3 FanDuel Kickers to Target in Week 9

In fantasy football, every point counts, and points are the only way you can win.

You need to maximize output from each and every player on your roster, and "punting" a position is never truly ideal. Sometimes in season-long leagues, you simply are stuck without any better options than who is on your roster already, but in daily fantasy football, where you are in control of every player you pick, there are no excuses.

So when you're making your lineups on FanDuel, don't leave kicker for last and choose whichever minimum-salary player fits in.

Move the position higher up on your priority list and learn to love the kicker. Start by targeting these three guys in Week 9.

Cairo Santos, Kansas City Chiefs

FanDuel Price: $4,700

The stretch of promising matchups continues for the Kansas City Chiefs, who host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. The Chiefs are the largest favorite of the Week 9 main slate at 9 points and own an implied team total of 27.5 points, tied for third-best of the entire weekend. You'll have to monitor the winds, which are projected to be around eight miles per hour, but that shouldn't downgrade Cairo Santos -- who has had at least 9 FanDuel points in three straight games -- too much.

Our algorithm sees the Chiefs winning this game 82.8% of the time. That should allow Santos and the Chiefs to settle for field goals, especially with an iffy running back situation given Jamaal Charles' placement on injured reserve and Spencer Ware's uncertain status for Sunday, plus the "downgrade" from Alex Smith to Nick Foles at quarterback.

Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers

FanDuel Price: $4,700

I could have basically copied and pasted the Santos analysis for Mason Crosby because of how close their situations are. Crosby's Green Bay Packers host the Indianapolis Colts as 7-point favorites with an over/under of 54, giving them an implied team total of 30.5 points. Wowza.

Our algorithm gives the Pack about an 84% chance to win, and the Packers have a shaky running back situation, too, just like the Chiefs. The wind is pretty mild, so Crosby checks just about every box this week and is probably the safer option of the two.

Josh Lambo, San Diego Chargers

FanDuel Price: $4,600

I always try to recommend a kicker who costs $4,500, but I just can't do that this week with any confidence. Instead, save an extra $100 somehow and look to Josh Lambo. His San Diego Chargers are 5-point favorites with a 26-point implied team total over the visiting Tennessee Titans. Our algorithm gives them a 61.9% chance to win, and the spread and team total are in his favor.

The wind should be mild, the weather should be clear, and the Chargers should win. That's why Lambo is the top projected value of the week, per our projections.