2008 Fantasy Football Rankings – Kickers

Quarterbacks Running Backs Wide Receivers Tight Ends Kickers Defenses Top 150 Sleepers Busts

Projected points are based on traditional fantasy scoring systems, where you get 1 point for 20 yards passing, 10 yards rushing/receiving; and 6 points for a touchdown. When I post my Top 150, I’ll have lists for traditional, PPR and touchdown leagues. I’ll also have notifications if a player is better or worse in one of those scoring systems.

A key for these notifications is at the bottom of the page.

Updated Aug. 31

Nick Folk, Cowboys
One of fantasy’s top kickers. Nick Folk is extremely accurate from long range, and he gets tons of extra-point attempts.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 28-32 FG (3-5 50+). 53 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 151.
Mason Crosby, Packers
As a rookie, Mason Crosby established himself as one of the better kickers in the NFL, nailing 31-of-39 attempts, including 3-of-5 from 50-plus. Crosby has a monstrous leg, and as he matures, his accuracy can only improve.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 30-36 FG (3-4 50+). 44 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 149.
Rob Bironas, Titans
The King of Clutch 50-Yard Field Goals. Rob Bironas is one of the league’s top kickers. He hit 4-of-5 from beyond 50 and 9-of-10 from 40-49 yards last season.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 31-35 FG (3-5 50+). 31 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 137.
Josh Scobee, Jaguars
You won’t get any 50-yard field goals from Josh Scobee, but he’s pretty reliable from 40-49 yards out. Scobee will get more attempts this season now that David Garrard has a full season of starting experience under his belt.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 26-31 FG (0-1 50+). 48 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 136.
Shayne Graham, Bengals
Since taking over the kicking job in Cincinnati, Shayne Graham hasn’t missed more than five field goals in a single season. He was 31-of-34 in 2007, including 6-of-8 from beyond 40 yards.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 28-32 FG (1-2 50+). 40 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 132.
Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots
Stephen Gostkowski hasn’t proven that he can kick long field goals, but he’ll get tons of extra points every week.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 22-29 FG (1-2 50+). 60 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 131.
Josh Brown, Rams
One of the NFL’s most lethal kickers goes from the rainy Pacific Northwest to a nice, comfy dome. Josh Brown hit 28-of-34 tries last season, including 3-of-5 from 50-plus. Keep in mind, however, that Brown will be playing for a much worse offense, so his attempts may drop.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 26-31 FG (4-6 50+). 36 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 130.
Phil Dawson, Browns
Phil Dawson rebounded from an awful 2006 campaign and hit 26-of-30 kicks, including 8-of-10 from 40-plus. A very solid kicker who has hit at least 82 percent of his field goals every year save for one since 2002. With all of his extra points, Dawson is one of the top players at his position.

AUG. 19 UPDATE: Phil Dawson nailed a 56-yard field goal in the first quarter – not an easy feat in the Meadowlands.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 26-29 FG (2-3 50+). 42 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 129.
Kris Brown, Texans
Kris Brown nailed 11-of-13 field goals from 40-49 in 2006. Last season, he was 5-of-5 from 50-plus. The fact that Brown kicks inside a dome makes him even more appealing. Without a doubt, one of the top kickers in fantasy.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 25-31 FG (2-4 50+). 42 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 128.
Nate Kaeding, Chargers
Kaeding has missed only 14 field goals in his entire NFL career, so he’s dependable. He nailed 7-of-8 attempts from 40-49 yards in 2007. He was 1-of-2 from 50-plus. So, why is Kaeding a bust? No, not his ugly haircut; with Philip Rivers coming off a torn ACL and Antonio Gates struggling with his injured foot, San Diego’s offense could struggle a bit in 2008.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 24-28 FG (1-2 50+). 44 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 124.
Lawrence Tynes, Giants
Lawrence Tynes took his career average of 78.1 percent (going into 2007) and turned it into a 23-of-27 effort, which including 8-of-8 from beyond 40 yards.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 23-29 FG (1-2 50+). 45 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 123.
Adam Vinatieri, Colts
Mr. Clutch had a leg injury last year and consequently failed to nail a kick from beyond 40 yards. I have to believe he’ll be back in 2008, though I wouldn’t draft him until really late.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 23-28 FG (0-1 50+). 47 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 122.
Jeff Reed, Steelers
Jeff Reed is an accurate kicker, but he has an average of only five made field goals from 40-49 the past four seasons. Heinz Field is a tough place to kick, so he seldom gets long attempts.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 23-26 FG (0-1 50+). 45 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 119.
Robbie Gould, Bears
Robbie Gould has never hit a 50-yarder in his career, but he’s extremely accurate elsewhere; the past two years, he’s 24-of-28 from 40-49. Unfortunately, he won’t get many extra-point attempts.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 27-31 FG (0-2 50+). 26 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 118.
Rian Lindell, Bills
A solid kicker in fantasy football, Rian Lindell is 7-of-8 from 50-plus the past three years. Buffalo’s offense figures to be better in 2008, so that means more field-goal and extra-point opportunities.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 25-28 FG (2-2 50+). 33 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 118.
Matt Stover, Ravens
Still one of the top kickers in the game, though Matt Stover’s days of kicking 50-yarders are over. Stover was 27-of-32 last season, including 8-of-12 from 40-49.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 28-32 FG (0-1 50+). 25 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 118.
Brandon Coutu, Seahawks
I can’t see Olindo Mare winning this job, so it’ll likely be Brandon Coutu taking over for Josh Brown. I’d stay away until we see what he’s made of.

AUG. 18 UPDATE: It looks like Brandon Coutu will be Seattle’s starting kicker. The seventh-round rookie was 5-of-5, hitting from 48, 26, 46, 21 and 36 (game-winner). Olindo Mare is 2-of-2 this preseason and he booted two kickoffs through the end zone, but Coutu is younger and has much more upside.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 23-29 FG (1-2 50+). 38 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 117.
Jason Hanson, Lions
He’s 38, but Jason Hanson still has a few solid seasons left in the tank. I’m not sure if he can keep hitting three 50-yarders every year, but he’s still very accurate, and should be good for about 7-10 40-yard field goals. Hanson was 29-of-35 in 2007, including 11-of-13 from 40-49 and 3-of-4 from 50-plus.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 25-30 FG (2-4 50+). 30 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 116.
Neil Rackers, Cardinals
Neil Rackers missed two kicks inside 40 yards, but he nailed three from 50-plus. Arizona’s offense is pretty solid, so Rackers should once again get plenty of opportunities.

AUG. 18 UPDATE: I’m not sure how much to read into this, but Neil Rackers missed an extra point. It’s not like it was blocked or anything; he just botched the chip shot. Rackers didn’t attempt a field goal.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 21-30 FG (2-7 50+). 43 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 116.
David Akers, Eagles
So much for being one of the top kickers in football. David Akers hasn’t hit 80 percent of his field goals since 2004. Even worse, he was 2-of-10 from 40-plus last season. Ouch.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 21-29 FG (1-4 50+). 39 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 115.
John Kasay, Panthers
John Kasay has hit at least two 50-yarders the past five seasons. He’ll turn 39 in October, so that streak may end. I’d find another kicker if I were you.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 24-29 FG (2-4 50+). 32 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 114.
Shaun Suisham, Redskins
Shaun Suisham was great in his first full-season as a starting kicker, as he went 29-of-35, including 11-of-15 from 40-plus. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get the extra-point opportunities you want from your fantasy kicker.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 25-32 FG (1-2 50+). 28 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 114.
Jason Elam, Falcons
Jason Elam just turned 38, so his days of hitting 50-yard field goals has probably come to an end. Still, Elam is very accurate from 40-49. Since 2003, he’s 42-of-56 (75 percent) from that distance. Keep in mind he kicked at Mile High; he’ll be even more efficient inside the dome.

AUG. 11 UPDATE: Jason Elam’s missed 48-yard field goal wasn’t even close. It wouldn’t have even connected from 18. He kicked it the wrong way. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Elam showed up drunk and high, but it’s clear that he was poisoned by Joey Harrington’s caviar lunch. Poor Elam is new to the team and hasn’t learned to avoid Harrington and all of his odd tendencies.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 26-29 FG (0-2 50+). 24 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 112.
Martin Gramatica, Saints
So much for Taylor Mehlhaff being a sleeper kicker. Unlike Mehlhaff, the has-been Martin Gramatica offers very little fantasy value.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 20-27 FG (0-1 50+). 44 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 111.
Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders
“Sea Bass” nailed 6-of-11 field goals from 50-plus, but I wouldn’t take him because he’s really unreliable. There’s always a chance he could get arrested or drunkenly crash his car into a telephone pole.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 23-30 FG (3-7 50+). 28 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 110.
Ryan Longwell, Vikings
Ryan Longwell bounced back from a horrid 2006 campaign, in which he was just 4-of-8 from 40-plus. He was 11-of-15 from that distance in 2007. Still, I’d stay away from Longwell; he won’t get as many opportunities in Minnesota’s offense, and he’s just 1-of-6 from beyond 50 yards the past two years.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 21-26 FG (0-2 50+). 40 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 109.
Mike Nugent, Jets
Mike Nugent has become one of the top kickers in the game. Unfortunately, his offense won’t give him many extra-point and field-goal opportunities. His 36 tries in 2007 may have been a fluke.

AUG. 17 UPDATE: The fact that Mike Nugent botched a 23-yard chip shot has to be a huge concern for Jet fans.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 22-29 FG (2-3 50+). 28 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 103.
Matt Bryant, Buccaneers
Matt Bryant has just two field goals from 50-plus in his entire career, though one was a 62-yard game-winner against the Eagles in 2006. He gets a solid amount from 40-49, but he’s not worth drafting.

AUG. 12 UPDATE: Matt Bryant struggled, missing two of three attempts, including a whiff from 36.

AUG. 27 UPDATE: Matt Bryant missed a 23-yard field goal at the end of the first half. Bryant later hit a 27-yarder. I guess 23 yards out was just too close.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 20-27 FG (0-1 50+). 31 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 96.
Dan Carpenter, Dolphins
Dan Carpenter hit a 41-yard field goal off the dirt and a 49-yarder that went right down the middle against the Buccaneers in his first preseason action.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 20-23 FG (1-1 50+). 25 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 94.
Joe Nedney, 49ers
Joe Nedney is a solid kicker, but he attempted only 19 kicks and 22 extra points in 2007 because San Francisco’s offense sucked. He’ll have more chances this season with Mike Martz calling the shots, but don’t expect anything great.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 20-25 FG (1-2 50+). 27 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 93.
Matt Prater, Broncos
A rookie kicker with a powerful leg. Will Mike Shanahan trust him enough to give him field goal attempts from 45-plus? Will he even win the starting job over Matt Prater? At any rate, watch out for Garrett Hartley; if he wins the job, he could be a sleeper in the mold of a Mason Crosby.

AUG. 11 UPDATE: Matt Prater, Denver’s replacement for Jason Elam, hit 3-of-4 field goal attempts, all of which were within 40 yards. Prater’s miss was from 30, as it was wide right by about a mile. Prater could cost the Broncos at least two victories this season, assuming he even makes the team.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 15-27 FG (0-1 50+). 41 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 92.
Nick Novak, Chiefs
Connor Barth will be battling Nick Novak and Billy Cundiff for the kicking job. Given that Herm Edwards wants to go young, I have my money on Barth. Neither should be on your fantasy team.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Stats: 17-25 FG (0-1 50+). 27 XP.
Projected 2008 Fantasy Points: 82.

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