3 FanDuel Kickers to Target in Week 2
Kickers. Love 'em or hate 'em, they are a part of the game. Even in fantasy football.
While you may be tempted to do so, don't leave the position for last when building your FanDuel lineups. Just like you do with the rest of your roster, maximize your squad's potential by spending the extra minute and finding out the best options out there at kicker.
It's time to stop "punting" the spot and start giving the lonesome kicker, the attention he deserves.
The following are the top-three kickers we are targeting in Week 2.
Giorgio Tavecchio, Oakland Raiders
FanDuel Price: $4,700
As we talked about in last week's piece, we should be looking for kickers on high-scoring teams who are expected to dominate their opponent when it comes to DFS. In Week 2, the Oakland Raiders fit that description perfectly.
The Silver and Black own the second-highest implied point total of the week (28.5), and they are considered virtual locks to win by Vegas with a 13.5-point spread in their favor over the hapless New York Jets. Our algorithms agree, giving the Raiders an 83.1% win probability, the highest of any team in Week 2.
In case you were unaware, doing the kicking for the Raiders this season is Giorgio Tavecchio. In place of the injured Sebastian Janikowski, the rookie from Milan was brilliant in his NFL debut versus the Tennessee Titans, splitting the uprights on all 4 of field goal attempts, including 2 from 50-plus yards away.
Being an unknown may be a bonus for those in need of a contrarian play. Tavecchio is not likely to be owned as much as the elite as the elite (and more expensive) kicking options, Justin Tucker and Stephen Gostkowski, who both also have positive matchups this week.
Blair Walsh, Seattle Seahawks
FanDuel Price: $4,600
The only team that can rival the Raiders for 'lock of the week' status are the Seattle Seahawks, who the odds makers blessed with a 13.5-point spread over the San Francisco 49ers. We think they'll win 78.8% of the time, as well. While the over/under of 43 may be low, take comfort in knowing that they own an implied point total of 28.25, the third-highest output of the week.
Seattle finished short of the end zone plenty of times last season -- their 37 field goal attempts tied them with the Atlanta Falcons for sixth most in the NFL. The Seahawks have a different kicker in 2017, but have gotten the same results so far with Blair Walsh. He attempted three field goals and made all of them in Week 1 versus the Green Bay Packers.
One of the lower-priced kicking options out there, adding Walsh to your kicker slot will allow you the flexibility to invest those precious dollars elsewhere.
Phil Dawson, Arizona Cardinals
FanDuel Price: $4,500
Costing just the minimum salary on FanDuel, Phil Dawson is an excellent plug-and-play kicker this week in order to save a few bucks.
The Arizona Cardinals were all out of sorts versus the Detroit Lions in Week 1, but get the perfect cure for what ails them in a matchup with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2. After the Colts gave up 46 points to the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday, you can't blame Vegas for giving the Cards an implied point total of 25.75, despite having to place their star running back on injured reserve.
Arizona is also a heavy favorite, owning a 7.5-point spread and a 62.9% win probability, according our algorithms. That's something we like to see from our kickers.
