After some kickers put up huge numbers in Week 1 of the NFL season, fantasy football managers have some tough decisions to make. Do you stick with the guy you drafted, even if he has a tough start, or do you switch to a streaming strategy this week?
Let’s take a look at which kickers you could consider streaming this week, with potential repeat performances for Chris Boswell, Cameron Dicker, and Chase McLaughlin among the options.
Top Kicker Streaming Options for Week 2
Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers (at DEN)
In the world of streaming kickers, find one who’s running hot. No kicker had a better Week 1 than Boswell of the Pittsburgh Steelers — who managed to go 6 for 6 with his field-goal attempts against the Atlanta Falcons.
As if hitting all six field-goal attempts wasn’t impressive enough, consider three of those conversions came from 50+ yards.
You don’t need me to tell you how outstanding that is. But I am here to suggest you put Boswell in your fantasy lineup if the Steelers’ offense continues to struggle to finish drives once they enter the opponent’s side of the field.
Pittsburgh is set to square off against a Denver Broncos offense starting a rookie quarterback in Week 2, which could make for a low-scoring affair where field goals may be the main source of points.
Chase McLaughlin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at DET)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense managed to generate seven scoring drives against the Washington Commanders. The four that ended in touchdowns featured scores that emanated from the arm of Baker Mayfield, while the other three culminated in Chase McLaughlin field goals.
The Bucs could find themselves in a shootout in Week 2 against a Detroit Lions defense that gave up 387 total yards in regulation against a Los Angeles Rams offense that has been decimated by injuries along the offensive line, wide receiver, and tight end.
If the Bucs’ offense continues to operate like it did against the Commanders, then McLaughlin feels like a solid streaming option in a potentially high-scoring affair in the Motor City.
Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers (at CAR)
The Carolina Panthers could struggle to score points against the Los Angeles Chargers defense. And if so, that should play right into the fantasy hands — or in this case, foot — of Cameron Dicker in Week 2.
Los Angeles should regularly have the football if the Panthers’ offense can’t get right this week. This means Chargers new head coach Jim Harbaugh may be able to run the football and settle for field goals regularly if Los Angeles steamrolls Carolina in a manner similar to what we saw from the Saints’ offense in Week 1.
Dicker managed to hit three field goals in the opener against the Raiders, which means he should be able to pay off these opportunities when the Chargers inevitably move the ball on the Panthers’ defense.
Kicker Rankings for Week 2
The following rankings are from Kyle Soppe and, therefore, may not directly reflect the advice above.
1) Evan McPherson | Cincinnati Bengals (at KC)
2) Harrison Butker | Kansas City Chiefs (vs. CIN)
3) Ka’imi Fairbairn | Houston Texans (vs. CHI)
4) Justin Tucker | Baltimore Ravens (vs. LV)
5) Jake Elliott | Philadelphia Eagles (vs. ATL)
6) Tyler Bass | Buffalo Bills (at MIA)
7) Jason Sanders | Miami Dolphins (vs. BUF)
8) Younghoe Koo | Atlanta Falcons (at PHI)
9) Brandon Aubrey | Dallas Cowboys (vs. NO)
10) Jake Moody | San Francisco 49ers (at MIN)
11) Cairo Santos | Chicago Bears (at HOU)
12) Jason Myers | Seattle Seahawks (at NE)
13) Jake Bates | Detroit Lions (vs. TB)
14) Cameron Dicker | Los Angeles Chargers (at CAR)
15) Blake Grupe | New Orleans Saints (at DAL)
16) Chase McLaughlin | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at DET)
17) Dustin Hopkins | Cleveland Browns (at JAX)
18) Daniel Carlson | Las Vegas Raiders (at BAL)
19) Chris Boswell | Pittsburgh Steelers (at DEN)
20) Joshua Karty | Los Angeles Rams (at ARI)
21) Greg Zuerlein | New York Jets (at TEN)
22) Matt Prater | Arizona Cardinals (vs. LAR)
23) Graham Gano | New York Giants (at WAS)
24) Will Reichard | Minnesota Vikings (vs. SF)
25) Cam Little | Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. CLE)
26) Eddy Pineiro | Carolina Panthers (vs. LAC)
27) Brayden Narveson | Green Bay Packers (vs. IND)
28) Wil Lutz | Denver Broncos (vs. PIT)