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.
Tier 1: Set It & Forget It
San Francisco, Baltimore, Buffalo.
The three top defenses from a year ago remain unchanged going in to 2020. All three remain set it and forget it when it comes to match-ups, although pairing Buffalo with a streaming option might not be a bad idea due their schedule (AFC and NFC West opponents).
Buffalo's defense is primed for another top 5 campaign in 2020.
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Tier 2: Solid Starters
Minnesota, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Chicago, Denver
You could make a case for Minnesota being in tier one, especially with the addition of Yannick Ngakoue to an already deep defensive line. He'll replace Everson Griffin. Pittsburgh's defense carried them to a 9-7 record a year ago with abysmal QB play. With Ben Roethlisberger back healthy for 2020, the Steelers defense can get more aggressive and play less bend but don't break defense. New Orleans pairs a formidable unit with a Top 3 offense. Chicago lost a few players to COVID 19 opt-outs, but should still end as a top 10 unit in fantasy. Denver's defense added a few pieces this year and is a sneaky underdog play.
Tier 3: Match-up Dependent Starters
Philadelphia, Seattle, New England, Kansas City, Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee, Los Angeles Chargers
Philadelphia shored up their secondary by trading for Darius Slay in the off season. Jim Schwartz always has formidable units, and their defensive line will give teams fits this year. Seattle traded two first round picks for Jamal Adams, and he'll wreak havoc for Pete Carroll in the NFC West. New England lost a ton of players to Covid 19 opt outs, but Belicheck knows a thing or two about getting the most out of his players. They're a few notches lower than past years but will surprise more than a few in 2020. Tennessee traded away Jurrel Casey to Denver earlier in the off-season, but Jeffery Simmons will slide in and could be even better. Chargers defense will need to carry them as offensive touchdowns will be tough to come by this year without Philip Rivers.
Jamal Adams could make Seattle a Top 10 defense againSeahawks.com
Tier 4: Streamers
Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Dallas, Cleveland, New York Giants, Houston, Washington, Atlanta.
Not a ton to say about these teams, they won't be starting more than a week or two as a fill in or because of a nice match-up against an inept offense. Indianapolis and Green Bay have some nice schedules based on match-ups and could pair nicely together to stream throughout the year. Houston is an intriguing defense with six match ups against the AFC South.
Tier 5: Desperation Plays
New York Jets, Miami, Jacksonville, Detroit, Arizona, Carolina, Las Vegas, Cincinnati.
These teams should never sniff the daylight of a starting lineup. The only way you'd see them start is in a very deep league (14 teams) or a 2 Defense leagues (Starting 2 DEF). Miami may have some streaming ability depending on how well they have improved with their free agent signings. Detroit could have some streaming ability as well.
The Dolphins spent a lot of money of defense for 2020, but with no offseason work, it's too early to expect much from the unit.LYNNE SLADKY AP
