You’ve been there. It’s Monday night. You are down by nine points. Your opponent is done, and you have nothing left but a kicker.
Most people think this is where the season goes to die. They treat the kicker spot like an afterthought, a literal box to be checked in the 15th round. But honestly, if you aren't looking at the math behind the leg, you’re basically just leaving money on the table. In 2025, the kicker landscape shifted in ways nobody really predicted. Justin Tucker, the literal GOAT, ended up released by Baltimore and suspended after a career-worst 2024 where he missed eight field goals. It was wild.
If you want to win, you have to stop drafting based on name recognition. You need to draft based on offensive stagnation and dome schedules.
The Best Fantasy Football Kickers This Year
Right now, Brandon Aubrey is the undisputed king. He isn't just a kicker; he’s a volume monster. He led the league in attempts back-to-back years. Why? Because the Dallas Cowboys move the ball but love to stall out. Last season, he missed seven tries—which sounds bad—but he had 47 attempts. That volume is a safety net that most other players simply don't have.
Then you have Matt Gay. People sort of ignored him after he moved to the Washington Commanders, but that was a mistake. Washington ended up in high-scoring shootouts all year. When a team scores and allows 390+ points, the kicker is going to be busy.
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Dome Dwellers and Weather Proofing
Let’s talk about Jake Bates in Detroit. If you play in a league where weather matters—and it usually does in December—Bates is gold. He plays in a dome. His away schedule for the fantasy playoffs? Also domes. You don't have to worry about a 30-mph gust in Buffalo ruining your championship.
- Brandon Aubrey (DAL): The ceiling is sky-high because of his 50-yard accuracy.
- Jake Bates (DET): Purely a volume and environment play.
- Harrison Butker (KC): He’s steady, even if the Chiefs' offense hasn't been the "score 40 every game" machine it used to be.
- Cameron Dicker (LAC): Jim Harbaugh is conservative. That's a dream for Dicker. Harbaugh will take the three points every single time.
Why Red Zone Struggles Are Your Best Friend
It feels weird to root against a team's success when you own their kicker. But you sort of have to. You want an offense that is "efficiently inefficient." They need to be good enough to get to the 30-yard line, but bad enough to fail on 3rd and 7.
Look at the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024. Chris Boswell was the K1 because they couldn't score a touchdown to save their lives. In 2025, that changed a bit because Aaron Rodgers joined the team. Rodgers is historically too good in the red zone. That’s why Boswell’s value actually dipped this year despite him being a great real-life kicker.
Conversely, Ka’imi Fairbairn in Houston is a guy most people sleep on. DeMeco Ryans is one of the most conservative fourth-down decision-makers in the league. Fairbairn averaged 2.5 attempts in wins. That is consistent, boring, beautiful production.
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The Justin Tucker "Fall From Grace"
We have to mention it. Seeing Tucker hit only 73.3% of his kicks in 2024 was jarring. It was the second-worst rate for anyone with 30 attempts. Baltimore eventually moved on to the rookie Tyler Loop.
Loop is interesting because he has a massive leg—he was hitting 70-yarders in the preseason—but he’s a rookie. Rookies are volatile. If you're chasing the "Top Fantasy Football Kickers" of the past, you're going to lose. You have to chase the current situation.
Strategy for Your Draft
Don't be the person who takes a kicker in the 10th round. It’s a waste.
Wait. Just wait.
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The gap between the K1 and the K12 is often smaller than the gap between a RB1 and a RB2. However, if you can snag Aubrey or Dicker in the second-to-last round, do it. If not, just stream the position. Look for guys playing in Vegas, Detroit, or New Orleans. Domes eliminate the variables.
Also, check the spread. If a team is a 7-point favorite and the over/under is high, that kicker is likely going to get at least three or four scoring opportunities. It isn't rocket science, but most managers are too busy worrying about their WR3 to notice that Cairo Santos is quietly putting up 12 points a week because the Bears' offense is "kinda" improved but still hits a wall in the red zone.
What to Look for Each Week
- Projected Team Totals: High scoring usually means more PATs and FGs.
- Wind Speed: Anything over 15 mph is a red flag. Move on.
- Coaching Tendencies: Does the coach go for it on 4th and 2? If yes, avoid that kicker.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Roster
Check your waiver wire for Younghoe Koo or Chase McLaughlin. Both have shown high-floor consistency this season. If you are currently holding a kicker on a team with a "red zone TD percentage" above 65%, consider swapping them for a kicker on a team that settles for field goals more often. Monitor the weather reports 48 hours before kickoff; if your starter is playing in a blizzard or heavy rain, swap to a dome kicker immediately to secure your floor.
Find the offense that moves the ball but can't finish the job. That’s where your fantasy championship is won.