How to Pick the Best Fantasy Kicker

Whether you’re playing in a fantasy league or drafting players for your own team, it’s important to pick the best kicker on your team. While you can’t go wrong with a kicker who has played in every NFL game, there are a few key qualities that will help you pick the best kicker.

First, you should look for range. A kicker with a good range will have more field goals than those with less range. You’ll want to look for a kicker who can hit field goals from 40 yards and beyond. This type of kicker should be selected early in the draft. Last season, Chris Boswell had 14 attempts from over 40 yards and had a career long field goal of 53 yards.

Another player to look at is Daniel Carlson of the Vikings. A fifth-round pick, Carlson has had some trouble during the draft. Despite that, he has made some impressive field goals, including a 55-yarder last season. If he can stay healthy, he should be able to finish in the top five.

Younghoe Koo, who ranked third in the NFL in field goal attempts, is another candidate to be drafted as a top-three kicker this year. He is a big part of an otherwise solid Atlanta offense. The Falcons ranked 26th in red zone touchdown rate last year, but a new offensive play-caller like Arthur Smith should improve this. However, a kicker’s success rate from deep ranges could detract from his overall fantasy value.

Harrison Butker is a close second among the best fantasy kickers. He is a highly accurate and consistent kicker, and he is playing in a Dockers-style offense. In standard scoring leagues last year, Butker averaged 12.3 fantasy points per week, which was second in the NFL behind Stephen Gostkowski. Last year, he made 42 field goal attempts.

Josh Lambo is a quality kicker with a high percentage of field goal attempts this season. Lambo averaged 4.3 more fantasy points than Garnder Minshew, but Lambo has been among the most accurate kickers in the league this year. While Lambo has struggled with consistency, he has been one of the best kickers in the NFL this year.

Cody Parkey is another player with high potential. His big problem last year was accuracy. He did not attempt a 50 yard field goal this season. However, he has a very high floor and ceiling. The Browns’ offense has been aggressive, which will provide plenty of opportunity for Parkey this season.

Matt Prater is another option that is often overlooked in fantasy drafts. The Detroit Lions’ offense has been dynamic under David Blough, and Prater is a solid option if you are relying on a kicker. His teammates have been consistently dynamic, and he has played in every game. Despite this, the Lions will be facing a tough Viking defense in Minnesota.