RADIO
I hope everyone reading this was able to start their fantasy season off on the right foot (get it? Foot, kickers... yeah, you got it). But in all seriousness, hopefully, Week 1 went just as you imagined it. I know in several of my leagues the point difference between a victory or defeat was less than three points, which can easily be made up by playing the right kicker or hoping your opponent played the wrong one.
We saw just how much kickers matter in the very first game of the young NFL season. Greg Zuerlein missed an extra point and a short field goal, leaving four points on the field. The Cowboys would go on to lose by just two points. Kickers matter. If you didn't make it out of Week 1 unscathed, hopefully, you can take a step in the right direction this week.
Alright, let's get to these Week 2 kicker rankings and waiver wire pickups. Each week I'm going to look at which ones we should be starting this week, some of the best streamers and some potential busts we should be avoiding. Below are my Week 2 kicker rankings, but be sure to come back later this week and check out RotoBaller's official Week 2 positional rankings.
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Week 2 Kicker Rankings
|
Tier |
Kicker | Opponent | PPG | Over/Under Line |
Confidence Rating |
|
1 |
vs KC | - | 55.5 |
9.9 |
|
| @ BAL | 10 | 55.5 | 9.9 | ||
| vs MIN | 8 | 51 | 9.5 | ||
| Greg Zuerlein | @ LAC | 12 | 55 |
9.4 |
|
| Tyler Bass | @ MIA | 11 | 47.5 |
9.4 |
|
|
2 |
@ PHI | 14 | 50 | 9 | |
| @ IND | 12 | 47.5 | 8.8 | ||
| vs TEN | 4 | 54 |
8.7 |
||
| Ryan Succop | vs ATL | 7 | 52 |
8.7 |
|
| Tristan Vizcaino | vs DAL | 8 | 55 |
8.5 |
|
|
3 |
vs BUF | 6 | 47.5 | 8 | |
| @ DET | 3 | 48.5 |
7.9 |
||
| @ TB | 6 | 52 |
7.5 |
||
| vs LAR | 4 | 47.5 |
7.4 |
||
| Randy Bullock | @ SEA | - | 54 |
7.2 |
|
| Brandon McManus | @ JAC | 9 | 45 |
7.1 |
|
|
4 |
@ ARI | 8 | 51 |
7 |
|
| vs LVR | 12 | 48.5 |
6.9 |
||
| vs HOU | 3 | 48 | 6.8 | ||
| @ CAR | 9 | 46.5 |
6.6 |
||
| vs SF | 7 | 50 |
6.5 |
||
| Evan McPherson | @ CHI | 11 | 45 |
6.5 |
|
|
5 |
@ PIT | - | 48.5 | 6.1 | |
| vs NO | 7 | 46.5 |
6 |
||
| Josh Lambo | vs DEN | 3 | 45 |
5.9 |
|
| vs NYG | 12 | 41 | 5.7 | ||
| vs GB | 6 | 48.5 |
5.5 |
||
| Nick Folk | @ NYJ | 11 | 43 |
5.5 |
|
|
6 |
@ WAS | 1 | 41 | 4.9 | |
| vs NE | 0 | 43 |
4.7 |
||
| Cairo Santos | vs CIN | 2 | 45 |
4.6 |
|
| Joey Slye | @ CLE | 14 | 48 |
4.5 |
Streamers to Target
Tristan Vizcaino, Los Angeles Chargers
Vizcaino is being slept on a bit when it comes to kickers, but there is a ton of upside on this Chargers' offense. Most touted the Washington defense as one of the best in the business and Herbert had no problem moving the ball up and down against them. They racked up 424 yards of total offense, which led to two short field goals and two touchdowns. They turned the ball over twice, which limited what could have been an even bigger day for Vizcaino. The Cowboys come to town in Week 2 in what should be a high-scoring affair. The implied total is way up there at 55 points, indicating fantasy managers should be expecting a lot of points in this contest. The Cowboys' defense didn't put up much resistance against Tampa Bay in Week 1. This should be a shoot-out, which bodes well for Vizcaino's chances.
Greg Joseph, Minnesota Vikings
Joseph was perfect in Week 1, connecting on all three of his extra points and a clutch 53-yarder to extend the game into overtime. The Vikings' offense racked up over 400 yards of total offense, once again showing an efficient Minnesota offense. The Arizona defense shut down Ryan Tannehill and the Titans in Week 1, but the Vikings should be able to have more success against this unit. Tannehill looked off all game. One positive, however, is the implied point total of 51 points. The Cardinals scored 38 points in Week 1 and if the Vikings are forced into playing catch-up, that kind of game script could end up working in Joseph's favor.
Randy Bullock, Tennessee Titans
Michael Badgley was the Titans' kicker in Week 1, but he struggled mightily. He missed his lone field goal attempt and also missed one of two extra point tries. Sam Ficken was supposed to be the Week 1 starter, but he's on injured reserve. The job now goes to veteran Randy Bullock and fantasy managers shouldn't be afraid to use him as a streamer right away. He kicked for the Bengals last year and made 21 of 26 field goals and 24 of 25 extra points. The Titans' offense struggled in Week 1. It was a terrible showing, but not one I expect to continue. They're just way too talented on that side of the ball to disappoint two weeks in a row. This is another game that could turn into a shoot-out with an implied point total of 54 points. Wilson looked very sharp right out of the gate, so fantasy managers should expect the Titans to have to score to keep up.
Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals
He's been one of my favorite sleeper kickers since the season started. For starters, he plays on a good, but not great offense. That's exactly the kind of kicker that can surprise fantasy managers. The Bengals piled up 366 yards of total offense against the Vikings. Going on the road against the Bears isn't ideal, but it could end up working in McPherson's favor. The Bengals should be able to move the ball with the amount of talent they have on the offensive side of the ball, but if they struggle to find the end zone, he might be in line for a big day. He's got a monster leg, which he showed off in the first game, booting a 53-yard field goal before finishing the game with a 33-yard game-winner.
Busts to Avoid
Ryan Succop, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Here's the problem with Succop this week, the Buccaneers' offense is just too good. The Falcons' defense wasn't able to stop Jalen Hurts and his random assortment of pass-catchers, do we think they're going to be able to stop Tom Brady with all of his elite weaponry at his disposal? I'm thinking not. The Buccaneers are going to put up points, maybe even a lot of points, but the fear is that they'll all come via the touchdown. There are worse things than playing a kicker on such an elite offense, but expectations should be lowered. Based on how the Falcons' offense looked, it's hard to imagine Matt Ryan and company keeping up. This could turn into a one-sided affair with the Buccaneers just running out the clock.
Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers
Wow. The Packers were brutal on the opening weekend and it affected every single fantasy player for Green Bay. While I don't expect the Packers' offense to struggle two weeks in a row, especially with a date with the Lions on tap, I also don't expect the good times to roll to Crosby either. Like Succop, I don't expect Crosby to kick many field goals in Week 2. The Packers should be looking to get back on track and after an embarrassing showing against New Orleans, Detroit is the perfect "get right" game if there ever was one. The Packers will fix their offensive woes, but all that means is Crosby is kicking more extra pointers than fantasy managers would like.
Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons' offense looked absolutely lost in their first game of the season. Some of that could be written off by having a new coach and losing Julio Jones, but it looked ugly. A date with one of the best defenses in the NFL isn't exactly what the doctor ordered to fix some of the woes they had in their opener. Koo was terrific last year, but there are a lot of warning signs already. The offense only mustered 260 yards of total offense and really struggled to move the football. It's only Week 2, but if the Falcons' offense struggles again, subsequently limiting Koo's fantasy production, it's not crazy to think we might see Koo end up on waivers before Week 3.
Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks
This is purely a gut call so do with that what you will, but it's early on and Russell Wilson was on fire in Week 1. Wilson always seems to come out swinging early and that was no different the opening weekend. Myers only kicked four extra pointers against the Colts. A date with Tennessee could lead to a high-scoring affair, but my concern lies with how effective Wilson and the Seahawk offense are in the red zone. Much like my concerns with Succop and Crosby, I expect the Seahawks to score points, but unfortunately, most of them are likely going to come via the touchdown. Kyler Murray ran up the score against a putrid Tennessee defense and fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting them to put up much resistance against Russell Wilson either.
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