We're creeping closer to the beginning of the 2020 NFL Season.
With the busiest weekend for fantasy football drafts fast approaching, let's dive into some Kicker tiers for 2020.
I personally do no draft a kicker or a defense until the last three rounds of any of my fantasy drafts. I tend to stream defenses weekly, or I will pair two defenses together for a season and play the better match-up. When drafting, don't spend any more than one draft pick on a kicker and one on a defense. Drafting more than one is a massive mistake, and could keep a high ceiling player off your roster that could help later on in the year.
We've grouped our kickers into tiers, this way during drafts, you can see what options you have left in each tier as managers start drafting them for their teams. Each player/team will be ranked left to right for simplicity. Let's get to it:
Tier 1: Set It & Forget It
Justin Tucker (BAL), Harrison Butker (KC), Greg Zuerlein (DAL), Wil Lutz (NO), Robbie Gould (SF).
You really can't go wrong with any of these kickers in the top tier. Each is going to be part of an elite offense in 2020 with plenty of scoring opportunities. Tucker and Butker are a bit higher than the other 3 just due to how explosive each of their respective offenses are, Zuerlein is kicking in Dallas in 2020 and should get a bit of a boost with kicking indoors for half of his games. Lutz and Gould round out the top five, and both should produce excellent fantasy campaigns in 2020.
Justin Tucker is the #1 Kicker in our rankings for 2020BaltimoreRavens.com
Tier 2: Solid Starters
Matt Gay (TB), Zane Gonzalez (AZ), Younghoe Koo (ATL), Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU), Matt Prater (DET), Dan Bailey (MIN).
You could make the case for Matt Gay being in Tier 1 with the addition of TOm Brady at QB this year in Tampa Bay. I think he'll be overlooked slightly in drafts and could be a great catch as the 6th or 7th kicker off the board. He's a guy I am targeting in redrafts this year. Gonzalaez should benefit from offensive additions and another year under Kyler Murray's belt. Koo and Fairbairn are both in top 10 offenses and should see plenty of opportunities at points. Prater and Bailey are both solid contributors as well in this group.
Tier 3: Match-up Dependent Starters
Michael Badgley (LAC), Joey Slye (CAR), Chris Boswell (PIT), Brandon McManus (DEN), Austin Seibert (CLE), Tyler Bass (BUF), Jason Myers (SEA)
Badgley could be a really nice streamer in 2020 due to the Chargers taking a step back, offensively in my opinion. Joey Slye had several excellent weeks in 2019 with Kyle Allen as his QB in 2019 and should have a chance to repeat in 2020. Austin Seibert could be another diamond in the rough as well with a bounce back campaign for Cleveland's offense. Tyler Bass is a rookie with a massive leg, and he was just handed the starting job in Buffalo for 2020. McManus and Myers will most likely be solid,but not have too many spectacular weeks.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Tier 4: Streamers
Dustin Hopkins (WAS), Greg Joseph (TEN), Eddy Pineiro (CHI), Jason Sanders (MIA), Sam Sloman (LAR), Graham Gano (NYG), Justin Rohrwasser (NE)
Another late round target this year that intrigues me is Rohrwasser from NE. Belicheck & Co. were impressed enough to not sign Gostkowski in the off season and all reports point to Rohrwasser having a very strong training camp to this point. He's a lottery ticket that has top 10 potential. Sam Sloman will take over for the Rams, and if they can return to more of a 2018-like offense, he could be another player that ends the year in the top 10.
Los Angeles Daily News
Tier 5: Desperation Plays
Randy Bullock (CIN), Brett Maher (NYJ), Daniel Carlson (LV), Josh Lambo (JAC).
Very little upside here with any of these last four. Lambo my have some streaming appeal due to Jacksonville playing from behind most of the year, but you can do much better than these players.
