Kicker Tiers, Targets, and Players to Avoid

Photo: Tommy Gilligan, USA Today Sports

Every season, the drumbeat grows louder to remove kickers from fantasy football. I am against it, and since you are reading this article, you must also be in favor of keeping them. Or you just want to win this position in a league that still requires it. That works too.

The fact of the matter remains that most fantasy leagues still require kickers. With the position accounting for 10% of your lineup, choosing the right one can be the difference between a win and a loss in your fantasy matchup.

While I favor keeping kickers, I am wholeheartedly against DRAFTING kickers. If your league allows, skip the position and sign the best one on waivers before the Week 1 kickoff. Which is the best? I'm glad you asked!

Kickers to Target

• Justin Tucker
• Evan McPherson
• Tyler Bass
• Harrison Butker
• Daniel Carlson
• Matt Gay
• Dustin Hopkins
• Brandon McManus

The most straightforward methodology when selecting a kicker is finding a good offense. Everyone above is tied to one of the best quarterbacks and offenses in the league. It is no coincidence that they are all in the Footballguys consensus Top 10. The issue will be their ADP.

There is no reason to take any of these eight before your second-to-last pick, but your leaguemates might not agree. If they go early, don't fret. It just means more talent at running back and wide receiver for you to draft in the 10th-13th.

If your league awards more points for long-distance field goals, pay special attention to Justin Tucker, Daniel Carlson, and Evan McPherson. Tucker hit 19 field goals of 40 or more yards last year, Carlson hit 18, and McPherson led the league with nine makes of more than 50 yards. McPherson also happens to be my No.1 kicker for 2022.