Week 17 Kicker Streamers and Starts - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

'Tis the season for the unexpected — the holidays, spending time with family, shopping for gifts, and traveling can be a lot. Sure, the holidays are great, and we have some awesome football games to look forward to. We also have decisions regarding our fantasy football lineups, which can add to all the chaos, especially as the championships have arrived. I hope your fantasy team is still in it this week, and you didn't get knocked out in Week 16.

I had a disappointing Sunday, much like Dustin Hopkins, who picked up -1.0 fantasy points in Week 16 after sitting out the previous game. My car died in the middle of nowhere on the nine-and-a-half-hour drive to visit family in El Paso, so not great. If you've been to West Texas, you know there's not much going on for long stretches of the drive.

Do you know who did have a good Sunday? Kicker Jason Sanders of the Dolphins. Sanders connected on all five of his field goals facing the 49ers. He has now hit on 23 consecutive kicks, breaking his franchise record and scoring 21 fantasy points. He is ranked as my K2 this week and is still available in 37% of Sleeper leagues. The Miami kicker is on enough rosters to not be considered a streamer, but he should have a fantastic game. Who else should you be starting at the position, and who is best left on your bench? Let's take a look at my rankings, streamers, and sits at the kicker position for Week 17.

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Week 17 Kicker Rankings for Fantasy Football

Mid-Week Updates:

• 12/24: The Jets signed Greg Joseph to their practice squad, as reported by his agent Brett Tessler. Anders Carlson struggled on Sunday, so the Jets were expected to sign a kicker.

Kicker Streamers to Target for Week 17

Only players rostered in fewer than 60% of fantasy football leagues are considered streamers.

Chase McLaughlin (TB) vs. Carolina Panthers
57.5% Rostered on Sleeper

Last week, I had Chase McLaughlin listed as a kicker to start as he faced the Cowboys. While he didn't sniff monster numbers in that contest, the kicker was perfect in his outing. The Buccaneer connected on his only field goal try while hitting all three extra points.

While McLaughlin posted average numbers in Week 16, this week's contest with the Panthers should be one where the kicker thrives. Carolina has given up the most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers, tied for the fourth-most points allowed over the last month.

#ChaseMcLaughlin's .932 FG percentage since arriving in Tampa Bay in 2023 ranks third in the NFL during that span 🔥

Last day to #ProBowlVote! 🗳️ pic.twitter.com/Z6yJ9bOKKr

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 24, 2024

This season, Carolina has surrendered seven field goals from 50-plus, 10 from 40-49 yards, and 16 from less than 40. They have also conceded the third-most extra points to opposing kickers this season.

While McLaughlin was not as busy as fantasy managers would have liked in Week 16, he should post impressive fantasy numbers in Week 17. The 28-year-old posted 15 fantasy points when battling the Panthers back in Week 13, adding to his allure this week.

The kicker has been solid this year; currently, the K8 in fantasy. If you need the assistance and McLaughlin is still available, you should get him on your roster ASAP.

Wil Lutz (DEN) at Cincinnati Bengals
18% Rostered on Sleeper

A streaming option at kicker this week is a top-5 kicker this season, but he is not rostered like one. Those who have rolled with Wil Lutz of the Broncos have seen solid production. He has connected on 90.6% of his kicks this season while seeing a high volume of work. The Georgia State product is available in many leagues despite his outstanding season.

In Week 16, Lutz was perfect, making both of his field goal attempts while connecting on all three extra-point tries in a loss to the Chargers. His longest kick in that match was from 55 yards out. The 30-year-old has not missed a kick since Week 10, when the Chiefs blocked a game-winning field goal.

Will Lutz gets the lead back for Denver.

Under three minutes to play. Buckle up.

📺: #CLEvsDEN on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/OOPLnstCv4

— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2024

This week, the Broncos face the Bengals in a decent matchup for Lutz. Although the Bengals have allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points per game to the position, there are some ways kickers have taken advantage of them.

Cincinnati has conceded the fifth-most extra points to kickers this season at 41. Although the Bengals did not allow a field goal in their last two games, they faced Nick Folk of the Titans and Dustin Hopkins of the Browns. These are not players who strike fear into rivals.

Lutz should have another dependable game in Week 17 and is a nice plug-and-play player if your lineup needs the help. With an average of 9.53 fantasy points per game, you can feel confident placing the former Pro Bowler into your championship lineup.

Chad Ryland (ARI) at Los Angeles Rams
5.9% Rostered on Sleeper

Kicker Matt Prater's practice window is open, and he could play in Saturday's game against the Rams. He has been on injured reserve since October and has not seen the field since Week 4.

Chad Ryland should be on your streaming radar if Prater does not get the green light. It has been an incredible journey for the Maryland alum this season. After being drafted in 2023 by the Patriots, the team decided to part ways with him in August. Ryland got a second chance when the Cardinals signed him to the practice squad on Oct. 2.

RYLAND KEEPS ARIZONA’S PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE!#Cardinals K Chad Ryland kicks a 58-yd field goal to tie the game and send it to OT. pic.twitter.com/FZJAkia0y1

— Kicker Update (@kickerupdate) December 22, 2024

Ryland has filled in admirably in Prater's absence, making 25-of-29 field goals and all 21 extra-point attempts. The 25-year-old has secured double-digit fantasy points in three of his last four contests.

In Sunday's overtime loss to Carolina, the kicker was perfect on the day, nailing all three field goals and extra points. His final kick sent the contest into overtime. Additionally, Ryland's longest kick came from 58 yards out and was the longest he has recorded this season.

This week, Arizona battles the Rams. The Rams have conceded the 10th-most fantasy points per contest to the kicker position over the last four games. Over that span, LAR has given up the second-most field goals from 50+ yards, tied with the Jets and the Cardinals. If Prater can't go, Ryland deserves to be in your starting lineup.

Kickers to Avoid for Week 17

Jake Moody (SF) vs. Detroit Lions
58.3% Rostered on Sleeper

Money Moody may be no more. Jake Moody has been mediocre this season, connecting on 76.7% of his field goals. He has not scored double-digit fantasy points since Week 4's battle with the Patriots.

The Michigan alum has had difficulty from 50+ yards this season, knocking through just three of the six he has attempted. But he has also had challenges with accuracy on closer kicks, as demonstrated last week.

In Week 16's contest with the Dolphins, Moody connected on one of his two field goal tries while nailing both extra point attempts. The field goal he missed was crucial, as it came in the third quarter with the 49ers down by six. This was the second time in four weeks that the kicker missed at least one field goal.

The 49ers take on the Lions this week. Detroit has surrendered the 12th-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing kickers this season. While Brandon Aubrey, Tyler Bass, Ka'imi Fairbairn, and Will Reichard have produced when kicking against Detroit, Moody has not played like those kickers.

With an average of 8.25 fantasy points per outing, the San Francisco kicker is not a recommended start this week. There are plenty of consistent and better-scoring kickers on waivers, so check out the recommended streamers. You don't want to lose your finals because your kicker puts up modest numbers, and Moody's ceiling suggests that will happen.

Cairo Santos (CHI) vs. Seattle Seahawks
5.4% Rostered on Sleeper

You're probably used to seeing Cairo Santos' name here, but if you're still sticking with the journeyman, congrats on making it to the championships with a floundering kicker. Please don't rely on him to help your roster this week, but instead, keep him benched.

The veteran kicker has averaged 6.13 fantasy points per contest this season, sitting as the K26. He has recorded eight games of five or fewer fantasy points. The Tulane alum has connected on 82.6% of his field goals this season. He hit 92.1% of his field goals in 2023 and 91.3% in 2022, so 2024 has been disappointing.

Sure, in Week 16, Santos didn't miss. He knocked through 2-of-2 extra point tries and connected on his only field goal. Unfortunately, that level of action is not enough to earn important fantasy points.

The Bears will battle the Seahawks in Chicago this week. Keep an eye on the forecast; there is a good chance for precipitation this weekend. The wind gusts are known to be strong at Soldier Field, so this is another factor to consider. Additionally, the Seahawks concede the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to their kicking competition, making it harder to start the Brazilian-born player.

With Santos having a less-than-stellar season and every point mattering in the championships, the kicker is one to avoid. His 6.13 fantasy points per contest and lack of opportunities make him an untrustworthy starting option.

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