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 10.
Matt Prater, Detroit Lions
FanDuel Price: $5,100
It's safe to say that Matt Prater has proved himself to be an elite fantasy kicker at this point in the year. He currently ranks fifth in total FanDuel points (86) and field goal attempts (21) -- including a league-high eight from 50-plus yards out. In the last two weeks, due to the Detroit Lions' inability to punch the ball into the end zone, Prater has attempted nine field goals, finishing with an average of 15.5 fantasy points in the two games. With a favorable matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 10, Prater will continue to be a top tier kicking option.
The Lions are massive 13.0-point favorites and own the second-highest implied point total of the week (28.25), setting the foundation for Prater to see a favorable game script. Add in Cleveland giving up 31 FanDuel points to kickers their last two games -- 16 to Kai Forbath and 15 to Ryan Succop -- and Prater will be well worth the money.
Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers
FanDuel Price: $4,800
The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense has had its fair share of struggles. Despite all their weapons, they rank just 11th in total yards and 20th in points per game. The unit's disappointing play has hindered Chris Boswell's production, leaving him 15th among kickers with 9.2 FanDuel points per game. Even with an overall record of mediocrity, Boswell has been successful when given a chance, connecting on 90% of his field goals tries. He has also posted the sixth-highest single-game kicking performance of 2017 when he booted 5 field goals and 2 extra points for 19 FanDuel points in Week 7.
Pittsburgh's Week 10 opponent should open things up for their offense -- the Indianapolis Colts have the worst defense in the league including where it matters most, which is points allowed (28.4). The Colts sit bottom three in field goals and extra points allowed, leaving opposing kickers scoring the third-most FanDuel points per game in the league. The Steelers are also heavy-favorites (10.5 points) and own the fourth-highest implied point total of the week, providing Boswell with the ideal formula for fantasy kicker success.
Chandler Catanazaro, New York Jets
FanDuel Price: $4,600
To the shock of everybody, the New York Jets' offense has been soaring over the last three weeks, averaging 27.3 points per game. Chandler Catanzaro and company should continue to fly high in Week 10 as they have a date with the league's 28th-ranked defense in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa has allowed 24.8 points per game overall, tied for seventh-most, with opposing kickers attempting seven field goals in the last three games.
Tampa's offense will also be hamstrung as well since they'll be without quarterback Jameis Winston (shoulder injury) and Mike Evans (suspension). An expected turnover-prone and ineffective Bucs offense led by Ryan Fitzpatrick will be a bonus for the Jets' O, leaving them with short fields to work with. Catanzaro, who has averaged 3.0 field goal attempts the last two games, will be in line for a busy day, especially with the New York being 2.5-point road favorites. At $4,600, he is also one of the more economical options, allowing you to splurge elsewhere.
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Dale Redman is not a FanDuel employee. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.