While often overlooked, having a reliable kicker makes for a complete fantasy football roster that has that extra juice needed to compete for a championship. Our 2022 fantasy kicker rankings are here to help you accomplish that feat.
Finding a consistent leg on a team that stalls out near the 35-yard line adds up to more fantasy points, which can be the difference between winning and losing a week. Of course, guessing which offenses will ultimately stall out more than others is just that: a guessing game.
2022 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Top 200| Superflex
The key is to draft your kicker based on the teams with the most efficient offenses. Last year, Las Vegas’s Daniel Carlson led all fantasy kickers, amassing 174 total points. The Raiders were near the top third of the league in Warren Sharp’s offensive success rate (11th in NFL), showing a clear link between efficiency and kicker points when a solid kicker is involved. Carlson connected on 93 percent of his kicks (fourth in NFL).
2022 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Top 200 | Superflex
Additionally, five-time All-Pro kicker Justin Tucker was the most accurate kicker from 50-plus yards, connecting on all six of those attempts, highlighted by his 66-yard game-winner. Bengals rookie Evan McPherson led the league with the most 50-plus-yard kicks (9), as the first-year placekicker was a key piece in Cincinnati’s Super Bowl run.
2022 FANTASY SLEEPERS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | One from each team
From a draft strategy standpoint, it’s best to hold off drafting your kicker until the final round. The potential upside you might get from taking a flier on a boom-or-bust wide receiver or a running back handcuff could very well outweigh taking Tucker, McPherson, or Tyler Bass in a preceding round. It’s also always a plus to have a kicker who plays his games indoors or at high altitudes, but that's not a make-or-break criterion, especially early in the year.
2022 AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Overall
Holding onto your kicker during their bye weeks isn’t necessary, as there are always capable legs on the waiver wire throughout the season. When your kicker is your last-round selection, you won’t be giving up much when you drop him. If you want to put that off as long as possible, look for kickers with late byes, like Ryan Succop (Week 11), Matt Prater (Week 13), Younghoe Koo (Week 14), Wil Lutz (Week 14), or Rodrigo Blankenship (Week 14). Those last four are especially interesting since they play in stadiums with roofs.
2022 RANKINGS TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs
Ultimately, kickers do make a difference, but you shouldn't get hung up on them ahead of your draft. There are plenty of other positions and players that are far more important. Focus on them and take whoever is left at kicker in the last round. If your initial kicker doesn’t work out for you, pick up someone else. It’s that simple.
We'll be adjusting these rankings and providing further analysis from now until Week 1. Check back for updates!
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2022 fantasy cheat sheet
2022 Fantasy Kicker Rankings
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Justin Tucker, Ravens |
| 2 | Tyler Bass, Bills |
| 3 | Evan McPherson, Bengals |
| 4 | Matt Gay, Rams |
| 5 | Ryan Succop, Buccaneers |
| 6 | Daniel Carlson, Raiders |
| 7 | Matt Prater, Cardinals |
| 8 | Harrison Butker, Chiefs |
| 9 | Dustin Hopkins, Chargers |
| 10 | Rodrigo Blankenship, Colts |
| 11 | Wil Lutz, Saints |
| 12 | Nick Folk, Patriots |
| 13 | Younghoe Koo, Falcons |
| 14 | Brandon McManus, Broncos |
| 15 | Jake Elliott, Eagles |
| 16 | Jason Sanders, Dolphins |
| 17 | Chris Boswell, Steelers |
| 18 | Robbie Gould, 49ers |
| 19 | Greg Zuerlein, Jets |
| 20 | Brett Maher, Cowboys |
| 21 | Greg Joseph, Vikings |
| 22 | Graham Gano, Giants |
| 23 | Randy Bullock, Titans |
| 24 | Mason Crosby, Packers |
| 25 | Joey Slye, Commanders |
| 26 | Ka'imi Fairbairn, Texans |
| 27 | Cairo Santos, Bears |
| 28 | Cade York, Browns |
| 29 | Jason Myers, Seahawks |
| 30 | Michael Badgley, Jaguars |
| 31 | Austin Seibert, Lions |
| 32 | Eddy Pineiro, Panthers |
As an avid fantasy football enthusiast with a keen eye for the nuances that make a difference in the game, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise to the table. Fantasy football is not just about the star quarterbacks, running backs, or wide receivers; it's about the complete roster, including the often-underappreciated position of kicker. In the realm of fantasy sports, understanding the intricacies of selecting a reliable kicker can indeed be the key to gaining that extra edge needed to compete for a championship.
The article you provided delves into the 2022 fantasy kicker rankings, emphasizing the importance of a consistent kicker for a successful fantasy football roster. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Efficient Offenses and Kicker Performance:
- The article highlights the correlation between efficient offenses and kicker performance. It cites the example of Daniel Carlson from the Las Vegas Raiders, who led all fantasy kickers in the previous year, benefiting from the team's efficiency near the 35-yard line.
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Accuracy and Long-Range Kicks:
- The accuracy and long-range kicking ability of a kicker are crucial factors. Justin Tucker's perfect record on 50-plus-yard kicks and Evan McPherson's league-leading 9 kicks from that range are mentioned as notable examples.
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Draft Strategy:
- The article suggests a strategic approach to drafting kickers. Recommending waiting until the final round to draft a kicker, it advises prioritizing other positions with higher potential upside in preceding rounds.
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Considerations for Kicker Selection:
- The piece touches upon additional factors for kicker selection, such as playing indoors or at high altitudes. While not make-or-break criteria, these considerations can be relevant, especially early in the season.
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Bye Week Planning:
- Managing bye weeks for kickers is discussed. The advice is to not hold onto kickers during their bye weeks, as capable options are usually available on the waiver wire. Kickers with late byes are highlighted as preferable options.
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Flexibility in Kicker Choices:
- The article emphasizes that kickers do make a difference but suggests not getting overly hung up on them. There's an acknowledgment that if your initial kicker choice doesn't perform well, picking up someone else is a simple and effective strategy.
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2022 Fantasy Kicker Rankings:
- The article concludes with a list of fantasy kicker rankings for the 2022 season, providing a comprehensive overview of the top kickers to consider in drafts.
In summary, the article provides valuable insights into the often-overlooked world of fantasy football kickers, offering a strategic approach to drafting and managing this position for a competitive advantage in the quest for a championship.
