Fantasy Kicker Rankings Week 4: Who to start, sit at kicker in fantasy football

Kicker is a funny position (but our Week 4 fantasy kicker rankings are all business, don't you worry). Heading into last week, seven of the top-12 fantasy kickers were owned in fewer than 50 percent of leagues. Among there were Nick Folk (No. 2), Dustin Hopkins (3), Graham Gano (4), Greg Joseph (7), Robbie Gould (9), Matt Prater (10), and Chris Boswell (11). Meanwhile, Jason Myers, checking in at No. 25, was owned in 60.4 percent of leagues, and Younghoe Koo, No. 23, was on 84.1 percent of rosters.

It's tough to find a position that operates like this. Defense and tight end might have odd ownership/top-12 imbalance early in the season, but kicker will continue to be anyone's guess all year long. Of course, we have to try to make sense of it all going into every week, which is why we clearly don't adhere to current rankings when trying to project for the future.

WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST

As usual, we like kickers who will be indoors, but matchup matter, too. Unlike other positions, we can't simply look at fantasy points allowed. We have to balance how good a defense is in general with whether it can just keep a team out of the end zone or completely out of field-goal range. For kickers, as long as their offense can drive to the opponents' 35, then they still have plenty of upside. That's why we still have Tampa's Ryan Succop (@ Patriots) in the top 10. Yes, the Pats are a tough defense, but Tampa's offense is so good, we still expect him to get scoring chances. The same goes for Justin Tucker (@ Broncos), Harrison Butker (@ Eagles), Matt Prater (@ Rams), and Greg Zuerlein (vs. Panthers). The bonus for Tucker is he'll be playing in high altitude (is a 70-yarder in play this week?), while Zuerlein and Prater get the advantage of playing indoors.

WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST

Of course, sometimes we stick to a tried-and-true method of recommending a good kicker on a good offense playing a bad defense. Matt Gay (vs. Cardinals) and Tyler Bass (@ Texans) are the best examples this week, but Dustin Hopkins (@ Falcons) and Chris Boswell (@ Packers) are both on good enough offenses to take advantage of defenses that have given up a decent amount of points this year. 

WEEK 4 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo

We'll continue to learn more about this position as the year goes on, but for now, fantasy owners only have so much to go on. Opportunities will even out, and the best kickers will likely rise to the top. Of course, unexpected down years are nothing new, and there are always a few fresh faces who break out. Keep your eyes peeled and don't be afraid to make a move. Giving up on someone like Koo after three weeks isn't the same as giving up on, say, Saquon Barkley. Kickers are a dime a dozen, and to paraphrase the old saying, don't led a dime hold up dollar. You have more important players on your roster to worry about, so do what you gotta do. 

MORE WEEK 4 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup Builder

Note We'll update these kicker rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement.

WEEK 4 FANTASY: Start 'em, sit 'em | Sleepers | Busts

Fantasy Kicker Rankings Week 4: Who to start, sit in fantasy football