Nobody seems to pour hours into their fantasy football kicker rankings, and it makes sense, given the volatility of their scoring. Kickers’ production can still swing a matchup, however, and that means you need to take the selection process seriously.
What does that look like? You need to stay on top of the weather, check drive extension rates (yards per play on first down, third-down conversion rates, etc.), and have a feel for how each team likes to deploy their kicker. Are they likely to go for it on fourth down at the 35-yard line, or do they trust their man from 50+ yards?
All of this has been taken into account with my latest kicker rankings for the Divisional Round of the 2023-2024 NFL playoffs.
Which Kicker Should You Start in Fantasy Football?
Of course, every league will offer tweaks (player limits per team, unique scoring bonuses, etc.), so use this as a guide more than anything. Or, hit me up on social media with your specific situation, and I’ll advise as best I can.
MORE: Soppe’s Divisional Round Rankings — QB | RB | WR | TE | DST
Before I get to the positional rankings, many fantasy managers may take part in “rest of playoff” formats and/or are just curious as to how I see the remainder of the postseason playing out. Naturally, projecting results is a big part of doing the rankings, so these picks factor into my rankings.
AFC Playoff Picks
- Saturday: Baltimore Ravens over Houston Texans
- Sunday: Kansas City Chiefs over Buffalo Bills
Conference Champion: Ravens
NFC Playoff Picks
Saturday: San Francisco 49ers over Green Bay Packers
Sunday: Tampa Bay Buccaneers over Detroit Lions
Conference Champion: 49ers
Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings
1) Justin Tucker | BAL (vs. HOU)
2) Jake Moody | SF (vs. GB)
3) Chase McLaughlin | TB (at DET)
4) Michael Badgley | DET (vs. TB)
5) Harrison Butker | KC (at BUF)
6) Tyler Bass | BUF (vs. KC)
7) Anders Carlson | GB (at SF)
8) Ka’imi Fairbairn | HOU (at BAL)
Top Kicker To Start in the Divisional Round
Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens (vs. HOU)
One of the greatest to ever do it, Justin Tucker has converted on 48 of 51 (94.1%) of his field-goal attempts at home over the past three seasons and has never missed a PAT in the playoffs (29 of 29).
The Ravens opened the week with an implied total of 27.5 points — the second-highest on the slate (49ers — 29.75) — and given his track record of consistency, that sort of offensive optimism lands Tucker atop my Divisional Round rankings.
MORE: FREE Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer
Tucker has struggled from distance this season, but the confidence this team has in their ace hasn’t wavered.
Jake Moody is a strong option, given the point expectancy for San Francisco and the pedigree, but in my opinion, the 49ers are more likely to trust their loaded offense to make a play with the game on the line than their rookie kicker — something that gives me just enough pause when considering him for the top spot.