In fantasy football, there’s a lot of controversy surrounding the wisdom of drafting team defenses and kickers. Many experts advise against it as a waste of time. Instead, they advise steaming rather than drafting a kicker for the entire season. But with the caliber of the NFL kicking game improving, is that still the best option?
Fantasy-The Wisdom of Drafting Fantasy Defenses and Kickers
Since the fantasy payoff for your defense depends upon the team’s weekly matchup, the argument against drafting team defenses has been going on for years. Who your team is scheduled to play against in any given week is an important consideration. If your team’s defense faces a tough matchup against the number one offense in the league, it makes sense to check the waiver wire for better options.
To Stream Or Not To Stream
Weekly fantasy matches have been won and lost on the strength of an NFL defense. It’s not unheard of for a team defense to score 20 or more points. According to fantasypros.com, the Dallas Cowboys were the number-one fantasy defense last year scoring 178 total points. This total included an outstanding 37-point performance against the New York Giants in week one when the Cowboys demolished the Giants by a score of 40-0.
Recently, the conversation has pivoted to the wisdom of using a fantasy draft pick on a kicker rather than another flex player. But just as NFL defenses have improved, so has the caliber of NFL kickers. The calm, steady leg of a kicker capable of nailing a last-second field goal from 50 yards can be the difference between an NFL team’s win or a loss. It can also determine your weekly fantasy record.
Weekly Average Points For A Field Goal Kicker
Veteran Baltimore Ravens ace Justin Tucker has consistently been the top-rated kicker in the league with many regarding him as the best in the NFL. But last year he was edged out by an NFL newcomer when Brandon Aubrey, the Dallas Cowboys’ kicking sensation took over the number-one spot with 177 total points. Aubrey, a newly signed recruit from the USFL Birmingham Stallions, proved to be an NFL kicking phenom making 36 of 38 field goals.
But it wasn’t just Aubrey’s consistency that won him rave reviews, it was his superior leg strength. He consistently delivered 50-yard kicks throughout the season, nailing 10 out of 10 field goals. In a critical game against the Philadelphia Eagles Aubrey was perfect with four field goals including a 60-yard kick and two other field goals over 50 yards. Aubrey’s fantasy managers were rewarded with 21 points for his exceptional performance.
But Aubrey was not the only successful kicker in the NFL last year. The top five kickers in the league averaged 155 points during the season. Tucker, along with Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliot and Chicago Bears kicker, Cairo Santos could also be counted on to deliver solid weekly point totals for their fantasy managers.
A Bit Of NFL History
An NFL kicker having a sensational game isn’t a new phenomenon. In 2007, Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas kicked eight field goals (two over 50 yards) to earn the most fantasy special team points in a single game. Thanks to Bironas’ leg, the Titans won the game 38-36 over the Houston Texans.
Other more recent notable performances include Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein who counted for 23 points when he kicked seven field goals and two extra points in a 35 -30 victory for the LA Rams over the Cowboys in 2017.
Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders earned 23 points in a single game when he scored multiple field goals against the New York Jets in 2019. Sadly, those were the only points scored by the Dolphins, and the Jets won by a score of 22-21.
Of course, these represent extreme examples. An average weekly total for a field goal kicker is 8-9 points per game. In 2021, the top four kickers in the league delivered an average of 9.5 to 10.2 points per week.
The New Kickoff Rules
Another factor to remember is how the new NFL kickoff rule will impact the game. The goal is to create a more exciting game and keep the ball in play with an increased likelihood of kickoff returns. But with the kicker actively participating in tackling opposing players, will this lead to an increased risk of injuries for a kicker?
What to Consider
To put this in perspective, a running back will average 13-16 points per week. Outliers like Kyren Williams or Christian McCaffrey can deliver a weekly average of 18.6 to 20.3 points. Having a bench stocked with talented flex options is important.
But if a top-rated kicker with a strong reliable leg is available, grab him. The sport of football continues to evolve. In addition to flashes of breathtaking athleticism from the offense, the defense is also stepping up and making brilliant plays. It’s becoming harder to score against a defensive wall that is bigger, stronger, and faster.
The advantage of having a field goal kicker who can split the uprights from a distance of 55 or 60 yards provides one more scoring option for an offense. Putting points on the board with a strong and reliable kicker could mean the difference between an NFL victory and a loss. The same can be true for your fantasy match.
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