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 3.
Graham Gano, Carolina Panthers
FanDuel Price: $4,800
The Carolina Panthers' offense hasn't been in sync yet this season, but their matchup with the New Orleans Saints in Week 3 -- who owns the worst defense in the NFL -- should get the blood flowing. The Saints have given up the second-most points per game (31.5) while their 49.45 Adjusted Defensive Net Expected Points (NEP) ranks dead last.
Vegas sees the game leaning heavily in the Panthers' favor as well -- Carolina has the third-highest implied point total (26.5) on the Sunday slate and are 5.5-point favorites. Our models give them a 63.1% likelihood of pulling out the win, leaving plenty of kicking opportunities for Graham Gano.
The Panthers' kicker has been perfect so far this year, nailing all six of his field goal attempts and leaving him tied for the most makes in the NFL. His consistency plus the super matchup makes him a top kicker to target in Week 3.
Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers
FanDuel Price: $4,800
After an underwhelming season opener for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the offense bounced back in a 26-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings last week. With the offense clicking, Chris Boswell saw a heavy workload.
The kicker was 2-for-2 on extra points and 4-for-4 on field goals, good for 16 FanDuel points. The Steelers' matchup in Week 3 should allow more of the same from the third-year kicker.
With a meeting with the lowly Chicago Bears on tap, the Steelers not only own the fifth-highest implied point total (26.0) but have the third-biggest spread (-7.0). If that wasn't enough, we should also note that the Bears have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing kickers (24) through two games, including 14 to Nick Folk in Week 2. We couldn't ask for a better scenario from our kicking options than Boswell's this week.
Ryan Succup, Tennessee Titans
FanDuel Price: $4,500
Ryan Succop has been one of the most consistent kickers in fantasy this year. That alone would make him a player to target for your kicker slot in DFS, but add in the bonus of costing the minimum in Week 3 and it may be hard to pass him up.
Of the kickers who have played two games, Succop is second to only Giorgio Tavecchio with an average of 13.5 FanDuel points per game. The veteran kicker has attempted and made the most field goals in the NFL so far, going 6-for-7. With Week 3's opponent, the Seattle Seahawks, having a bend but not break defense -- three field goal attempts allowed in Week 2 -- Succop will get his kicks in despite the lower projected point total.
Not expected to be a high-scoring affair (42.5 over/under), the Tennessee Titans are favoed by 3.0 points while also giving them the 13th-highest implied point total (22.75). Not ideal, but for a player costing the minimum, there is plenty of value to be had with Succop.