Fantasy Kicker Rankings Week 15: Who to start, sit at kicker in fantasy football

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy Kicker Rankings Week 15: Who to start, sit at kicker in fantasy football image

If you're reading this, then you probably made the playoffs in your fantasy league. If you didn't make the postseason and you're still reading this...well, buddy, you have problems. Maybe crack open a book, do some Christmas shopping...I don't know, spend time with your loved ones? Anything but look at Week 15 fantasy kicker rankings. They're good, but they're not that good. 

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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Matt Lutovsky

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