ELITE
Adam Vinatieri - Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have put up more than 120 annual
kicking points for most of the last decade...pretty much
since Peyton Manning joined the league. Although Vinatieri
kicked for just 113 total points in 2006 (missing weeks 3-5
with a groin injury), he remains a virtual lock to put up
130+ in 2007. As long as Vinatieri stays healthy (and no
reason to think otherwise), his point total should increase
with the expected increase in point total for the Colts. AV
doesn't have an extremely strong let, but he's extremely
accurate...and playing most of his games indoors certainly
helps. As the Colts score - so does Vinatieri. And the
defending Superbowl Champs are going to score often.
2006 Stats XP-38/38 FG-25/28 TTL PTs–113
Stephen Gostkowski - New England Patriots
Similar to Vinatieri for one reason, Gostkowski kicks for a
top AFC offense that will score bushel loads of points each
week. But the similarities stop there. Young Gostkowski
struggled the first half of last season...missing 4 of his 6
missed field goals in his first 8 games. And Gostkowski also
missed 4 of his kicks from less than 40 yards. But as 2006
progressed, so did Stephen Gostkowski. The young Pats' kicker
began to groove and looked more like the future of the
kicking game in New England. The Patriots didn't score much
last year, but didn't have alot of scoring weapons on offense
(somehow were still extremely close to another Superbowl
berth). This offseason, however, New England maxed out their
offensive talent with the addition of WRs Randy Moss and
Donte Stallworth. Like the Colts, the Patriots will score
huge points in 2007...and Steven Gostkowski is the benefactor
of being their kicker. The new synthetic turf in New England
should help off-set the nasty Foxboro weather.
2006 Stats XP-43/44 FG-20/26 TTL PTs–103
NOTE: (Before we get to Gould, Graham, Kaeding, and the rest
of the Kickers, our advice is to keep from drafting a kicker
until the end of your fantasy draft. Sure, Vinatieri and
Gostkowski are more likely to score points than some of the
others...but selecting weekly fantasy kickers is a variable
science that alters based upon weather and opponents perhaps
more than any other position. Kickers like Olindo Mare for
New Orleans...not even in my top 10...could surprise and be
huge this year with 11 games being played indoors. And then
there is Matt Stover, Jason Hanson, Josh Scobee, Josh Brown,
etc...all of whom who could finish in the top 5 in scoring by
season's end - and aren't ranked in the preseason top 10.
I'll say this - draft a kicker only when all other positions
have been filled and supported. Other than the top couple of
kickers, the rest don't have enough to distance themselves
and risk jeopardizing a selection prior to the final rounds
of your fantasy draft.)
ROCK SOLID
Robbie Gould - Chicago Bears
17 of Gould's 32 2006 field goals (well over half) came by
week 5. The Chicago Bears were not known as an offensive
powerhouse (and still aren't), but Gould surprisingly led
the league last season with his unexpected 143 kicking
points...which is why FFL owners shouldn't draft kickers in
the early rounds. Even though the Chicago Bears aren't a
huge scoring machine and play often in nasty weather, they
have a great schedule and are still possibly the cream of
the NFC...all relating to points for their offense and their
kicker.
2006 Stats XP-47/47 FG-32/36 TTL PTs–143
Shayne Graham - Cincinnati Bengals
Graham's only 2006 miss less than 40 yds (39) came in the
last game of last season with only 8 seconds left...a kick
that would have put Cincy in the playoffs. But Graham
missed and put the exclamation mark on a tough season for
Bengal fans and players. However, Shayne Graham is a solid
NFL kicker and there should be no reason the Cincy offense
(and Graham) will turn things around. Providing Cincinnati
and head coach Marvin Lewis learned from last season's off-
field issues...the Cincy offense will be one of the NFL's top
scoring machines. If so, Graham will be very productive.
2006 Stats XP-40/42 FG-25/30 TTL PTs–115
Nate Kaeding - San Diego Chargers
15 of 26 total 2006 field goals made by Nate Kaeding were
kicked by week 6. But then, Kaeding made only 3 fgs (on 4
attempts) over the next 6 games (and that's with San Diego
scoring 32+ points in 4 of the games...including a 49 point
game against Cincy with no FG attempts). Kaeding is a very
strong kicker, but hasn't always gotten the chance to kick in
likely FG situations. The departure of Marty Shottenheimer
(who liked to go for it instead of kicking the field goal)
should help. Nate Kaeding kicks in a potent offense (last
season's 58 XPs should be an indication) and will again have
a strong year in 2007. And if not for San Diego's ability to
score in nearly every red zone opportunity, we'd have Kaeding
rated higher than the 5th spot.
2006 Stats XP-58/58 FG-26/29 TTL PTs–136
SOLID
Jason Elam - Denver Broncos
Not only was Jason extremely accurate last season, he was
also very consistent. Fantasy owners with Elam on their
roster didn't experience the "feast or famine" nature of the
typical fantasy kicker. Elam scored at least one field goal
in all 16 games! It's tough to predict, but the change at QB
from Jake Plummer to the stronger arm of Jay Cutler should
help Elam and the Denver offense in 2007. The Denver Broncos
have scored at least 115 team kicking points for the last 10
seasons...a trend which bodes well for fantasy owners looking
at Elam and seeking a consistent kicker in the later rounds.
2006 Stats XP-34/34 FG-27/29 TTL PTs–115
Neil Rackers - Arizona Cardinals
Don't let Rackers' 9 missed field goals scare you...6 were
from 50+ and the other 3 were from from 40+. Surprisingly,
Rackers only hit one FG from 50 or more yards after an
incredible 2005 season - where he nailed 6 of 7 from 50+.
Arizona has several strong weapons on offense and should
score more wins and more points in 2007. Regardless, Neil
Rackers proved that NFL kickers can score primo kicking
points on a team with a lousy record - he's done it for the
past two seasons.
2006 Stats XP-32/32 FG-28/37 TTL PTs–116
Jeff Wilkins - St. Louis Rams
Like Robbie Gould and Nate Kaeding, Jeff Wilkins scored most
of his 2006 field goals early in the season. Wilkins hit 18
of his 32 FGs by number week 5...incling 6 in game 1! All 5
of Wilkins' misses were from 41-48 yards out and 3 of his
scores were from 50+. Wilkins may not achieve the whopping
131 points he kicked last year - but he could...and anything
close should be a very satisfying number for his fantasy
owners. Wilkins kicks better in a dome - which is a good
thing for JW and his owners since the Rams play the bulk of
their games indoors.
2006 Stats XP-35/35 FG-32/37 TTL PTs–131
David Akers - Philadelphia Eagles
Akers seemed to have lost his field goal brilliance over the
last two seasons with just 18/23 last year. And, three of
his 2006 misses came from less than 40 yards (including a 23
yard miss in the last game of season). But, due to Akers'
past success and age of only 32, we can't discount him. The
Philly offense is still formidable (especially with a healthy
Donovan McNabb) and Akers surely can't have already lost his
once incredible leg.
2006 Stats XP-48/48 FG-18/23 TTL PTs–102
Mike Nugent - New York Jets
After shaking early jitters in game 1 of 2006 (field goal
misses of 34 and 30 yards plus a missed extra point), Nugent
missed only 1 FG for the remainder of season - and that was
from 52 in Cleveland. Nugent has a young booming leg and
came on toward the end of season with 16 field goals over his
last 6 games (including makes of 54 and 52 yards). Nugent
will quickly become one of the best kickers in the NFL...it's
just a question of how many chances the Jets give him.
2006 Stats XP-34/35 FG-24/27 TTL PTs–106
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