Fantasy Kicker Rankings Week 5: Who to start, sit at kicker in fantasy football

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy Kicker Rankings Week 5: Who to start, sit at kicker in fantasy football image

As we move past the quarter point in the fantasy football regular season, it's time to take a closer look at your kicker position. Of course, by "closer look," we mean spend 20 seconds instead of 10 seconds thinking about it, but nonetheless, our Week 5 fantasy kicker rankings can help you in your journey.

First, we have to acknowledge that several preseason top-10 kickers have disappointed so far. Perhaps, more accurately, several surprises have been performing well. Heading into Week 4, seven of the top-12 fantasy kickers were owned in fewer than 31 percent of leagues (Graham Gano, Riley Patterson, Greg Zuerlein, Brett Maher, Ka'imi Fairbairn, Eddy Pineiro, Cade York), according to Fantasy Pros. Even more surprising, five were owned in fewer than six percent of leagues.

This doesn't mean they're going to be the best kickers going forward. They might have already peaked and are about to head downhill. But there's no other position where over half of the top-12 players would be unowned in that many leagues, and at a certain point, you need to question whether your kicker is getting the job done.

WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs

Of course, we know kicker is volatile. Just because someone had seven field goals and four 50-yarders in the first three weeks (Gano) doesn't mean he's going to continue that pace. In fact, it's unlikely. Meanwhile, a disappointing kicker, such as Tyler Bass (vs. Steelers in Week 5), figures to see an uptick in attempts going forward, which is why we still rank him highly. It's tough not to favor proven kickers on great offenses, at least early in the season. 

WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs

As we adapt to what we've seen from individual kickers, we're also adapting to the emerging matchup trends. We know matchups mean less at kicker than any other position, but it's still worth looking at teams that have been allowing a high (or low) amount of fantasy points to the position. It might be totally random, but when the team allowing the most fantasy points is facing a stud like Justin Tucker (vs. Bengals), then you better believe we're going to move him up.

WEEK 5 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em

Overall, we're buying into Patterson (vs. Texans), York (@ Ravens), and Maher (@ Rams), as all seem to be on teams that can move the ball relatively well but can't always finish in the red zone. We're not quite as confident about Gano (vs. Packers), Zuerlein (vs. Dolphins), Fairbairn (@ Jaguars), and Pineiro (vs. 49ers) given their offenses and matchup. This week, we also like Wil Lutz (vs. Seahawks) and Jake Elliott (@ Cardinals) to break out, though that's partially just because they're kicking in stadiums with roofs. (UPDATE: Elliott is out for Week 5.) Maher (@ Rams) and Matt Gay (vs. Cowboys) will also get that luxury.

WEEK 5 DFS: Best stacks | Best values

Overall, this position is still mostly a crapshoot, but that's why there's no need to just stick with whoever you drafted. Byes are coming up soon anyway, so if your kicker isn't cutting it, don't be afraid to cut him.

WEEK 5 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings

We'll be updating our kicker rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes.

Fantasy Kicker Rankings Week 5: Who to start, sit in fantasy football

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

 

Week 5 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.