The last thing you should be doing in Week 17 is stressing about which kicker to start. The rule of thumb in any start 'em, sit 'em decision at kicker is to go with the guy in the better offense. Then, you take leg strength and accuracy into account. Even those measures don't guarantee picking the right player at the position, but our Week 17 fantasy kicker rankings will look to identify studs, sleepers, and busts at the position, nonetheless.
Weather will always be a big factor in choosing a good kicker, especially at this time of the year, so if you're looking for a safe kicker, target one of the guys kicking indoors. That would include the likes of Rodrigo Blankenship (vs. Jaguars), Matt Prater (vs. Vikings), Matt Gay (vs. Cardinals), Stephen Gostkowski (@ Texans), Dan Bailey (@ Lions), Ka'imi Fairbairn (vs. Titans), and Mike Nugent (@ Rams).
WEEK 17 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST
If you're worried less about the weather, Daniel Carlson (@ Broncos) is playing at Mile High Stadium, so he and Brandon McManus will each have a chance to make some long kicks in the high altitude. Younghoe Koo (@ Buccaneers) and Ryan Succop (vs. Falcons) both get to play in Tampa Bay, so that could end up being a warm enough game for them to find success during.
Kickers are so hit-or-miss that it's best to just trust your gut at the position. If that's sticking with the guy that got you this far, great. Go for it. If that involves taking a chance at the position and going with a guy like Dustin Hopkins (@ Eagles), that's fine too. Just don't stress too much about kicker decisions. They are the most random position in fantasy football, and so long as your guy doesn't completely lay an egg, you'll be fine.
WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST
NOTE: We'll continue to update our kicker rankings throughout the week, so check back for updates.
Week 17 Fantasy Kicker Rankings
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Justin Tucker, BAL @ CIN |
| 2 | Daniel Carlson, LV @ DEN |
| 3 | Harrison Butker, KC vs. LAC |
| 4 | Rodrigo Blankenship, IND vs. JAX |
| 5 | Matt Prater, DET vs. MIN |
| 6 | Brandon McManus, DEN vs. LV |
| 7 | Wil Lutz, NO @ CAR |
| 8 | Jason Sanders, MIA @ BUF |
| 9 | Younghoe Koo, ATL @ TB |
| 10 | Joey Slye, CAR vs. NO |
| 11 | Tyler Bass, BUF vs. MIA |
| 12 | Mason Crosby, GB @ CHI |
| 13 | Graham Gano, NYG vs. DAL |
| 14 | Dustin Hopkins, WAS @ PHI |
| 15 | Ryan Succop, TB vs. ATL |
| 16 | Matt Gay, LAR vs. ARI |
| 17 | Nick Folk, NE vs. NYJ |
| 18 | Robbie Gould, SF vs. SEA |
| 19 | Greg Zuerlein, DAL @ NYG |
| 20 | Jake Elliott, PHI vs. WAS |
| 21 | Stephen Gostkowski, TEN @ HOU |
| 22 | Jason Myers, SEA @ SF |
| 23 | Aldrick Rosas, JAX @ IND |
| 24 | Cairo Santos, CHI vs. GB |
| 25 | Matthew Wright, PIT @ CLE |
| 26 | Ka’imi Fairbairn, HOU vs. TEN |
| 27 | Dan Bailey, MIN @ DET |
| 28 | Michael Badgley, LAC @ KC |
| 29 | Sam Ficken, NYJ @ NE |
| 30 | Mike Nugent, ARI @ LAR |
| 31 | Cody Parkey, CLE vs. PIT |
| 32 | Austin Seibert, CIN vs. BAL |
