With the fantasy kicker position (generally) awarding more points to field goals than touchdowns, it makes a position that some fantasy players don’t really care about and then goes and complicates it.
There has to be a way to simplify it, so that fantasy players can focus on the more meaningful positions, right?
Maybe we should add something, like point-per-touchback. Yeah. You take the offense that scores a lot, with a booming kicker to send it out of the back of the end zone every kickoff.
And actually, full point-per-touchback won’t do it. Everybody knows it’d be more balanced if it was half-PPT.
Well, until that happens, we’re stuck trying to master the art of finding kickers on teams that can drive the ball, but can’t punch it in the end zone.
To reiterate why we’d care about kickers, and what it is we’re looking for:
Kickers won’t find their way into Upside Wins Championships dogma because power law distribution really doesn’t apply to them. In standard scoring, there was only a 1.8 point-per-game difference between the K1 and the K20 in 2022.
Yes, Justin Tucker finished as the K1 last season. But no, he doesn’t separate from the pack enough to stand out as a prime contributor on fantasy league-winning rosters.
Still, we care about a 1.8 PPG difference at other positions. Last season, that was the difference between Lamar Jackson and Geno Smith. Between Aaron Jones and Cordarrelle Patterson. Between Chris Godwin and Allen Lazard. And between Evan Engram and Jordan Akins.
So then, we would have wanted Jason Myers over Jake Elliott.
Wait. Everybody loves Geno, but Myers (Seahawks) over Elliott (Eagles)? Ah yes, standard kicker scoring in fantasy tasks us with the art of seeking kickers on good offenses, not great. Even borderline dysfunctional offenses could make the cut, as the Raiders’ Daniel Carlson finished K2, the Rams’ Brett Maher as the K3, and the aforementioned Myers as the K4.
Meanwhile, Jake Elliott, and his league-leading extra points made finished as the K21. And as impressive as Patrick Mahomes‘ season was, Harrison Butker was no better on a fantasy PPG basis than Elliott.
So, who are these low-owned options that may be worth streaming in Week 6 on decent but not great offenses?
Week 6 Bye Weeks: Packers, Steelers
Note: Ownership percentages are Yahoo/ESPN/NFL.com
JASON MYERS, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (18%, 44%, 57%)
AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
The Bengals defense is tied for 7th in the league in red zone opportunities allowed (18) as well as red zone stops (8).
Myers hasn’t been automatic, going 9-for-13 on field goals so far.
If he can get in his zone however, he’s on an offense that’s sixth in points-per-game (27.8), while just middle-of-the-pack in converting red zone opportunities into touchdowns (58.8%).
EDDY PINEIRO, CAROLINA PANTHERS (1%, 17%, 19.5%)
AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
In their last three games, Carolina has scored 21.3 points-per-game, and will almost certainly be chasing points when they face Miami.
The Dolphins defense is tied for the third-highest red zone opportunities allowed (19).
And Pineiro is 9-of-10 in field goals, with a respectable 6-of-7 from 40+ yards.
This one may not be sexy, but it’s a noteworthy option amongst a thinner week for lesser-owned kickers.
NICK FOLK, TENNESSEE TITANS (28%, 12%, 37.7%)
VS BALTIMORE RAVENS
Despite being a top-12 fantasy option on the season, Folk’s ownership percentage has barely risen since last week, as a three field goal, one extra-point day against the Colts gave him another double-digit fantasy point week.
A matchup against Baltimore may be partially to blame. But while the Ravens defense is 6th in the NFL in least red zone opportunities allowed with 12, they’re tied for 5th for most red zone stops with nine.
As FantasyPros’ Jesse Garcia noted:
“The 38-year-old should continue to see his fair share of opportunities with the Titans’ offense doing enough to get into scoring position, but not enough to consistently get the ball into the end zone.”
The risk with Folk is the possibility that the Ravens D shuts the Titans down similar to what the Browns did in week 3.
But Folk is 13-for-13 on field goals so far this year, including 6-for-6 from 40+ yards, so he could capitalize on opportunities even if Tennessee has trouble reaching the red zone.
Despite the tough matchup, Folk has week 6, as well as season-long appeal moving forward. Included in this series last week, he may be a series regular if leagues don’t pick him up.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to petition every fantasy football site about incorporating half-PPT.
