over kickers playing outdoors. Shrader appears fully recovered and is a viable starter for the Colts and for managers in 12-person or larger leagues with kickers.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Drew Stevens Set to Make NFL Debut Against Eagles in Week 1
Washington Commanders rookie kicker Drew Stevens is set to make his NFL debut on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles for the season opener. Stevens, an undrafted free agent out of Iowa, beat out former 2023 third-round pick Jake Moody for Washington's kicking duties. Stevens went 4-for-5 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points in the preseason. Stevens was also remarkably consistent throughout training camp, making 43 of 48 field goal attempts. Attached to Jayden Daniels and Washington's offense, there could be some scoring opportunities for Stevens, putting him in streamer range for kickers in very deep leagues for Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cairo Santos in Favorable Week 1 Spot
Chicago Bears veteran placekicker Cairo Santos presents as a strong fantasy asset when his team squares off with the Carolina Panthers on the road in Week 1. The 34-year-old was solid for Chicago in 2025, connecting on 25-of-30 field goal attempts and all 39 of his extra-point attempts. While Santos was nothing more than a middle-of-the-road option last year, he should be afforded plenty of opportunities to be impactful in this campaign. In addition to being tethered to an explosive, exciting offense, the playmakers throughout the defense led the league in takeaways with 33 a season ago. All in all, the veteran is primed to be a useful alternative in fantasy lineups for the duration of the season and can be trusted as a sound start to kick off the 2026 campaign. He's RotoBaller's K9 leading up to the team's first outing.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ka'imi Fairbairn Is a Top-10 Kicker in Week 1
Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn was one of the best fantasy kickers in the NFL last season, taking advantage of his team's red-zone struggles to kick plenty of field goals. He made 44 of his 48 field-goal attempts over 15 games and went a perfect 28-for-28 on extra points. He was excellent from long range as well, going 9-for-13 from over 50 yards. This offseason, Houston locked up the 32-year-old from Hawaii with a two-year, $13 million extension. While the offense hopes to be more efficient in the red zone this season, especially after adding David Montgomery, Fairbairn remains a very strong option at the position. In Week 1's home matchup against the Bills, Fairbairn is the No. 10 kicker in RotoBaller's rankings, and he's a solid, reliable start in almost all formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Elliott Remains Starting Kicker for Eagles in 2026, Looking to Bounce Back in Week 1
Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott enters his 10th season in the NFL (all with the Eagles) in 2026. He will once again handle placekicking duties as the Eagles' starting kicker. Elliott has a Week 1 matchup with the Washington Commanders. According to The Football Database, the Commanders allowed 145 points to kickers in standard leagues in 2025, which ranked just 20th in the NFL. Elliott ranks as RotoBaller's 16th kicker in Week 1 and gives him a matchup rating of 94.5, while projecting him to score 7.7 fantasy points. The 31-year-old had a somewhat shaky 2025 season. He made 20 out of 27 field goals (74.1%), including 7-for-10 from 40 yards or more and 4-for-8 from 50 yards or more. He made 41 out of his 42 extra point attempts. Elliott is currently rostered in just 8% of Yahoo leagues. While Elliott seemingly has a somewhat favorable matchup for Week 1, there are better options at kicker available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kicker Trey Smack In the Week 1 Streaming Conversation
Green Bay Packers kicker Trey Smack looks to start his career off on the right foot as the team heads to Minneapolis to take on the Vikings in the season opener for both teams. Smack, Green Bay's sixth-round pick in last April's NFL Draft, was a perfect 9-of-9 on field goals during the preseason, with a long of 59 yards. He also booted home all seven extra points and looked every bit like a kicker that has some staying power for the Packers. Of course, kicking in actual games that count is a different story entirely, but Smack seems up to the task. With the Packers being an above-average offense, Smack should get plenty of chances to score points, so for that, he's in the streaming conversation for fantasy kickers against Minnesota in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chase McLaughlin Offers Strong Streaming Value in Week 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin is attempting to kick his way into an extension this season. The 30-year-old is entering a contract year after spending each of the last three seasons in Tampa Bay. The past two seasons, McLaughlin has finished as a top-10 player at his position. Last year, McLaughlin struggled a bit more than in past seasons, connecting on 32-of-38 field goal attempts. He only missed one extra point attempt in 2025. McLaughlin has been a mostly reliable kicker, and the Bucs have a favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals defense in Week 1. The expectation is that this will be a high-scoring game, which should result in plenty of work for McLaughlin. Fantasy managers who are seeking a streaming option for Week 1 should consider adding McLaughlin.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Starting Potential For Will Reichard In Week 1
Coming off a season in which he was named a first-team All-Pro selection, kicker Will Reichard is a starting candidate when the Minnesota Vikings open the season against Green Bay in Week 1. The Alabama product was outstanding in 2025, when he made all 31 of his extra points and 33 of 35 field goal attempts, including all 22 attempts from inside 50 yards. Even better for managers, the Vikings' offense should be more competent in 2026 with the addition of quarterback Kyler Murray. The third-year kicker will also play 11 of his 17 games this season indoors, starting with Sunday's contest at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Reichard is RotoBaller's 12th-ranked kicker in Week 1, but if he continues his form from last year, he'll certainly be in the mix to be a plug-and-play starter this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Loop is a Top-Tier Kicking Option for Week 1
Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop is looking to start fresh in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts after his devastating missed 44-yard field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18, which ended the Ravens' playoff hopes and 2025 season. He ended his rookie year connecting on 30-of-34 field goal attempts (88.2%) and 44-of-46 (95.7%) point-after tries, but only made one of four field goals beyond 50 yards. During the preseason, Loop made five of his eight field goal attempts and drilled all nine of his extra points, but again struggled beyond 50 yards, going just one for three. Therefore, Loop is far from automatic or a set-it-and-forget-it starter. Still, he will be kicking in a controlled environment at Lucas Oil Stadium, which gives him a slight edge over other kickers subject to winds and weather this weekend. Most importantly, Loop is kicking for a high-powered offense, which gives him enough opportunities through extra points and mid-range field goals to have sufficient upside to make fantasy starting lineups in Week 1.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Evan McPherson Could Be Kicking Often In Week 1
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. McPherson knocked through a career-high 89.3% of his field goal attempts in 2025 and made 41 of his 44 PATs. The Bengals kicker was perfect through the preseason, nailing all of his kicks, and should be locked in for a heavy workload. McPherson should be among the league leaders in PATs considering that Cincinnati is projected to be a top-tier scoring offense again this season. McPherson should be in line for a lot of attempts against the Buccaneers in a game with the highest over/under of the week. McPherson is ranked K7 in our RotoBaller Week 1 rankings, making him a strong option to start at kicker this week. Fantasy managers should be interested in McPherson's prospects this season as he should be relied on often in a high-scoring offense.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
49ers Signed Kyle Shanahan to Extension in the Offseason
The Ringer's Tom Pelissero reports that the San Francisco 49ers quietly signed head coach Kyle Shanahan to a contract extension in the offseason, per sources. Shanahan was previously believed to be signed through the 2027 season, but one of the league's top coaches is now locked up for years to come. Terms of Shanahan's new deal have not been disclosed, but it is a big plus for a 49ers squad that looked outstanding on both sides of the ball in their season-opening win on Thursday in Australia over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. San Francisco has been notably banged up in recent years and dealt with key injuries again this summer in training camp, but their defense, in particular, was impressive in Melbourne in holding the high-octane Rams offense to just seven points. Shanahan was involved in a scary car accident over the summer as well, but he recovered nicely and was available for the Week 1 win. Things are looking up for the Niners going into Week 2.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
