Every position is hurting because of this week's six-team bye, and our Week 9 fantasy kicker rankings are especially weak. No Graham Gano? No Chris Boswell? No Brett Maher? No Brandon McManus? No Robbie Gould? No...whoever kicks for the Browns? (Don't worry, we know it's Cade York...probably). The horror.
We joke, but heading into Week 8, those were five of fantasy's top-14 kickers. Only Gould wasn't in the top 20, so more than a few fantasy owners are probably looking for a new leg. If you're in that situation, please remember that you should never use a waiver claim on a kicker, nor should you have two kickers on your roster. You can get away with that in the fantasy playoffs, but not in Week 9. As much as you might love Gano, you have to let him go. That roster spot is too valuable, and you might be able to get him back as a free agent the following week anyway. If not, you can get one of the other high-quality kickers who was recently dropped.
Fortunately, there are a few worthwhile fill-ins in Week 9. Eddy Pineiro (@ Bengals in Week 9), Jake Elliott (@ Texans), and Jason Meyers (@ Cardinals) all have top-10 matchups (if you trust kicker matchups) and are widely available. Elliott and Meyers have the bonus of kicking in a stadium with a roof, so they're safe options. Highly owned kickers Justin Tucker (@ Saints) and Younghoe Koo (vs. Chargers) also are playing indoors in top matchups, so they're as good as it gets this week.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs
Daniel Carlson (@ Jaguars), Ka'imi Fairbairn (vs. Eagles), and Greg Zuerlein (vs. Bills) are the most notable high-scoring kickers with bottom-six matchups. We'd stick with Carlson, but Fairbairn and Zuerlein aren't "must-starts." Fairbairn is indoors and Zuerlein's big leg always gives him upside, so it's not as if you have to sit them, but they're a little riskier than usual.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs
A few more "safe" indoor kickers are Wil Lutz (vs. Ravens), Mason Crosby (@ Lions), Matt Prater (vs. Seahawks), and Nick Folk (@ Colts). If you just want to avoid any potential weather worries, grab one of these guys and move on with your life.
WEEK 9 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Ultimately, handicapping kicker remains mostly a fool's errand, especially in a week where six key guys are off. When in doubt, avoid the elements and find someone with a big leg. Preferably, they're on a decent offense against a mediocre defense, but any kicker can pay off in any given week, so trust your gut and hope for the best.
WEEK 9 DFS: Best stacks | Best values
We'll be updating our kicker rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes.
WEEK 9 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Fantasy Kicker Rankings Week 9: Who to start, sit in fantasy football
Rank Player
1 Justin Tucker, Ravens @ Saints
2 Younghoe Koo, Falcons vs. Chargers
3 Jason Myers, Seahawks @ Cardinals
4 Daniel Carlson, Raiders @ Jaguars
5 Evan McPherson, Bengals vs. Panthers
6 Jake Elliott, Eagles @ Texans
7 Harrison Butker, Chiefs vs. Titans
8 Tyler Bass, Bills @ Jets
9 Ryan Succop, Buccaneers vs. Rams
10 Riley Patterson, Jaguars vs. Raiders
11 Eddy Pineiro, Panthers @ Bengals
12 Wil Lutz, Saints vs. Ravens
13 Randy Bullock, Titans @ Chiefs
14 Greg Zuerlein, Jets vs. Bills
15 Mason Crosby, Packers @ Lions
16 Matt Gay, Rams @ Buccaneers
17 Matt Prater, Cardinals vs. Seahawks
18 Ka'imi Fairbairn, Texans vs. Eagles
19 Jason Sanders, Dolphins @ Bears
20 Nick Folk, Patriots vs. Colts
21 Chase McLaughlin, Colts @ Patriots
22 Cameron Dicker, Chargers @ Falcons
23 Cairo Santos, Bears vs. Dolphins
24 Greg Joseph, Vikings @ Commanders
25 Michael Badgley, Lions vs. Packers
26 Joey Slye, Commanders vs. Vikings
Week 9 kicker fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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