Fantasy Football Trend…. Kickers Can Wait

by, James McPartlin, Vice President- Editor

Last year I read about this tactic somewhere and was the only person in my fantasy leagues to use it. This year four managers, including myself, also used this tactic. Every smart manager knows to wait till the final two rounds to select a defense and kicker. In my opinion, selecting a kicker isn’t necessary.

The best fantasy drafts occur in between training camp and the preseason, around late July and early August. By not drafting a kicker, you have an extra spot for a guy that may win a position battle in training camp or during the preseason. Then as week one approaches, drop your least valuable bench player and pick up a kicker.

Since 2005 the top kickers have been Neil Rackers, Robbie Gould, and Mason Crosby, depending on your league’s scoring system. Regardless, none of these kickers were drafted in our experts league. The point is, if you neglected to select a kicker in your draft, the year’s best kicker is probably still available because of how unpredictable kickers are. With that extra spot, you also put yourself in a position to draft another breakout rookie or sleeper. 

Bottom Line: Hold the kicker, Draft the sleeper.