Believe it or not, it is possible to gain an advantage in fantasy football each week with the many streaming kickers who are available on the waiver wire.
Week 10 was a great week for kickers in fantasy football across the board. Ten kickers hit the 10-point threshold, with many more falling just short.
While kickers may seem like a throwaway position to some fantasy players, the truth is that the kicker can give your team a significant advantage on a weekly basis. Last week Will Lutz scored 17 points — a good game for any fantasy player, let alone a kicker. Will Lutz is probably already owned in your league because he is a high-profile kicker on an elite offense. And although you can’t quite expect 17 points weekly from a kicker, it is possible to gain an advantage each week with many kickers who are available on the waiver wire.
[Week 11 Fantasy Football Analysis: See rankings, player to add, players to drop, sleepers, busts and more.]
Most fantasy football players will either draft a kicker and stick with him week in and week out regardless of the results or simply add/drop kickers weekly based on the previous week’s production. However, there is some structure to the randomness of kickers and the following kickers are set up for great fantasy production in week 11.
Mike Badgley (LAC)
I recommended Mike Badgley as a streaming kicker last week, and although he didn’t reach the 10-point threshold I aim for with streaming kickers, he did have a solid outing with 9 fantasy points.
Badgley has kicked in three games for the Chargers this season, and despite having three productive games, he is still less than 10 percent owned. Badgley is lined up for a Week 11 matchup at home against the Broncos, who have been a top 12 matchup for kickers this season. The Chargers are an elite offense averaging 392 yards per game which ranks 8th in the league. However, they rank in the bottom third in red zone offense scoring a touchdown on only 55% of their red zone drives which bodes well for Badgley’s fantasy production.
Badgley has yet to miss a field goal attempt this season and will look to extend that streak against the Broncos on Sunday. Look for Badgley to improve upon his already impressive season with top tier production in week 11.
Cairo Santos (TB)
Santos was picked up by the Buccaneers on Tuesday after they had released Chandler Catanzaro following their Week 10 loss to the Redskins. Therefore, Santos should almost certainly be available on the waiver wire.
The Buccaneers kickers have been a valuable fantasy commodity this season mostly because the team’s defense has been so poor that they are constantly in shootouts. Santos will face a Giants defense that allows a league-high 12 points per game to opposing fantasy kickers. The Giants defense ranks 3rd in the NFL in red zone defense allowing opponents to score a touchdown on only 43% of red zone drives, meaning opponents will usually have to settle for a field goal attempt.
Although the Buccaneers have had a volatile quarterback situation this season, the offense has continued to move the ball up and down the field regardless of who is under center. Combine the Buccaneers effective offensive unit with the Giants’ fantasy friendly defense and Cairo Santos should have a quality debut for his new team on Sunday.
Aldrick Rosas (NYG)
Aldrick Rosas has flown under the fantasy radar this season because the Giants have been so dysfunctional on offense. However, Rosas has yet to miss a field goal attempt, going a perfect 20 for 20 so far this season. Additionally, Rosas has attempted at least 2 field goal attempts in all but one game this year.
Despite these impressive metrics, Rosas is only 3% owned. The Giants have a Week 11 matchup against a very generous Buccaneers defense that is giving up 400 yards per game to opposing offenses. Moving the ball should not be an issue even for the struggling Giants offense. The Giants rank 30th in the league in red zone offense, scoring a touchdown on only 41% of their red zone drives. Rosas should be given plenty of opportunities to kick this Sunday, and given his track record of accuracy, that opportunity should yield great fantasy production.
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