There’s a kicker crisis brewing in the NFL fantasy world as we head into Week 12. With only 12 kickers currently rostered in at least 50% of ESPN fantasy football leagues, the situation is dire. To make matters worse, three of them are on bye this week, and one is on injured reserve. If you’re in need of a reliable kicker, you’re certainly not alone.
But fear not! Streaming kickers can be a game-changer. If you don’t have one of the top-tier kickers, this strategy can often provide the scoring edge you need. So, let’s dive into the best streaming kicker options available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues for this week.
Top Streaming Kicker Options for Week 12
1. Chase McLaughlin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@ NYG) — 67.3% Available
Chase McLaughlin is a prime candidate for your fantasy lineup this week. After a Week 11 bye, he’s ready to step in and deliver. While he might not be the highest-upside option, he has consistently averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game this season, with only two games below 7 points.
The Buccaneers’ offense is humming along nicely, ranking in the top 12 for both yards per drive (11th with 33.7 yards) and the percentage of drives ending in points (7th at 44.9%). This creates an ideal environment for kickers to rack up points. McLaughlin has attempted at least four kicks in each of his last four games, showcasing his reliability. Plus, he’s a perfect 6-of-6 on kicks over 50 yards, which adds to his potential for high-value fantasy points.
2. Jake Moody, San Francisco 49ers (@ GB) — 55.0% Available
Next up is Jake Moody, who may have had a disappointing Week 11, but he remains a solid choice. He ranks 7th among kickers in fantasy points per game this season. The 49ers have a potent offense, and even when Moody missed a game, his backup Matthew Wright performed admirably, ranking 2nd in fantasy points during that stretch.
The Green Bay Packers have been somewhat stingy to opposing kickers, but they’ve still allowed an average of 9.25 fantasy points per game to the position over the last month. With their defense ranked 23rd by PFF grade, there’s no reason to shy away from starting Moody. Sometimes, the simplest approach is the best: just start the 49ers kicker!
3. Wil Lutz, Denver Broncos (@ LV) — 87.3% Available
Wil Lutz is another great option to consider. The Raiders have been generous to opposing kickers, allowing them to score on 45.4% of their drives this season. This has led to kickers scoring double-digit fantasy points in 8 of 10 games against them. The average points allowed per game by the Raiders is a staggering 10.9, making this matchup too good to pass up.
Even though Lutz has struggled recently, he’s still converted 86.4% of his field goal attempts this season, which is slightly above his career average. He’s also been perfect on extra points. Given the favorable matchup against the Raiders, it’s reasonable to expect Lutz to capitalize on this opportunity, as he did in Week 5 when he scored 13 fantasy points.
There are only 12 kickers who are rostered in at least 50% of ESPN fantasy football leagues right now, and three of them are on bye in Week 12 while another one is on the IR. There’s a good chance you’re looking for a new starting option this week.
And if you are, you’re in luck. Streaming the position is nearly always a viable way to approach it, and unless you have the best of the best at the position, it’s also typically going to be your best way to get a scoring edge in the kicker spot.
Here are the best streaming kicker options, available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues, to target in Week 12 fantasy football.
With the right streaming options, you can navigate the kicker crisis and keep your fantasy team competitive. Whether you choose McLaughlin, Moody, or Lutz, each of these kickers has the potential to deliver valuable points this week. So, don’t hesitate to make that roster move and secure your fantasy success in Week 12!
