Streaming Kickers: Week 1 Fantasy Football Targets

Sep 05, 2017

If you’re like most fantasy football players, kicker is a position you put zero thought into, and wish wasn’t a part of the draft altogether. Some leagues have done away with the kicker position, but for those who haven’t, there are actually a few ways to get an edge over your opponents when it comes to streaming kickers weekly.

Projecting a kicker’s output isn’t as difficult or random as you may think—in fact, taking a look at Vegas odds is the best way to accurately predict a kicker’s weekly potential. By focusing in on the team implied point totals, we can get a cumulative idea of how that offense will perform when it comes to settling for field goals, distance of kicks, and the like. For a more detailed explanation on using Vegas odds for successfully streaming kickers, I suggest checking out Chris Raybon’s DFS Playbook Strategy article, which is packed with info on the most profitable way to predict the position.

Another metric useful in projecting a kicker’s output is 4for4’s schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed or aFPA. By removing the schedule bias, we can compare matchups in an apples-to-apples manner. By Week 4, there’s a solid sample size to work from, and the info gets more trustworthy with each data-filled week.

In order to provide advice that you can actually implement, candidates for streaming must be available in at least 40% of Yahoo fantasy leagues.

Blair Walsh (SEA) @ GB

Now in Seattle after a four-and-a-half-year stint in Minnesota, Walsh has a fresh start and a powerful offense to kick for. The Seahawks/Packers game has the highest over/under of the week at 51, meaning plenty of opportunity for Walsh’s leg.

Looking at Seattle’s schedule when it comes to aFPA, it shows that their first four games are against opponents who give up larger numbers to the kicking position, so grab Walsh now and feel free to hang on to him for a few weeks if you’re happy with his performance. Currently owned by only 26% of Yahoo drafters, he’s around if you want him.

Phil Dawson (ARI) @ DET

The Cardinals let Chandler Catanzaro walk this offseason, in favor of former 49er Phil Dawson. Yep, the same Dawson who entered the league in 1999. Luckily, father time is nice to kickers and allows them a bit more time in the league than their fellow position players.

Dawson had an 87.5 % conversion rate over the past two seasons, and is now in a much more productive offense than in San Francisco. Arizona heads to Detroit this weekend to take on the Lions with a large 24.75 implied point total at an indoor venue. The 42-year old is only owned by 13% of Yahoo drafters, so he should be available for your streaming pleasure this week.

Continue reading for four more kicker streamers, plus four more options for deep leagues...