Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings Week 1: Who to start, best sleepers at kicker

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings Week 1: Who to start, best sleepers at kicker image

Nothing captures the excitement and anticipation of a new fantasy football season like our Week 1 kicker rankings. The intrigue, the drama, the limitless potential -- they really have it all.

Obviously, that's not true. They have none of those things and are the most irrelevant part of your weekly fantasy prep. We get it. In fact, we're surprised most fantasy leagues even have a kicker spot. It's 2023, after all. Do you still have a VCR, too?

But for those who still plug along with the little-engines-that-could, we're here for you, breaking down fantasy's most unpredictable and annoying position every week. 

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Who are the best fantasy kickers in Week 1?

It should come as little surprise that Justin Tucker (vs. Texans), Daniel Carlson (@ Broncos), Harrison Butker (vs. Lions), Wil Lutz (vs. Raiders), and Evan McPherson (@ Browns) are the top five in our rankings. Lutz might jump out to some, but he's a proven big-leg booter who now gets the benefit of kicking in Denver's thin air. The fact he's facing Vegas' suspect defense only enhances his outlook.

WEEK 1 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs

We're a little lower on Tyler Bass (@ Jets) than usual given his matchup against what figures to be a stingy Jets' defense. It's possible that Buffalo is still able to move the ball before stalling out, giving Bass more scoring opportunities, but we're still a little leery of this road matchup. The same goes for his counterpart in that game, Greg Zuerlein (vs. Bills). Last season, Buffalo allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to kickers, so Legatron might need to connect on a 50-yarder or two to really pay off. 

WEEK 1 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs

Who are the best fantasy kicker sleepers in Week 1?

Is there really such a thing as a kicker sleeper...ever? Maybe not given how unpredictable this position is, but we can look for players with fewer worries than others. Weather is a potential problem in any given week, and even this early in the season, finding a kicker who's playing indoors is a plus.

In Week 1, Cameron Dicker (vs. Dolphins), Jason Sanders (@ Chargers), Matt Gay (vs. Jaguars), Brandon McManus (@ Colts), Greg Joseph (vs. Buccaneers), and Eddy Pineiro (@ Falcons) are all lower-owned kickers in semi-favorable spots who are playing in stadiums with a roof. Here's where we point out that SoFi Stadium in L.A. is technically open-air, but it does have a roof, so conditions are usually ideal.

If you want to avoid weather worries altogether (and didn't draft Younghoe Koo, who's also playing indoors), you can opt for one of these relatively safe options. 

We'll be updating these kicker rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.

Fantasy Kicker Rankings Week 1: Who to start, sit at kicker

Rank    Player
1    Justin Tucker, Ravens vs. Texans
2    Daniel Carlson, Raiders @ Broncos
3    Harrison Butker, Chiefs vs. Lions
4    Wil Lutz, Broncos vs. Raiders
5    Evan McPherson, Bengals @ Browns
6    Cameron Dicker, Chargers vs. Dolphins
7    Riley Patterson, Lions @ Chiefs
8    Jason Sanders, Dolphins @ Chargers
9    Younghoe Koo, Falcons vs. Panthers
10    Tyler Bass, Bills @ Jets
11    Matt Gay, Colts vs. Jaguars
12    Jason Myers, Seahawks vs. Rams
13    Brandon McManus, Jaguars @ Colts
14    Greg Joseph, Vikings vs. Buccaneers
15    Eddy Pineiro, Panthers @ Falcons
16    Jake Elliott, Eagles @ Patriots
17    Greg Zuerlein, Jets vs. Bills
18    Graham Gano, Giants vs. Cowboys
19    Chase McLaughlin, Buccaneers @ Vikings
20    Nick Folk, Titans @ Saints
21    Joey Slye, Commanders vs. Cardinals
22    Jake Moody, 49ers @ Steelers
23    Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys @ Giants
24    Chris Boswell, Steelers vs. 49ers
25    Dustin Hopkins, Browns vs. Bengals
26    Cairo Santos, Bears vs. Packers
27    Anders Carlson, Packers @ Bears
28    Ka'imi Fairbairn, Texans @ Ravens
29    Brett Maher, Rams @ Seahawks
30    Blake Grupe, Saints vs. Titans
31    Chad Ryland, Patriots vs. Eagles
32    Matt Prater, Cardinals @ Commanders

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.