We at Pro Football Network don’t usually discuss fantasy football kickers. But with Week 11 Thursday Night Football fast approaching, the No. 1 fantasy kicker is questionable. So we know some of you are wondering if Nick Folk starts, can he be trusted in our fantasy lineups, or will the injury keep him out?
This matters because the Patriots can score buckets of points tonight against the Falcons. Walking into Sunday with a 14-point kicker means walking tall. So let’s see what the future might hold.
Update 11/18/2021: Nick Folk was not listed as inactive for tonight’s game against the Falcons.
Nick Folk injury update
The Patriots’ final Week 11 injury report lists Folk as questionable with a left knee injury. In case you’re wondering, he kicks with his right leg.
“Well, that’s good,” you say. But here’s the thing — kickers use both legs to kick. I know, right? So it’s not just about Folk’s kicking leg; it’s about his initial step and planting leg.
I just finished watching each of Folk’s made kicks from last season — no amount of research is too much research for PFN readers.
As you would expect from an NFL kicker who’s earned millions of dollars in a career stretching back to the George W. Bush administration, he kicks it the same way every time:
(1) Left leg steps a half-yard ahead
(2) Right leg take a big stride forward
(3) Left leg takes a big stride forward
(4) Left leg plants
(5) Right leg whips back at the knee and powers forward into the ball
Everything about a kicker’s motion requires precision. Discomfort or lack of mobility in either leg can hamper a kicker’s power and accuracy.
Should you start Nick Folk on Thursday Night Football?
If he’s starting, I’d roll with Folk without hesitation. Each week, the Patriots look more and more like a playoff team.
They have nothing to gain by risking a worse injury for one of this year’s top NFL kickers. Folk is a perfect 19-for-19 from less than 50 yards, including 6-for-6 from 40-49 yards. He’s also 3-for-5 from 50+ — one more make from that long range would give him a career-high mark.
New England’s offense allows Folk to thrive
The Patriots have been rolling on offense in recent weeks and are third in time of possession in their last three games, as well as second in third-down conversions. They’re near the league bottom in punts per game (3.1). This is a team that frequently scores, and that’s what you want in a fantasy kicker, as is evidenced by Folk’s dominant fantasy season.
I believe he’s a good bet for 14+ fantasy points if you compete in a league that awards bonus points for longer kicks (e.g., 5 points for 50+ yarders). As long as he’s out there, you won’t need a kicker replacement in Week 11.