Fantasy Fix: Top 10 Kickers
Let me stress this point Fantasy Footballer's, do not waste an early draft slot on a kicker. The difference between the top kicker and the last kicker selected is about one point a week.
Just because he's the last guy drafted and gets the least amount of fantasy love does not mean you just pick any guy with a leg. Look for a kicker that has a bye week late in the year, plays on a high scoring team and/or kicks in a dome.
Here are The Top 10 Kickers for the 2013 Fantasy Football Season:
1. Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots: Despite losses in free agency, injuries and incarcerations, the Patriots will score touchdowns. Someone has to kick the extra point. You expect Tom Brady to do everything?
2. Matt Bryant, Atlanta Falcons: Bryant is playing on a high powered offense and gets to kick inside. Be careful kicking inside. Mom always said, "Don't play ball in the house."
3. Matt Prater, Denver Broncos: The Broncos are going to score 15,694 points this year. That's a rough estimate. Prater also gets to kick in the mile high air where Air Bud once kicked a 75-yarder.
4. Blair Walsh, Minnesota Vikings: With Ponder at QB, Walsh will get a lot of chances. Last season he made 10 field goals from 50+ yards. His leg is HUGE!
5. Phil Dawson, San Francisco 49ers: Dawson made 29 of 31 field-goal attempts for the Browns last season and made the Pro Bowl. This year he's on a team that can actually score points. I'll draft him, but only because I have to have a kicker.
6. Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens: I see a lot less touchdowns for the birds this year. Good news for fans of field goals. Is there such a thing? Anyone?
7. David Akers, Detroit Lions: Akers struggled in the San Fran winds last season. This season he's in Detroit. The dome will help. There's no wind there, but watch out for occasional gun shots.
8. Dan Bailey, Dallas Cowboys: Bailey doesn't have a big leg, but he's consistent. He converted 29 of 31 attempts last season. I'm surprised Jerry Jones hasn't signed him to a 20-year extension.
9. Garrett Hartley, New Orleans Saints: High scoring team? Check. Kicks in dome? Check. Draft him in the fifth round? What the hell is wrong with you?!
10. Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders: Big leg, bad team, lots of opportunities to kick. Teammates call Janikowski the "Polish Hammer". Not sure if they really call him that or not, but I wanted to include this because it's more fun than talking about kickers.
Next time we'll talk Fantasy Sleepers for 2013.
Check out The Guru's Top 101 Fantasy Football Players, the Top 10 Quarterbacks , the Top 20 Running Backs , the Top 20 Wide Receivers, the Top 10 Tight Ends and the Top 10 Defenses for 2013.
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