2025 Fantasy Football: Kicker and DST Draft Strategy

10 months agoUS
2025 Fantasy Football: Kicker and DST Draft StrategySource: cbssports.com
Navigating the kicker and defense/special teams (DST) positions in fantasy football can be tricky. While many leagues are moving away from kickers, understanding how to approach these late-round picks can give you a competitive advantage. The key is to focus on when to draft these positions, rather than who.

Key Insights

Target kickers and DSTs in the last two rounds of your draft.

Prioritize early-season schedules when selecting these positions.

Consider streaming kickers and DSTs based on weekly matchups.

Identify potential breakout kickers with late-round ADP.

An improved offense can greatly improve a kicker's fantasy value, so target kickers that are on the upswing.

Don't overvalue name recognition or past performance; focus on current opportunities and matchups.

In-Depth Analysis

Late-Round Kicker Targets

When drafting kickers, aim for those with ADPs (Average Draft Position) outside the top 168 picks, allowing you to select them in the final two rounds of a standard 12-team league. Here are a few names to consider:

Chase McLaughlin (TB): Finished as K6 last year, with consistent performance and a favorable Week 1 matchup against the Falcons. Last year, McLaughlin had 24 fantasy points in two games against the division rivals.

Chris Boswell (PIT): Ended last season as K1, demonstrating high accuracy and a Week 1 game against the Jets, who allowed significant fantasy points to kickers last season. The Steelers face the New York Jets in Week 1, who surrendered 10.6 fantasy points per game to kickers last season, including 13 to Boswell in their Week 7 matchup.

Cam Little (JAC): Displayed a strong finish to his rookie season and faces the Panthers in Week 1, who surrendered the most fantasy points per game to kickers last season (11.1).

Daniel Carlson (LV): With changes to the Raiders' coaching staff and offensive personnel, Carlson could bounce back as a top-five kicker.

Will Reichard (MIN): Showed promise on a points-per-game basis and benefits from a Vikings team expected to be in scoring position often.

Jason Myers (SEA): A consistent performer with a track record of finishing as a top-12 kicker. Last season, he was the K12, averaging 7.8 fantasy points per game.

Top Kicker Tiers for 2025

Tier 1

Brandon Aubrey (DAL)

Harrison Butker (KC)

Chris Boswell (PIT)

Cameron Dicker (LAC)

Tier 2

Ka’imi Fairbairn (HOU)

Jake Moody (SF)

Wil Lutz (DEN)

Cam Little (JAC)

Tier 3

Chase McLaughlin (TB)

Jake Bates (DET)

Younghoe Koo (ATL)

Tyler Loop (BAL)

Jason Sanders (MIA)

Jake Elliott (PHI)

Tyler Bass (BUF)

Matt Gay (WAS)

Tier 4

Matthew Wright (CAR)

Daniel Carlson (LV)

Jason Myers (SEA)

Evan McPherson (CIN)

Chad Ryland (ARI)

Cairo Santos (CHI)

FAQs

Should I draft a kicker early?

No, kickers are highly replaceable and should be targeted in the final rounds.

What is more important, talent or schedule?

Early in the season, prioritize favorable schedules, as kicker performance can be unpredictable.

How do I find a breakout kicker?

Look for kickers on teams with improved offenses or conservative coaching, giving them more field goal opportunities.

Key Takeaways

Drafting kickers and DSTs should be an afterthought in the late rounds of your draft.

Focus on early-season matchups and potential opportunities for field goal attempts.

Don't be afraid to stream these positions based on weekly matchups.

Target undervalued kickers with potential for increased scoring opportunities.

Discussion

Do you agree with these kicker rankings? Which late-round kicker are you targeting this year? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!

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