RADIO
Week 6 is done, and we've seen some outstanding games thus far. We've also seen a lot of surprising teams through six weeks. The San Francisco 49ers, after picking in the top 10 for four straight years, are 5-0 with one of the most complete teams in football.
As far as kickers go, we're seeing a select few guys establish themselves as top options every week, and, unless you're streaming kickers, you're hoping you have a legit starter on the roster every time your matchups get started.
In Week 7, we're seeing a few top options on byes with Carolina Panthers kicker Joey Slye on the shelf along with Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Gay. Slye is tied as the leading scorer among kickers this season, so, if he was in your lineups, you're going to need a replacement.
Editor's Note: Get any full-season NFL Premium Pass for 50% off. Our exclusive In-Season Lineup Tools, Lineup Optimizer and over 150 days of Premium DFS Research. Sign Up Now!
Week 7 Kickers To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings
Tier 1 NFL Kickers
1. Harrison Butker (KC) @ DEN
2. Justin Tucker (BAL) @ SEA
3. Mike Nugent (NE) @ NYJ
4. Jake Elliott (PHI) @ DAL
5. Brandon McManus (DEN) vs KC
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is getting the top spot this week because he's playing against a good defense that can slow down his offense in Denver where the ball will travel further. Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker comes in at number two against the Seattle Seahawks. The Ravens offense continues to move the ball well, and he's tied for the league-lead with 63 fantasy points. New England Patriots kicker Mike Nugent is in the three spot this week. His offense is still one of the best in the NFL which keeps in the top part of the rankings every week.
Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliot comes in at number four because his offense is hitting their stride, and the Dallas Cowboys are trending in the opposite direction. This game could result in an Eagles' win without much resistance. Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus finishes out our top tier because the Chiefs' defense has struggled to stop anyone this season, and the game is in Denver. That's a recipe for him to get a good amount of points.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
6. Mason Crosby (GB) vs OAK
7. Robbie Gould (SF) @ WAS
8. Steven Hauschka (BUF) vs MIA
9. Greg Zuerlein (LAR) @ ATL
10. Dan Bailey (MIN) @ DET
Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby saw an interesting bump to his stock when wide receiver Davante Adams saw a negative report about his toe. The more Green Bay struggles in the red zone means more field goal opportunities. San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould remains an accurate consistent threat, but his offense scores too many touchdowns which takes away from his ceiling. Buffalo Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka is back from the bye week. He gets a juicy matchup with the Miami Dolphins for this week.
Los Angeles Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein has seen his stock take a hit this year because his offense has struggled. In Week 7, they get a get-right game on the road against a spiraling Atlanta Falcons team that has given up at least 24 points in all five of their games thus far. Rounding out tier two is Minnesota Vikings kicker Dan Bailey. With their offense rediscovering some of their explosive plays, he continues to see consistent usage every week.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
11. Wil Lutz (NO) @ CHI
12. Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU) @ IND
13. Zane Gonzalez (ARI) vs NYG
14. Jason Myers (SEA) vs BAL
15. Aldrick Rosas (NYG) @ ARI
New Orleans Saints kicker Wil Lutz is usually a lot higher in these rankings. On the road against a good Chicago Bears Defense, his outlook takes an understandable hit. Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn continues to remain a strong option every week, and he heads to Indianapolis to face a stout Colts Defense. If his offense remains explosive, he could finish a lot higher than this spot. Arizona Cardinals kicker Zane Gonzalez is the fourth overall scorer among kickers this year, and the New York Giants Defense continues to give up a lot of points.
Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers has been great to start the year, and he is on a great offense. His major issue is that his offense continues to punch the ball in the end zone, and they go for two-point conversions at a top-10 rate. Rounding out our top 15 this week is New York Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas. Just like his opponent this week in Gonzalez, Rosas is playing against a bad defense with an offense that plays at a high pace. There is sneaky shootout potential in the desert this week.
Kickers to Avoid
Dustin Hopkins and the Washington Redskins got their first win of the season, but he should be avoided in Week 7. The 49ers Defense has been playing great, and they're going to keep Washington in check. This keeps Hopkins on the sidelines rather than on the field where he's scoring points.
Sam Ficken of the New York Jets saw his offense come to life last week against the Cowboys. However, this week, they're playing a Patriots Defense that is playing at a historic level. That Monday game is not going to be pretty.
Randy Bullock of the Cincinnati Bengals has seen his offense continue to slow down since Week 1. In Week 7, they will be matched up against the Jacksonville Jaguars Defense that just held the Saints to just 13 points. The Bengals don't figure to score many more points than that.
More Weekly Lineup Prep
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
