For whatever reason in most fantasy football leagues kickers are just flat-out undervalued and that’s not fair. I dare you to look at your teams of years past and find a player other than a quarterback that scored more points for you consistently than your kicker. Yet, most of us fill up our bench first before picking a kicker, selecting a guy that’s worth double-digit points 11 or more times a year in the final round.
This afterthought player could be the reason you win a title and avoid an embarrassing tattoo or being publicly shamed by your posse. Don’t take him for granted.
So realizing that I’m going to help you out by guessing the five kickers that will have the most point-productive seasons in the NFL in the upcoming year. As always, you are welcome. And for any kickers out there, I know you are people too. Punters? I got no help for you.
Dan Bailey, Dallas Cowboys
2014: 25 field goals, 56 extra points, averaged 8.19 points per game
Here’s what to like about Bailey when looking back at 2014. He missed two field goals inside 50 yards, total. He only missed two, total outside 50 yards and that was with seven attempts, so not only is he crazy accurate, he’s got plenty of power too. The Cowboys are going to score a lot of points, but with a running game that is suspect until Darren McFadden proves he can stay off the training table, Bailey will likely get a few more shots at threes this season instead ones, bumping that point total up. Maybe significantly.
Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots
2014: 35 field goals, 51 extra points, averaged 9.75 points per game
Gostkowski was the most productive kicker in the NFL last year by a wide margin, finishing at the top of the field goals made list and near the top of the extra point list. While Tom Brady will be absent for the first four games, he’ll be back after that. The Patriots offense may not be as productive, but all that will mean is more chances for Gostkowski to pick up three points. Gostkowski missed just two field goals total last season, but both from a makable range, so that might show up more this season.
Cody Parkey, Philadelphia Eagles
2014: 32 field goals, 54 extra points, averaged 9.38 points per game
If Sam Bradford can stay upright, the Eagles’ offense will be equally productive this season as it was last year, and lest you forget that Mark Sanchez started quite a few of those games. Parkey put up four misses, with all of them coming from makable range, but while there’s been a personnel shakeup on offense, Bradford along with DeMarco Murray in the backfield shouldn’t be a drop off. That is, of course, if Bradford can stay healthy.
Shaun Suisham, Pittsburgh Steelers
2014: 29 field goals, 45 extra points, averaged 8.25 points per game
Why is Suisham ahead of Parkey, Gostkowski and Bailey? Because I think the Steelers will have a better offense than all three of those teams this season. Last year was a breakthrough for Pittsburgh, with Le’Veon Bell becoming a Marshall Faulk-style double threat in the running and passing game. There’s another title or two to be won for the Steelers before Ben Roethlisberger calls it a career and this could be the year it happens. Suisham is going to have plenty of chances to kick extra points and field goals and, if he can hit them in Heinz Field, he can hit them anywhere.
Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers
2014: 27 field goals, 53 extra points, averaged 8.38 points per game
Aaron Rodgers isn’t the only offensive player that will benefit by head coach Mike McCarthy turning over the play-calling duties to Tom Clements. The potent Packers offense, so long hampered by McCarthy’s poor decision-making, cowardice and flat-out bad calls, will no longer hold the team back. Not only should this make the Packers a legitimate Super Bowl contender, but will probably make Crosby the highest-scoring kicker in the league.
