Kickers Corner
Are you ready to continue to build your lineups from the bottom up? If you have not yet done so, check out my posting for Defenses Here. For many, the way to build is to start from the top, pick out the QB that they want. They leave Def and Kicker to the end and just take whomever you can fit. For some, they choose to start at the bottom and work their way to the top. This way no spot goes without proper thought. I am here to help you by doing that research for you with the focus at the bottom of the roster.
Before the Pick Research
I love to play on Fanduel and one of those reasons is that I believe that the Kicker gives us an advantage. So many people roster whatever cheap kicker they can place. About as much thought goes into who they play kicker as they do who’s the boss. The best thing is, the Kicker might be one of the easiest spots to select. If you want to know what I look for in selecting a kicker I have you covered in my How to Pick a Kicker to find out.
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For a quick refresher remember these tips
- Teams expected to score over 24 points and favored to win preferably at home.
- Teams who play indoors or where the weather is not an issue.
- Kickers who can actually kick the ball from distance with high accuracy.
- forget about the price, and focus on the skill.
The main reason we want to focus on everything but ignore the price is that no other position on your roster will have more chance to return points based on the difference in salary. Top priced kickers are 5100, the bottom price is 4500. Many top options will fall into the 4700 range, that means for 200 more you could easily grab a 15 point kicker whereas the 4500 guys may only be good for 8.
Cash Kickers
Cash kickers will be kickers who can score us a solid 8-10 points. If they get more that is great, but we really need that safety floor just like any other roster spot. This could be 1 FG and 3 XP or it could be all FGs. To find these we will strictly follow the rules laid out above.
- Matt Prater
- Ryan Succop
- Josh Lambo
Matt Prater
Prater does not have a sexy box checking game coming this Sunday. What he does have is the ability to kick the ball from the parking lot and the probability that he will find some use. I like Prater more for cash this week because I do not think he is in a great spot for GPP winning value. It is always something that could happen with just 3 50+ yard kicks so do not leave him completely off your list.
Ryan Succop
Succop is a great kicker, but his lack of 50+ yard kicks really does require the volume to bring GPP winning numbers. What it does not do is hurt his safety in cash games. Succop is a favorite at home with a 24+ ITT who is only going to cost 4800. Not bad, and with a matchup against Houston, TEN should be able to move the ball to bring some volume. Again if the volume shows itself Succop could be GPP quality, but I would rather hold him as a cash play.
Josh Lambo
There is nothing wrong with a kicker kicking for 7-points if you are in a cash contest. Yes, we really want to hit 10+, but if being honest 8 points does not end your night. Lambo has been putting up a few 7-point games which have helped drop his salary to 4600. This week is the kind of week he can bounce back and go off. I like him for a cash saver when building cash lineups, but he could be good for GPP if things go right. The best play here is stack Lambo with Jac defense to help save money to buy up the top priced defense on the slate.
Hybrid Plays
If you are not sure why a hybrid play is I suggest checking out a Geek Favorite to understand what I am talking about. A quick breakdown, however, is these are players who carry a little more risk for more upside. This is an area where we can kind of skip some of the rules or interpret them our own way.
- Greg Zuerlein
- Jake Elliott
- Justin Tucker
Greg Zuerlein
The best kicker on a weekly basis right now. I do not remember a time when a kicker has hit 17 points so consistently, but what I can tell you is ride the train. The price for Greg the Leg is way underpriced for his production. Its like FD is forcing you to use him this week. If he were at home I am sure he would be a sexier pick, but find the way to find the value.
Jake Elliot
I like when Philly faces quality teams. Philly has been lights out on the season which really means Elliot is almost always in play. The only reason you would fade Elliot is that his price is only 200 cheaper than Zuerlein and Philly is much more likely to score TDs and not need the kick.
Justin Tucker
This is a risky pick so let me explain what you are getting yourself into. Tucker is a kicker who can honestly kick the ball from anywhere in the stadium and make the kick. Tucker is also used A LOT because Baltimore is not a great offense. There are a lot of weeks where Tucker has gotten his scores thanks to his defense doing a wonderful job. The risk is that this week he is going against Detroit. There might not be a lot of chances for either team to do a lot and that carries risk.
GPP Kickers
This group of kickers may score you 0 points but they offer the upside of 20 points if things go your way. These are the guys you may only play if you are going MME and looking to be different. They are also the kickers who may win you that 30,000 person contest. Of course, they are also the same ones who could lose it for you. RISK BE WARNED!
- Stephen Gostkowski
- Harrison Butker
- Nick Novak
These kickers are risky. Each offers something that I see where we could end up with a great score. For more on that join me in Slack and let’s talk about them together.