The NFL season and fantasy football season continue to fly by, and with the fantasy playoffs not all that far away, start-or-sit decisions have never been more important. The Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, New York Giants Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, and San Francisco 49ers all have kickers out of action on a bye, so our Week 9 kicker rankings aim to help fantasy managers sort through all the variables to make the right choice at this tough position to predict.
Matt Prater finally returned to action and is back in play, but we'll need to monitor injury updates for Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) as it looks like he's in real danger of missing the contest against the Falcons. Taylor Bertolet will kick for Los Angeles if he's out. Other than that, most kickers look to be healthy and ready to go this week.
Fantasy managers who drafted a kicker early be looking at kicker rankings often, but it's always a good idea to have a general idea of what's going on at the position that doesn't get much publicity.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Week 9 Kicker Rankings for Fantasy Football
Rank | Tier | Kicker | Opponent | Over/Under |
1 | 1 | Justin Tucker | @ NO | 48.5 |
2 | 1 | Jason Myers | @ ARI | 49 |
3 | 1 | Younghoe Koo | vs. LAC | 49 |
4 | 1 | Daniel Carlson | @ JAX | 46.5 |
5 | 1 | Tyler Bass | @ NYJ | 47.5 |
6 | 1 | Harrison Butker | vs. TEN | 46.5 |
7 | 2 | Wil Lutz | vs. BAL | 48.5 |
8 | 2 | Ryan Succop | vs. LAR | 42.5 |
9 | 2 | Evan McPherson | vs. CAR | 44 |
10 | 2 | Matt Prater | vs. SEA | 49 |
11 | 2 | Riley Patterson | vs. LV | 46.5 |
12 | 3 | Jason Sanders | @ CHI | 44.5 |
13 | 3 | Greg Zuerlein | vs. BUF | 47.5 |
14 | 3 | Taylor Bertolet | @ ATL | 49 |
15 | 3 | Michael Badgley | vs. GB | 49 |
16 | 3 | Greg Joseph | @ WAS | 44.5 |
17 | 3 | Jake Elliott | @ HOU | 43.5 |
18 | 3 | Eddy Piñeiro | @ CIN | 44 |
19 | 4 | Ka'imi Fairbairn | vs. PHI | 43.5 |
20 | 4 | Nick Folk | vs. IND | 39.5 |
21 | 4 | Randy Bullock | @ KC | 46.5 |
22 | 4 | Mason Crosby | @ DET | 49 |
23 | 4 | Matt Gay | @ TB | 42.5 |
24 | 4 | Cairo Santos | vs. MIA | 44.5 |
25 | 4 | Chase McLaughlin | @ NE | 39.5 |
26 | 4 | Joey Slye | vs. MIN | 44.5 |
Kicker Streamers to Target for Week 9
Only players who are rostered in fewer than 50% of fantasy football leagues are considered streamers.
Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Tennessee Titans)
Since most fantasy managers refuse to stash a kicker on a bye, Butker is now available in over 50 percent of fantasy leagues and this is the time to take advantage. Butker is back and healthy as a set-it-and-forget-it kicker in fantasy football. Kansas City should have no issue putting up points on Tennessee on Sunday Night Football.
Matt Prater, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
Prater was once revered as one of the best kickers in the NFL, and since he's finally back to action after dealing with a hip injury, he's in play for Week 9 in a matchup that is expected to be a high-scoring affair. Prater made both of his field goal attempts against Minnesota, so he's good to go.
Will Lutz, New Orleans Saints (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
Lutz gets to stay home and kick indoors, and with a game total set at 48.5, there should be plenty of scoring opportunities. Andy Dalton and the New Orleans Saints offense is quietly one of the most potent units in the league, so Lutz should build on his top-12 fantasy kicker status Monday Night.
Kicker Busts to Avoid for Week 9
Nick Folk, New England Patriots (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
Folk is Mr. Automatic inside 50 yards, but this game against Sam Ehlinger figures to be an ugly defensive battle so his upside is limited. As always, an ugly game can lead to a ton of field goal attempts, but it's tough to project that and there are plenty of options on waivers with more upside.
Matt Gay, Los Angeles Rams (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Even after a bye week, the Rams' offense continues to look lackluster and even though Tampa Bay has struggled on defense this season, Gay will have a tough time finding scoring opportunities. Especially if Cooper Kupp's ankle injury slows him down a bit, Los Angeles could be sporting one of the league's worst offenses.
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