RADIO
It's Week 1 RotoBallers and today we're talking kickers. Kickers aren't the sexiest position, but they can help win you a week if their team's offense sputters in the red zone. With everyone looking to start their season strong, we're ranking the top 15 at the position to help you set your lineups.
Greg "the Leg" Zuerlein won multiple weeks last season with more than one performance of at least 17 points. Kickers don't always lose you a week, but it's the performances like that that we watch out for. Those aren't always predictable, but bad performances can be depending on certain conditions.
In addition to the top 15, we're going to list a couple players to avoid. They either have a bad matchup, bad weather forecast or just the wrong team context. Week 1 kicker ranks are underway. Read closely and you just might learn a thing or two on your way to winning your week 1 matchup at an overlooked position. Good luck!
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Week 1 Kickers To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings
Tier 1 NFL Kickers
1. Wil Lutz (NO) vs TB
2. Greg Zuerlein aka Legatron (LAR) @ OAK
3. Stephen Gostkowski (NE) vs HOU
4. Justin Tucker (BAL) vs Buf
5. Adam Vinatieri (IND) vs CIN
The New Orleans offense is always strong, and that should stay true this week against the Tampa Bay Buccanneers for kicker Wil Lutz. Zuerlein has another strong matchup and is in must-start territory each week. Gostkowski is consistently a top kicking option, and the Houston Texans have a defense returning J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus that could force some field goals. Tucker is Tucker, and he's a consistent top-five option. The Colts offense should hum again giving Vinatieri some lost value.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
6. Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU) @ NE
7. Mason Crosby (GB) vs CHI
8. Matt Prater (DET) vs NYJ
9. Josh Lambo (JAX) @ NYG
10. Harrison Butker (KC) @ LAC
Last season, the New England Patriots gave Deshaun Watson his coming out party. The promise of another high-scoring matchup could be great for both kickers. The Detroit Lions are typically strong on offense, but they could sputter out of the gate which pushes Prater down a few spots. If Blake Bortles struggles against an improved New York Giants defense without his primary receiver Marqise Lee, Lambo could finish even higher than ninth this week.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
11. Graham Gano (CAR) vs DAL
12. Daniel Carlson (MIN) vs SF
13. Randy Bullock (CIN) @ IND
14. Mike Nugent (OAK) vs LAR
15. Ryan Succop (TEN) @ MIA
Gano is normally a good option, but the Carolina Panthers offense can struggle in close contests, while leaning on the defense. The Minnesota Vikings have a great defense, which means less scoring opportunities for the unproven Carlson. Against the lowly Miami Dolphins, Succop could have a great week, but the team is working with a new coach and offensive system, which brings a level of uncertainty to start the year.
Kickers to Avoid
Chris Boswell of the Pittsburgh Steelers is normally a great option at the kicker position. This week, he is on the road, where the Steelers' offense normally struggles, in a terrible weather forecast with potential winds of 20+ MPH. He should be avoided this week, but he's a better option moving forward.
Aldrick Rosas of the New York Giants is on a possibly top-five offense this season. However, this week leaves much to be desired against the dominant Jacksonville Jaguars defense. Add him on waivers next week before the Dallas Cowboys, but fade him for now.
Jason Sanders of the Miami Dolphins may become a good fantasy option, but he's a very unproven commodity right now. The Dolphins offense could struggle while Ryan Tannehill gets his skills back, and Sanders would suffer. Possibly add him around week 6, but avoid him for now.
Weekly Defense and Kicker data will be added following Week 1.
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