Fantasy football success often hinges on making the right decision with your lineup each week. Even the kicker position, frequently overlooked, can provide a real edge when matchups are favorable.
This weekend presents some interesting opportunities at kicker based on recent team performances and defensive trends. If you want to get an extra step ahead in fantasy football, keep an eye on the latest analysis before locking in your roster.
Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders (at DEN)
The Las Vegas Raiders offense looked significantly better in Week 9, with star tight end Brock Bowers back from injury. Their overtime loss to Jacksonville will sting, but it was a significant improvement over their previous performances.
Unfortunately, things don’t get easier this week, and they won’t be handed any favors by a Denver Broncos defense that ranks fourth in points allowed per game (18.44). Denver has the best red-zone defense in the league, allowing a touchdown on only 34.8% of their opponents’ trips inside their 20-yard line.
That’s good news, in theory, for Daniel Carlson, who should have plenty of opportunities to finish drives with his leg, and for three points, rather than one. Kickers can be a lottery in fantasy, but that’s as much logical reasoning as you could ask for when picking a guy this weekend.
Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings (vs. BAL)
However, if you’re reading this after Thursday, or you just prefer to pick a kicker who’s playing indoors, Will Reichard is a statistically great option this weekend. Reichard is up against the Baltimore Ravens, who have faced an average of 2.75 field-goal attempts per game this year, tied for the most in the league.
Because of this, five of the eight kickers who have faced Baltimore this year have been top-12 fantasy kickers that week. Of the three that finished outside the top 12, two missed out due to a missed field goal, rather than a lack of opportunities.
Among all kickers this season, Reichard is tied for 12th in fantasy points per game, and of the 11 in front of him, three aren’t scheduled to play this weekend.
Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI)
Jason Myers is tied for the eighth-most fantasy points per game among kickers this season (10.3) and is a good bet this weekend against the Cardinals. Arizona has allowed a touchdown on only 57.1% of opposition red-zone trips this season, which is the 12th-best rate in the league.
The Seahawks have more than enough to get the ball downfield, but so did the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night. Dallas had five offensive drives of over 40 yards, but scored only one touchdown.
On the other four, they kicked two field goals, making one, and turned the ball over twice, once on downs, and once via a fumble. If the Cardinals can defend their end zone the way they did on Monday night, Myers could be a busy man.