Kickers can be frustrating. They are completely unpredictable when it comes to fantasy scoring because they are entirely dependent on something that is outside of their own control, the offense putting them in a position to kick.
Outside of the Justin Tucker owner, most teams will add/drop kickers based on perceived matchups. However, most fantasy players will simply look for a kicker on a high-scoring offense or a kicker facing a poor defense when making their kicker selection. While this sounds like a solid strategy in theory, if the offense is so good that they are always scoring touchdowns, the kicker will be limited to extra-point attempts which will only result in 1 point.
One strategy that I have found successful when looking for a fantasy football kicker is to look for teams with a good offense, but that struggles in the red zone. An additional strategy that I have found is to target the kicker going against a team defense that has a “bend don’t break” defensive philosophy that allows teams to move the ball but is great in the red zone.
The jackpot is to find a kicker on a struggling red zone offense going against a great red-zone defense. Following this strategy, the following kickers could be good streaming options for Week 8 in fantasy football.
Week 8 Streaming Kickers
Tyler Bass (BUF)
When looking for a streaming kicker I will usually try to select players available in at least 50% of leagues. Bass is only available in about 30% of leagues, however, with the Bills coming off of a bye week you may get lucky and find him available in your league thanks to an owner who did not want to carry two kickers last week. If he is available scoop him up and enjoy the ride.
Evan McPherson (CIN)
McPherson is my favorite streamer of the week. Owned in just 10% of fantasy leagues, McPherson has a prime matchup against the Jets. The Bengals offense has been on fire the last two weeks and McPherson has benefitted with 11 and 13 fantasy points respectively in those outings without a missed field goal or extra point.
Additionally, despite being arguably the worst team in the league this year, the Jets defense has been respectable in red zone defensive efficiency, ranking just outside the top 10. Look for the Bengals to move the ball with ease against this Jets defense and set McPherson up with some great opportunities for easy points.
Michael Badgley (IND)
Badgley took over the kicking duties for the Colts once Rodrigo Blankenship went on IR with a hip injury. Since taking over the role, Badgley has been perfect, connecting on all his field goal and extra points attempts and is available in 90% of fantasy leagues. The Colts have a great matchup against the Titans this week who are bottom 10 in terms of yards allowed per game but top 10 in red zone defensive efficiency.
Furthermore, the Colts’ offense has been respectable at moving the ball this year but has been second-worst at converting in the red zone, ranking above only the Giants. Look for the Colts to move the ball between the 20s but get stalled in the red zone and afford Badgley plenty of kicking opportunities.
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