RADIO
Week 1 is here, and the NFL season is officially back. We're going to be seeing limited fans in the stands, but the play on the field will be back to what we know and love. While some people disagree, kickers matter for fantasy football, and that's what we're here to talk about today.
Last season, we saw a lot of chalk at the top of the kicker leaderboards. Guys like Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs and Wil Lutz of the New Orleans Saints lead the pack which made sense behind their elite offenses. Will we see some new names top the charts this year?
In Week 1, things are usually a bit weird. I don't expect that to change this year, and we're likely going to see even more weird outcomes than we're used to. With a limited offseason, offenses could struggle in the red zone which leaves us with some juicy Week 1 opportunities.
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 1 Kickers To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings
Tier 1 NFL Kickers
1. Harrison Butker (KC) vs HOU
2. Justin Tucker (BAL) vs CLE
3. Younghoe Koo (ATL) vs SEA
4. Greg Zuerlein (DAL) @ LAR
5. Matt Prater (DET) vs CHI
The Week 1 top spot goes to last year's top fantasy kicker in Butker. The last time these two teams faced off, the Chiefs ran up 51 points. This offense got better, and the Houston Texans didn't make enough of an effort to fix their weaknesses. Fireworks should be expected. Coming in second place is Baltimore Ravens' kicker Justin Tucker. Tucker has been arguably the best kicker in the NFL over his last several seasons. This Cleveland Browns' defense should be improved from last year, and they could force Tucker to do a bit more field-goal work.
More chalk names will come, but we're seeing Younghoe Koo break into the top five with a juicy matchup against Seattle. With an over/under set at 49, this is one of the highest totals of the week. I expect many kicking opportunities on both sides. Greg Zuerlein gets a quick chance at revenge on his old team. With this explosive offense against a Rams' defense that lacks talent in some spots, give me "The Leg" to have a big week. Rounding out the top five is Matt Prater of the Detroit Lions. One of the more reliable kickers from long range. He gives you a chance at a big week off just one or two attempts. With quarterback Matthew Stafford back under center, I think they can find some ways to move the ball into scoring range.
Tier 2 NFL Kickers
6. Jason Myers (SEA) @ ATL
7. Wil Lutz (NO) vs TB
8. Ryan Succop (TB) @ NO
9. Mason Crosby (GB) @ MIN
10. Robbie Gould (SF) vs ARI
At the top of our second tier, we have Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers. Similar to Koo, I'm expecting a lot of scoring opportunities, but I'm thinking he has more chances at extra points than field goals. That's where the slight downgrade happens. Next, we have Lutz. Against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that's looking to make some noise, we're going to have a shootout on the bayou where the kickers are busy. I'm thinking this game goes blow for blow, and that's how you end up with Ryan Succop from Tampa right behind Lutz in the ranks.
Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby is up next. This guy keeps getting older, but the leg strength remains. The Minnesota Vikings claim to have quarterback Aaron Rodgers' number, but I'm not convinced. I think they find ways to move the ball and put points on the board. Rounding out the top 10 is San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould. Similar to Crosby, he remains one of the league's more consistent options despite his age. This 49ers' offense may not be as efficient as last year, but they have a great Week 1 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals that will be looking to win in a shootout.
Tier 3 NFL Kickers
11. Tyler Bass (BUF) vs NYJ
12. Stephen Gostkowski (TEN) @ DEN
13. Brandon McManus (DEN) vs TEN
14. Sam Sloman (LAR) vs DAL
15. Dan Bailey (MIN) vs GB
Buffalo Bills' kicker Tyler Bass gets the nod at the 11 spot. He's a relatively unknown guy at this point, but I think he can become a fixture in this weekly piece. This Bills' team has the ability to move the ball, but they can bog down and give him kicking opportunities if quarterback Jos Allen has an off day. Next up is Stephen Gostkowski from the Tennessee Titans. That's weird to type, but he has a great shot in Week 1. The Titans' will find ways to move the ball, but this is a really good Denver Broncos' defense that could give him a sneaky shot at a top five week in the Denver air.
Right behind him is Broncos' kicker Brandon McManus. I feel wrong excluding anyone in the Denver game for these., and these teams are really close for me. This game could be really ugly with a lot of field goals for both of them. Rookie Sam Sloman of the Los Angeles Rams is up next. If this Rams' offense remains potent against a soft Cowboys' defense, you have a safe amount of scoring to rely on. Our final kicker for today is Dan Bailey of the Minnesota Vikings. Even if they come out on the losing side of things, Green Bay is liable for big plays here and there that can set Bailey up to score.
Kickers to Avoid
Josh Lambo claims the first kicker to avoid of the year. The Indianapolis Colts aren't likely to field a truly elite defense, but they can cause some problems with the talent they have at all three levels. Plus, without the fans to give the Jacksonville Jaguars some energy, they could have a really flat week all around.
Dustin Hopkins of the Washington Football Team takes our second spot. I just don't know how you can trust him in this situation. They're playing the Philadelphia Eagles' in a game that I think will be ugly on both sides of the ball. Bench him until we see his quarterback play consistently.
Austin Seibert was a middle of the pack kicker last year. While he has the potential to be more than that in 2020, Week 1 isn't going to be the start of it. This Ravens' team is a high-octane group, and I don't think Cleveland keeps up in the debut of Kevin Stefanski.
More Weekly Lineup Prep
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
