Week 8 Kicker Streamers, Starters, and Rankings - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Kacey Kasem examines 2024 fantasy football Week 8 kickers. Who are the streamers, starts, sits, targets, avoids, and waiver wire pickups for Week 8 in 2024?

Kickers are often overlooked in fantasy football, but they can be the difference between a win and a loss in close matchups. While many fantasy managers wait until the last rounds of drafts to snag a kicker, streaming might be your best option. A reliable kicker who consistently puts up points is worth paying attention to throughout the season, especially in leagues that reward distance or accuracy.

Chris Boswell of the Pittsburgh Steelers is a prime example, currently sitting at K1 in fantasy football after a 14-point performance against the New York Jets in Week 7. The week before, Boswell racked up 17 points versus the Las Vegas Raiders, two of the top eight teams allowing the most fantasy points to opposing kickers.

The key to maximizing kicker production is all about understanding the game script, weather conditions, and team performance. Kickers on high-powered offenses naturally get more opportunities, while those on struggling teams may see fewer scoring chances but benefit from long field goal attempts. Monitoring kicker usage, matchups, and tendencies gives wise managers a strong edge each and every week.

Editor's Note: Stay on top of your draft prep with RotoBaller’s fantasy football rankings, featuring expert analysis, ADPs, and draft insights for both PPR and non-PPR leagues.

Week 8 Kicker Rankings for Fantasy Football

Fantasy Football Kicker Streamers to Target for Week 8

Only players rostered in fewer than 60% of fantasy football leagues are considered streamers.

Wil Lutz (DEN) vs Carolina Panthers
6% Rostered on Sleeper

One kicker trending upwards and emerging as a steady fantasy option with an impressive 18-point performance in Week 7 was Will Lutz of the Broncos. Facing a defense that allows the most fantasy points to opposing kickers, he made the most of his opportunities and capitalized on a favorable contest against the New Orleans Saints.

This week, he gets another great game against the Carolina Panthers, a team currently conceding the fourth-most fantasy points to kickers.

Broncos kicker Will Lutz makes his return to New Orleans and he’s welcomed by a stadium full of boo’s. pic.twitter.com/qatEPndhGz

— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) October 18, 2024

In his recent outing, Lutz was perfect, converting all four of his field goal attempts and all three extra points. His accuracy has been fantastic this season, missing only one kick for a 94 percent field goal conversion rate.

The Panthers' defense is shaky, and with Denver's offense likely moving the ball, Lutz should have an abundance of scoring chances. His ability to hit from long range only adds to his appeal.

This week, Lutz is the perfect streaming option, especially for managers who need a kicker with accuracy, reliability, and upside. He is available in many leagues, meaning you can pick him up and secure a kicker poised to deliver another strong performance in Week 8.

Jake Bates (DET) vs Tennessee Titans
35% Rostered on Sleeper

Jake Bates of the Detroit Lions is becoming a solid streaming option for Week 8. In Week 7, he scored eight fantasy points against a tough Minnesota Vikings defense despite being given only one field goal opportunity. He did convert that lone field goal.

Bates also went a perfect 4-for-4 on extra points and showed his reliability with a game-winning 44-yard field goal in the final moments.

Flex on 'em Jake Bates!

📺: #DETvsMIN on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/f1fF0sjuRe

— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024

This week, the Arkansas product has a favorable matchup against the Tennessee Titans, who allow the 13th-most fantasy points to opposing kickers. With Detroit's offense continuing to roll, he should see more chances to add to his point total.

The Lions have been effective in moving the ball, which should put Bates in an ideal position for more field goals and extra-point attempts throughout the game.

Bates has posted two double-digit fantasy performances this season, and he looks poised to add another in Week 8. With the Titans' defense giving up scoring opportunities and Detroit's offense thriving, it should be a busy day for the Lions' kicker.

Anders Carlson (SF) vs. Dallas Cowboys
5% Rostered on Sleeper

Due to kicker injuries, the San Francisco 49ers Anders Carlson is a streaming option for Week 8. Both Jake Moody and Matthew Wright are sidelined, with Wright on injured reserve, leaving Carlson to handle kicking duties.

Though he has moved back to the practice squad, the former sixth rounder is said to be the kicker again when the 49ers face the Dallas Cowboys. In Week 7, he went 2-for-2 on field goals, hitting from 24 and 55 yards, but missed an extra-point attempt.

49ers’ K Anders Carlson drills a 55-yard field goal in his debut for SF.pic.twitter.com/dBQR4tW4cm

— NFL Talk (@NFL_Talk_Sports) October 20, 2024

The upcoming matchup against the Cowboys offers a significant opportunity for Carlson, as Dallas gives up the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing kickers.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has confirmed with Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News that the 26-year-old will handle kicking duties once more, putting him in position for another productive game. His long-range accuracy could help him secure solid fantasy numbers despite last week's missed extra point.

With Dallas allowing plenty of chances to opposing kickers, Carlson remains a suitable streaming option. He should see plenty of kicking attempts as the 49ers' offense moves the ball. The 2023 NFL Draft pick is a perfect choice for fantasy managers needing a kicker this week.

Fantasy Football Kickers to Avoid for Week 8

Jason Myers (SEA) vs Buffalo Bills
32% Rostered on Sleeper

This week's matchup poses challenges for the Seattle Seahawks' kicker, Jason Myers. He faces off against the Buffalo Bills. The Seattle kicker is coming off a superb 12-point fantasy performance and has been effective this season.

Myers has converted 11-of-14 field goals and made all his extra points, including six successful kicks from beyond 40 yards. However, taking on the Bills, who surrender the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers, makes him a challenging start.

The Bills do not permit many fantasy points to opposing kickers, conceding an average of 7.7 per game. They have given up 14 extra points and 10 field goals this season.

With such a low average, the kicker's scoring possibilities will likely be limited in this game. Given the Bills' defensive strength and capability to limit opposing offenses, this contest is worth avoiding.

Considering these factors, it would be wise to pivot to another kicker this week. While the 33-year-old has shown he can perform well, the combination of a strong opponent and limited scoring potential makes him a sit for fantasy managers looking for points from the kicker position.

Joshua Karty (LAR) vs Minnesota Vikings
6% Rostered on Sleeper

Week 8 presents a difficult kicking situation for Joshua Karty of the Los Angeles Rams, making him a candidate to sit.

He struggled immensely in his last game against the Las Vegas Raiders, missing his only field goal shot and converting just two of three extra-point tries. He finished with zero fantasy points.

While he started the season reliably, the rookie has now recorded zero points in his last two contests, including a disappointing game in Week 5.

He faces a daunting matchup this week, taking on the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota yields the fewest fantasy points to kickers per game this season. The Vikings have been brutal on opposing kickers, conceding an average of just 4.4 points per game.

Given these circumstances, fantasy managers should look for kicker alternatives. Karty's recent performances and the challenging matchup make him a risky start in Week 8.

Thanks for reading! Best of luck in Week 8.

More Fantasy Football Analysis