Welcome to the weekly kicker rankings – the top streaming options at kicker article. Kicker is the most maligned, overlooked, controversial, and disrespected position in all of fantasy sports. Is there a certain amount of luck involved in kicker points? Yes, absolutely, there is a certain amount of luck that goes into kicker points. However, there is also an edge to be had. As a sharp fantasy player, you should be happy to take that edge anywhere you can. There are plenty of fantasy managers that have been conditioned to think kickers don’t matter and as such they put no effort into it. We can attack these lazy managers and pick up the extra points they are leaving on the wire.
This article will focus on kickers that are available in at least 40% of yahoo leagues meaning they are likely on the wire in most home leagues and even a large percentage of FFPC leagues.
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Kicker Streamers for Week 2
Greg Zuerlein (Available 74%) vs. Tennessee Titans
Greg the Leg is available in almost 75% of Yahoo leagues. He was my firewall in season long drafts, and I still believe in his talent and ability to hit the big kicks when needed. The Jets looked out of it in Week 1, but they were playing the best team in the NFC and a Super Bowl favorite. Look for the Jets to bounce back this week against the Titans. Zuerlein should be able to capitalize on some inefficiencies and kinks that remain in this offense.
Aaron Rodgers rust will cause drives to stall out leading to some good opportunities to hit field goals. He still possesses the leg strength to hit the over 50+ yard kicks giving him the opportunity to hit the big ceiling we are looking for to swing a game in our favor. He absolutely deserves to be at the top of the kicker rankings – streaming options this week.
Jake Bates (Available 84%) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jake Bates took over as the kicker for the Lions late in August due to an injury to Michael Badgley. The injury was season ending, so the job is Bates to keep if he continues to perform. This week the Lions are in another high scoring matchup. Going against the Buccaneers, the game has the highest over/under of the week at 52. In his first opportunity, Bates was perfect going 2/2 in both extra points and field goals. The field goals were short kicks clocking in at 25 and 32 yards respectively. I am confident the Lions are going to score which gives Bates a nice floor. We don’t fully know his ceiling yet though. I am however willing to take the chance and lock in his floor and see what he can do when he gets the opportunity on some longer kicks.
Dustin Hopkins (Available 76%) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
It was surprising to see that Hopkins wasn’t drafted more. I’m guessing fantasy managers still have a bad taste in their mouth from him getting injured last year going into Championship week. I however harbor no ill will and would gladly take the same production he put up last year. Speaking of 2023. Hopkins finished No. 2 overall for average fantasy points per week with 9.9 finishing only behind Dallas’s Brandon Aubrey. Why the second-best kicker last year is available in over 75% of leagues is mind boggling. It really proves that people don’t pay much attention to kickers. Again, this lack of attention is a place we want to attack and take the edge and +ev that other owners are leaving on the table for us.
The Browns themselves are not sleeping on Hopkins’ big year in 2023. They signed him to a 3 year 15.9-million-dollar extension this offseason. There was a little trepidation to draft Hopkins due to a minor injury in August, but he was a full go in Week 1 and nailed a 51-yarder showing there are no residual concerns. Pick up Hopkins now and you may be able to ride him all season. He absolutely deserves to be ranked highly in the kicker rankings.
Good luck in Week 2! If you have any questions, you can find me in the discord where I’m always available to answer any questions or on X!
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