You just watched a kicker drop 19 points in Week 1 and now you're scouring the waiver wire like a hungry hawk. Stop. Seriously. Kicker rankings Week 2 are basically a giant trap if you’re just looking at who had the biggest leg four days ago. Fantasy football is a game of opportunity, not just talent, and kicking is the most volatile piece of that puzzle.
If you're still holding onto a guy because he was "automatic" in 2024, you might be missing the shift. The 2025 season has already shown us that the elite tier is shifting. Justin Tucker isn't the undisputed king anymore. Brandon Aubrey is basically a cheat code. But even the best leg in the world can’t overcome a head coach who goes for it on every 4th-and-3.
The Elite Tier: No-Brainers and New Kings
Brandon Aubrey is the sun that the rest of the kicking world orbits right now. The Dallas Cowboys are facing the New York Giants in Week 2, and honestly, it’s a dream scenario. The Giants' defense is usually "bend-don't-break" enough to stall drives in the red zone, which is exactly where Aubrey feasts. He’s already proven he can hit from 65+ yards like it's a chip shot. If you have him, you start him. Period.
Then there’s Ka’imi Fairbairn. People always sleep on the Texans' kicker, but the guy finished 2025 as a top-three scorer for a reason. Houston is playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week. It’s a matchup that screams "high volume." Both offenses can move the ball, but Tampa’s red zone defense is pesky. That usually results in a lot of "three points instead of six" situations.
- Brandon Aubrey (DAL) vs. NYG: Indoors, elite leg, high-powered offense.
- Ka’imi Fairbairn (HOU) vs. TB: Consistency is his middle name at this point.
- Harrison Butker (KC) vs. PHI: The Chiefs vs. Eagles game is going to be a shootout. Even if the weather at Arrowhead gets a bit humid, Butker is a safe bet for at least three XPs and two FGs.
- Jake Bates (DET) vs. CHI: Playing in a dome in Detroit. The Lions' offense is a juggernaut, and Bates has the distance to bail them out of long-distance situations.
The Weather Watch: Miami’s Sloppy Sunday
If you're looking at kicker rankings Week 2, you have to look at the sky. Specifically the sky over Miami. The New England Patriots are heading down to face the Dolphins, and the forecast is looking... well, kinda gross. We’re talking a 40% chance of rain showers and potential thunderstorms right around kickoff.
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Rain isn't always a death sentence for kickers, but wind is. If that Miami wind starts swirling, guys like Riley Patterson or whoever the Pats are rolling out (Andres Borregales is the name to watch there) become huge risks. A wet ball is heavy. A wet field is slippery. One plant-foot slip and your fantasy week is cooked.
Why You Should Be Careful With Justin Tucker
It feels like heresy to say, but Justin Tucker is a "sit" candidate for some people this week. The Ravens are playing the Browns. Cleveland’s defense is nasty, and Baltimore has been struggling to find a rhythm. More importantly, Tucker’s accuracy from 50+ has actually been human lately. He went 1-for-7 from deep to start the 2024 stretch and the 2025 stats show he's hovering around 85%—which is great for most people, but not "Tucker-great."
Streaming Options: The "Good Offense, Bad Red Zone" Strategy
Streaming kickers is an art form. You want a team that moves the ball between the 20s but hits a wall inside the 10-yard line.
Chase McLaughlin (TB) is the poster child for this. The Bucs are playing Houston on Monday night. It’s a massive stage, and the Bucs love to settle for field goals. McLaughlin was top-tier in 2025 in terms of 50-yarders made. He’s usually available in about 40% of leagues. Grab him.
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Matt Gay (WAS) is another one. Under Dan Quinn, the Commanders have shown a massive propensity to kick. Last year they were 4th in the league in FG attempts. They’re playing the Packers this week. Green Bay's defense is stout, which usually means the Commanders will be stalling out around the 30-yard line. That is Matt Gay territory.
The Rookie Factor
Keep an eye on Will Reichard in Minnesota. The kid was an All-Pro as a rookie in 2025 for a reason. He’s playing the Falcons in a dome this week. Domes are a kicker’s best friend. No wind, no rain, just pure physics. Reichard hit 94% of his kicks last season. If he’s on your wire, he shouldn’t be.
Hidden Metrics: The Turf and the Altitude
Most people ignore where the game is being played. That's a mistake.
- The New Orleans Saints are hosting the 49ers in the Superdome. It’s fast turf. Blake Grupe (or whoever wins that job) is a sneaky start because that ball travels differently in the Big Easy.
- Denver vs. Indianapolis: Wil Lutz is playing at Lucas Oil Stadium (another dome!). While he isn't in the thin air of Mile High, playing indoors against a Colts defense that is middle-of-the-pack is a recipe for a 10-point floor.
Practical Steps for Your Week 2 Lineup
Don't overthink it, but don't be lazy either. Kicking points are often the difference between a 1-1 start and an 0-2 hole.
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Check your kicker’s game location first. If they are outdoors in a stadium known for wind (like Pittsburgh or Chicago), and there's a dome option on the waiver wire, make the switch. Jake Bates and Cameron Dicker are the gold standards for dome consistency right now.
Secondly, look at the Vegas totals. You want kickers in games with an Over/Under of 45 or higher. More points overall usually means more opportunities for your guy to trot out there. The Eagles-Chiefs game is the high-water mark for Week 2; both Jake Elliott and Harrison Butker are locked-in starters regardless of the weather.
Lastly, stop holding onto a kicker through their struggles just because of their name. In 2026, the gap between the "best" and "average" kicker is narrower than ever. If your guy missed two short ones in Week 1, cut him. There is zero room for sentimentality in the K-slot. Focus on the high-volume offenses like Dallas, Detroit, and Kansas City, and you'll usually end up on the right side of the scoreboard.