Look, we get it – you don’t like change. It’s cool. We’re all stubborn about certain things, like which way toilet paper should face or when it’s too early to put up Christmas lights. But really? Fantasy football kicker rankings? In the Year of our Lord 2023?
Hey, we appreciate the pageview, but why are you still playing in a league with a kicker spot? “Kickers help real teams win games!” Yeah, well, so do punters and long snappers, and you’re in no hurry to draft any of them.
All right, we’re sorry. Again, we’re glad you’re here. Who are we to judge what type of fantasy football league you prefer? And you’re right – kickers do matter in real life. They also matter in fantasy (even though they shouldn’t). Sorry, that was the last one.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2023 Fantasy Cheat Sheet
There really isn’t a strategy when it comes to drafting kickers other than waiting until the last round. Please, if your league still has kickers, at least wait until the last round to draft one. RB and WR sleepers are always more valuable. Sure, you hear lots of talk of wanting a kicker on a team with a decent offense that often stalls out around the 30-yard line, thus leading to more long field-goal attempts, but that’s easier said than done.
2023 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Top 200 | S-Flex | IDP
Last season, the top five fantasy kickers were Justin Tucker (Ravens), Daniel Carlson (Raiders), Brett Maher (Cowboys), Jason Myers (Seahawks), and Younghoe Koo (Falcons). All but Tucker played on teams that finished in the top half of the league in scoring, with the Cowboys (fourth) and Seahawks (ninth) finishing in the top 10.
2023 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Top 200 | S-Flex | IDP
The rest of the top-10 fantasy kickers (Nick Folk, Tyler Bass, Eddy Pineiro, Graham Gano, and Robbie Gould) played for teams that ranged from No. 2 in scoring (Bass) to No. 20 (Pineiro). The lesson here seems to be that getting proven, consistent kickers with relatively big legs in solid offenses is the way to go. Again, easier said than done, but it’s better than simply trying to guess which offenses will be good but not great.
2023 FANTASY SLEEPERS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Each Team
Getting a guy who can consistently connect from 50-plus yards is always a nice bonus. Last year, Carlson led the way with 11 50-yarders. Tucker, Maher, and Chase McLaughlin (9) weren’t far behind, while Gano and Brandon McManus (8) were right on their heels.
2023 AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Ks | Overall
It’s likely no coincidence that Carlson, Maher, and McLaughlin played their home games in stadiums with a roof, while McManus once again enjoyed the thin air of Denver to connect on more long field goals. Wil Lutz will get to take advantage of the altitude this year, but it will be interesting to see if McManus (Jaguars) and McLaughlin (Bucs) can continue to be accurate from deep in the elements.
FANTASY DRAFT STRATEGY:
Snake | Auction | Best ball | Dynasty | IDP
It’s always nice to have a kicker that plays his home games indoors, but that’s usually not a huge deal early in the year. Still, guys like Riley Patterson (Lions) and Brandon Aubrey (Cowboys) could be major sleepers, as both will play indoors for high-scoring offenses.
2023 POSITION TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST
You should never hang onto your kicker through their bye week, as there are always solid legs on the waiver wire throughout the season. If you want to hold off worrying about replacing your kicker as long as possible, you can target a kicker with a late bye. The NFL schedule-makers did fantasy owners a favor this year by giving Carlson, Bass, Tucker, and Gano all Week 13 byes. Koo (Week 11), Jake Elliott (Week 10), Harrison Butker (Week 10), and Jason Sanders (Week 10) also have late byes and deserve to be drafted in 12-team leagues.
Ultimately, kickers can make a difference in any given week, but you shouldn't worry about them too much ahead of your draft. Players at every other position are far more important. Focus on the skill guys, and draft whoever is left at kicker in the final round. If your drafted kicker doesn’t pan out, pick up someone else. It’s that simple.
We'll be updating these rankings and providing further analysis from now until Week 1, so check back for the latest!
Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings 2023: Best kickers, top sleepers
Rank Player
1 Justin Tucker, Ravens
2 Evan McPherson, Bengals
3 Daniel Carlson, Raiders
4 Tyler Bass, Bills
5 Greg Zuerlein, Jets
6 Harrison Butker, Chiefs
7 Riley Patterson, Lions
8 Wil Lutz, Broncos
9 Jason Sanders, Dolphins
10 Jake Elliott, Eagles
11 Cameron Dicker, Chargers
12 Younghoe Koo, Falcons
13 Matt Gay, Colts
14 Jason Myers, Seahawks
15 Brandon McManus, Jaguars
16 Graham Gano, Giants
17 Jake Moody, 49ers
18 Greg Joseph, Vikings
19 Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys
20 Chris Boswell, Steelers
21 Nick Folk, Titans
22 Dustin Hopkins, Browns
23 Blake Grupe, Saints
24 Joey Slye, Commanders
25 Eddy Pineiro, Panthers
26 Chad Ryland, Patriots
27 Cairo Santos, Bears
28 Matt Prater, Cardinals
29 Ka'imi Fairbairn, Texans
30 Chase McLaughlin, Buccaneers
31 Anders Carlson, Packers
32 Brett Maher, Rams
