Week 1 is in the rearview mirror, and just like every other position in fantasy football, we can't overreact to guys who had huge spike weeks in their season openers. We also can't get too low on guys who laid an egg. The kicker position is arguably one of the toughest positions to predict in fantasy (hence why a lot of leagues have done away with them), so as always, we can only rely on the data we have and over/under point totals to identify kicker streamers, starts, busts, and sits.
Kicker statistics vary widely year-to-year and even week-to-week, but if you were one of the first fantasy managers to draft a kicker such as Justin Tucker, Tyler Bass, or Daniel Carlson, you're likely starting them every week. It's worth noting Harrison Butker injured his ankle against the Cardinals, so Butker managers will have to keep an eye out in case he's slated to miss the matchup on Thursday night with the Chargers.
For the rest of us who are playing the weekly streamer game at kicker, weather conditions, indoor or outdoor games, previous field goal success, and the Vegas over/under point total are our best tools. Strap in for another week of fantasy football, and another week of chaos for NFL kickers.
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Week 2 Kicker Rankings for Fantasy Football
Rank | Tier | Kicker | Opponent | Over/Under |
1 | 1 | Justin Tucker | vs. MIA | 43.5 |
2 | 1 | Tyler Bass | vs. TEN | 49.5 |
3 | 1 | Matt Gay | vs. ATL | 48 |
4 | 2 | Rodrigo Blankenship | @ JAX | 46 |
5 | 2 | Daniel Carlson | vs. ARI | 51.5 |
6 | 2 | Ryan Succop | @ NO | 45.5 |
7 | 2 | Dustin Hopkins | @ KC | 54.5 |
8 | 2 | Matt Prater | @ LV | 51.5 |
9 | 2 | TBD | vs. LAC | 54.5 |
10 | 3 | Robbie Gould | vs. SEA | 41.5 |
11 | 3 | Evan McPherson | @ DAL | 44.5 |
12 | 3 | Jake Elliott | vs. MIN | 50.5 |
13 | 3 | Wil Lutz | vs. TB | 45.5 |
14 | 3 | Younghoe Koo | @ LAR | 48 |
15 | 3 | Brandon McManus | vs. HOU | 43.5 |
16 | 3 | Greg Joseph | @ PHI | 50.5 |
17 | 4 | Mason Crosby | vs. CHI | 43 |
18 | 4 | Brett Maher | vs. CIN | 44.5 |
19 | 4 | Randy Bullock | @ BUF | 49.5 |
20 | 4 | Nick Folk | @ PIT | 41 |
21 | 4 | Jason Sanders | @ BAL | 43.5 |
22 | 4 | Chris Boswell | vs. NE | 41 |
23 | 4 | Graham Gano | vs. CAR | 43 |
24 | 5 | Austin Seibert | vs. WAS | 48.5 |
25 | 5 | Greg Zuerlein | @ CLE | 40.5 |
26 | 5 | Cade York | vs. NYJ | 40.5 |
27 | 5 | Joey Slye | @ DET | 48.5 |
28 | 5 | Cairo Santos | @ GB | 43 |
29 | 5 | Riley Patterson | vs. IND | 46 |
30 | 5 | Jason Myers | @ SF | 41.5 |
31 | 5 | Ka'imi Fairbairn | @ DEN | 43.5 |
32 | 5 | Eddy Piñeiro | @ NYG | 43 |
Kicker Streamers to Target for Week 2
Note: Only players who are rostered in fewer than 50 percent of fantasy football leagues are considered streamers.
Greg Joseph, Minnesota Vikings (at Eagles)
As a top streaming candidate in Week 1, Joseph delivered 13 fantasy points against the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings-Eagles matchup has one of the highest over/under totals at 50.5, as both offenses look explosive led by elite wide receivers in Justin Jefferson and A.J. Brown. Both teams can pass and run with ample success, and even though the defenses are supposed to be solid on both sides here, offense wins out. Joseph should see plenty of scoring opportunities.
Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos (vs. Texans)
McManus is always an interesting play in Denver thanks to his 50-plus yard range in the high altitude. Houston's offense might be just serviceable enough to keep this game somewhat back and forth but if not, Denver could blow them out with a ton of kicker opportunities. He's not a sure thing like some of the elite kickers, but for those looking for a one-week fill-in, McManus has some upside.
Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Vikings)
For the same reason Greg Joseph is an intriguing play, Elliott is too. Elliott scored five extra points and a field goal in Week 1, but the Detroit Lions' defense couldn't contain the Eagles' offense and hold them to field goals. The Eagles should move the ball in this contest, but the Vikings' defense should be able to put up more of a fight, perhaps leading to field goal attempts instead of easy touchdowns. Elliott has a career-long of 61, so the Eagles won't shy away from kicking as long as they're in plus territory.
Kicker Busts to Avoid for Week 2
Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers (vs. Bears)
The Packers' offense looked completely outmatched against the Vikings, and Chicago's defense held the loaded 49ers' offense to just 10 points. Aaron Rodgers will probably bounce back after a rough performance, but don't expect the Green Bay offense to become elite overnight. This feels like a defensive struggle waiting to happen (43 over/under point total), so it's tough to find a path for a ton of opportunity for Crosby.
Chris Boswell, Steelers (vs. Patriots)
Boswell scored 14 fantasy points against the Bengals, but this should be another ugly game on offense as the game with the lowest projected point total in Week 2 (41 points). Again, this could mean both teams will have to settle for a bunch of field goals, but that's difficult to project and rely on. Expect New England's defense to look elite against Mitchell Trubisky and company, leaving Boswell on the sideline for most of the game.
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