Honestly, you probably don’t need to be here even if you are in the playoffs, but we understand that every start ’em, sit ’em decision takes on extra importance this time of year. You need to maximize points from every position, including the ever-volatile kicker spot.
Fortunately, the bye weeks are over, so every kicker, every matchup, and most important, every indoor stadium is potentially at our disposal. There are five games in stadiums with a roof (standard disclaimer: L.A.’s SoFi Stadium has a roof but is technically open air). Unfortunately, the NFL schedule-makers have multiple dome teams playing each other, but we’ll take what we can get.
WEEK 15 STANDARD RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs
The best options in terms of matchup and kicking environment are Younghoe Koo (@ Saints in Week 15) and Chase McLaughlin (@ Vikings), both of whom face teams in the top five in fantasy points per game (FPPG) allowed to kickers. Harrison Butker (@ Texans) and Wil Lutz (vs. Falcons) also face teams in the top 10. Statistically, Daniel Carlson (vs. Patriots) and Nick Folk (@ Raiders) have middle-of-the-road matchups, but they’ve been in the top 10 in fantasy points all year, so we’re not worried about them.
WEEK 15 PPR RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs
As far as outdoor kickers, there are plenty of good options there, too, as long as you watch the weather reports. Justin Tucker (@ Browns) and Ryan Succop (vs. Bengals) are both top-12 kickers with top-seven matchups, so they should be considered “must-starts,” while guys like Matt Prater (@ Broncos), Riley Patterson (vs. Cowboys), Eddy Pineiro (vs. Steelers), Mason Crosby (vs. Rams), and Randy Bullock (@ Chargers) have a little extra sleeper appeal in top-12 matchups. Prater is especially appealing back in the thin air of Denver, as we could see multiple 50- and even 60-yard bombs from him and Brandon McManus (vs. Cardinals) in that game.
WEEK 15 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em
Of course, as we always point out, matchups only mean so much for kickers, so if you’ve been riding high-scoring guys like Tyler Bass (vs. Dolphins), Greg Zuerlein (vs. Lions), Jason Meyers (vs. 49ers), or Brett Maher (@ Jaguars) all year, you should be fine just sticking with them. Evan McPherson (@ Buccaneers) and Graham Gano (@ Commanders) are playable, too.
WEEK 15 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
Overall, the most important thing about choosing a kicker in the fantasy playoffs is ensuring good kicking conditions. You can usually find at least one good kicker with a decent indoor matchup on your waiver wire every week, but if you want to stick with your usual starter, just make sure that weather won’t be much of a factor in his game.
WEEK 15 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
We’ll be updating our kicker rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes.
Fantasy Kicker Rankings Week 15: Who to start, sit in fantasy football
Rank Player 1 Younghoe Koo, Falcons @ Saints 2 Justin Tucker, Ravens @ Browns 3 Ryan Succop, Buccaneers vs. Bengals 4 Chase McLaughlin, Colts @ Vikings 5 Nick Folk, Patriots @ Raiders 6 Daniel Carlson, Raiders vs. Patriots 7 Harrison Butker, Chiefs @ Texans 8 Wil Lutz, Saints vs. Falcons 9 Tyler Bass, Bills vs. Dolphins 10 Greg Zuerlein, Jets vs. Lions 11 Brett Maher, Cowboys @ Jaguars 12 Jason Myers, Seahawks vs. 49ers 13 Brandon McManus, Broncos vs. Cardinals 14 Eddy Pineiro, Panthers vs. Steelers 15 Matt Prater, Cardinals @ Broncos 16 Riley Patterson, Jaguars vs. Cowboys 17 Evan McPherson, Bengals @ Buccaneers 18 Graham Gano, Giants @ Commanders 19 Mason Crosby, Packers vs. Rams 20 Joey Slye, Commanders vs. Giants 21 Randy Bullock, Titans @ Chargers 22 Ka’imi Fairbairn, Texans vs. Chiefs 23 Cade York, Browns vs. Ravens 24 Greg Joseph, Vikings vs. Colts 25 Robbie Gould, 49ers @ Seahawks 26 Chris Boswell, Steelers @ Panthers 27 Michael Badgley, Lions @ Jets 28 Jason Sanders, Dolphins @ Bills 29 Jake Elliott, Eagles @ Bears 30 Cameron Dicker, Chargers vs. Titans 31 Matt Gay, Rams @ Packers 32 Cairo Santos, Bears vs. Eagles
Week 15 Kicker fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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