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Over the years, more and more fantasy leagues are going away from kickers. Given the position being unpredictable, fantasy commissioners have just completely eliminated kickers in fantasy. However, having kickers makes things interesting.
In 2023, rookie Brandon Aubrey finished as the No. 1 overall kicker after averaging 10.4 fantasy points per game. Justin Tucker finished second, while Cairo Santos finished third. With Aubrey and Santos going from undrafted in most leagues to being consistent fantasy options throughout the year, it proves that spending a pick on a top kicker isn't worth it.
So, who are some kicker sleeper options heading into 2024? Let's dive in and look at three kickers fantasy managers can target in the last round of drafts.
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Ka'imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans
The key when targeting this position in fantasy is to look for kickers on great offenses. That alone should give those kickers a nice floor every week. As a result, managers should be looking to draft Ka'imi Fairbairn in the last round of drafts in 2024. Fairbairn finished as the K25 last season, but if it wasn't for a quad injury, he would have finished top five at the position.
TEXANS WIN IN TENNESSEE! #HOUvsTEN pic.twitter.com/OaLierESs8
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
He averaged 9.3 fantasy points per game in 12 contests, which was the fourth most by a kicker in 2023. The 30-year-old also missed just two kicks all year (one extra point and one field goal) and went 48-of-50 on his attempts. Being a kicker on a top offense should lead to some consistent fantasy days for Fairbairn. He scored at least eight fantasy points in seven of 12 games last season.
Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks
Everyone wants to target kickers on elite offenses. However, Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers is a sneaky option in the last round of drafts this year. The Seahawks averaged 21.4 points per game on offense in 2023, and Myers' proven track record should make him a set-it-and-forget-it option all season.
That's because Myers has finished top six at the position in back-to-back years. He finished as the K4 in 2022 and the K6 last season. The veteran struggled with some misses throughout the year, as he went 68-of-75 on all kicks in 2023. But having 75 opportunities for points is a good sign for his fantasy value in 2024. He scored at least eight fantasy points in nine of 17 games.
Blake Grupe, New Orleans Saints
Like any rookie, New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe had his ups and downs in 2023. He went a perfect 40-of-40 on extra- point tries but also missed seven field goals (30-of-37) in his rookie campaign. Still, the 25-year-old finished as the K10 in 2023 while averaging 8.4 fantasy points per game.
Former Arkansas State/Notre Dame kicker Blake Grupe became the 8th NFL rookie since 2000 to hit 30 FGs in a season after going 2-2 today.
He's only the 4th #Saints player to hit 30+ in a season in franchise history.
Grupe finishes the year 30-37 with 6 makes from 50+ (T-8th). pic.twitter.com/OYwNfk1e6O
— Logan Whaley (@LoganWhaleyWPSD) January 8, 2024
While Grupe might not fit the elite offense mold for kicker options, the Saints have shown they can move the ball down the field. Luckily, New Orleans not being able to punch it in helped the young kicker in fantasy last season. Look for Grupe to be more consistent in 2024, making him a sleeper option in the last round.
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