2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers


These 2012 Fantasy Football Kickers Rankings will be updated often throughout the summer, so make sure you check back from time to time. Also, be sure to check out my other 2012 Fantasy Football articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2012 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material.

Updated 6/2


  1. Sebastian Janikowski, K, Raiders. Bye: 5.
    Sebastian Janikowski is the No. 1 fantasy kicker for two reasons. First, Oakland is not good in the red zone, so Janikowski gets plenty of opportunities. And second, Janikowski has a monstrous leg. He’s drilled an average of 5.2 field goals of 50-plus in the past five years.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 32-38 FG (5-8 from 50+; 8-10 from 40-49). 35 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 149.

  2. Stephen Gostkowski, K, Patriots. Bye: 9.
    Stephen Gostkowski missed half of 2010 with a torn quad, but rebounded nicely, hitting 28-of-33 kicks, including 9-of-11 from 40-49. He should be even better in 2012.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 26-30 FG (1-3 from 50+; 8-10 from 40-49). 59 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 147.



  3. Alex Henery, K, Eagles. Bye: 7.
    Alex Henery struggled at the beginning of his rookie campaign, completely blowing it in the 49er game with two misses. However, he finished strong, drilling 16 consecutive kicks beginning in Week 5. Considering the Eagles’ problems in the red zone, Henery is a kicker you’ll want to own.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 29-33 FG (2-3 from 50+; 9-11 from 40-49). 45 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 145.

  4. David Akers, K, 49ers. Bye: 9.
    Andy Reid ran David Akers out of down. Akers responded by going 44-of-52, including 7-of-9 from 50-plus last year. Oops. Akers will regress to the norm in 2012; those numbers are unrealistic, and the 49ers should be better in the red zone because of a brand new receiving corps.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 31-37 FG (4-6 from 50+; 6-9 from 40-49). 37 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 144.

  5. Mason Crosby, K, Packers. Bye: 10.
    Mason Crosby has never hit 80 percent of his field goals in any season prior to 2011. That changed, as he went 24-of-28, but it might have had something to do with the fact that he attempted a career-low eight tries from 40-plus. Green Bay’s offense is almost too efficient for him, though he gets to rack up the XPs.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 23-28 FG (2-4 from 50+; 5-8 from 40-49). 65 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 143.



  6. Rob Bironas, K, Titans. Bye: 11.
    Rob Bironas is a stud; he’s drilled at least 84.4 percent of his field goals every year since 2007. He was 29-of-32 in 2011, including 6-of-7 from 50-plus.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 28-31 FG (4-5 from 50+; 8-9 from 40-49). 38 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 138.

  7. Matt Bryant, K, Falcons. Bye: 7.
    Matt Bryant looked done in Tampa Bay at one point. Apparently, he was not. Bryant went 28-of-31 in 2010 and then 27-of-29 last year. This includes 13-of-17 from 40-49 and 3-of-3 from 50-plus. He may lose some of his leg strength now that he’s 37, but he plays for a great offense in a dome.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 28-33 FG (1-2 from 50+; 7-10 from 40-49). 44 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 137.

  8. Robbie Gould, K, Bears. Bye: 6.
    Robbie Gould has hit at least 83.3 percent of his field goals the past six years. In addition to his excellent accuracy, he was also a perfect 6-of-6 from 50-plus in 2011.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 26-29 FG (3-4 from 50+; 6-8 from 40-49). 43 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 133.



  9. Dan Bailey, K, Cowboys. Bye: 5.
    Dan Bailey was very impressive as a rookie last year, drilling 32-of-37 attempts. He’s a legitimate starting fantasy kicker playing for a strong offense indoors.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 27-34 FG (2-4 from 50+; 8-11 from 40-49). 40 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 133.

  10. Garrett Hartley, K, Saints. Bye: 6.
    Garrett Hartley missed all of 2011 with a hip injury, but should be fine now. He figures to win the job over John Kasay. If he does, he’ll be one of fantasy’s top kickers.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 24-30 FG (3-4 from 50+; 9-11 from 40-49). 45 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 132.

  11. Jason Hanson, K, Lions. Bye: 5.
    Jason Hanson went 24-of-29 last year, including 5-of-7 from 50-plus last year. He plays for a great offense, but be careful – he just turned 42.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 23-29 FG (3-5 from 50+; 5-7 from 40-49). 50 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 130.



  12. Randy Bullock, K, Texans. Bye: 8.
    AUG. 12 UPDATE: Randy Bullock drilled both of his field goal attempts in the preseason opener, including one from 52 yards.

    Randy Bullock was a fifth-round pick this April. Bullock, 29-of-33 at Texas A&M in 2011, will be playing for a high-octane offense in a dome, so he’s draftable despite being a rookie.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 26-32 FG (2-3 from 50+; 6-9 from 40-49). 42 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 130.

  13. Rian Lindell, K, Bills. Bye: 8.
    Rian Lindell was having a great 2011 campaign (13-of-15) when he was knocked out for the year in November because of a shoulder injury. Buffalo will have a pretty strong offense in 2012, provided Ryan Fitzpatrick can stay healthy, so Lindell is a kicker you’ll want.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 26-30 FG (2-4 from 50+; 6-8 from 40-49). 39 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 127.

  14. Nate Kaeding, K, Chargers. Bye: 7.
    Nate Kaeding was once fantasy’s most reliable kickers, but that’s not the case anymore. He’s coming off a torn ACL and will have to beat out Nick Novak, who hit 27-of-34 attempts last year. Considering Kaeding’s tendency to choke like Aurora Snow in the playoffs, San Diego may go with Novak.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 23-29 FG (1-3 from 50+; 7-9 from 40-49). 48 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 126.

  15. Neil Rackers, K, Redskins. Bye: 10.
    Neil Rackers has nailed 90 and 84.2 percent of his field goals the past two seasons, but he’s now with the Redskins, where he won’t be playing in a dome for the first time in years. It’s normally not a good idea to trust a kicker with a rookie quarterback, but Robert Griffin won’t be too bad for Rackers.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 27-33 FG (2-4 from 50+; 5-8 from 40-49). 36 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 126.

  16. Mike Nugent, K, Bengals. Bye: 8.
    Mike Nugent flopped in New York, so it was a big surprise that he was able to go 33-of-38 with the Bengals last year. I wouldn’t recommend counting on him because he can be really erratic.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 25-32 FG (1-2 from 50+; 8-10 from 40-49). 37 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 122.

  17. Dan Carpenter, K, Dolphins. Bye: 7.
    I like Dan Carpenter as a fantasy kicker. He has drilled 59 field goals in the past two seasons (29-of-34 in 2011) because Miami’s offense is so inept in the red zone.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 27-34 FG (3-6 from 50+; 10-13 from 40-49). 23 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 120.

  18. Olindo Mare, K, Panthers. Bye: 6.
    Olindo Mare hit plenty of extra points last year (44), but was just 22-of-28 overall. He’s only 1-of-4 from 50-plus the past three years.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 24-29 FG (1-2 from 50+; 6-8 from 40-49). 40 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 120.

  19. Ryan Succop, K, Chiefs. Bye: 7.
    Ryan Succop went 24-of-30 last year, including a perfect 3-of-3 from 50-plus. Kansas City’s offense will be better in 2012 with Matt Cassel and Jamaal Charles back, so Succop will have more scoring opportunities.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 24-29 FG (1-3 from 50+; 6-8 from 40-49). 39 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 119.

  20. Connor Barth, K, Buccaneers. Bye: 5.
    Connor Barth was an excellent 26-of-28 last year, including 13-of-14 from 40-49 and 2-of-3 from 50-plus. He won’t attempt as many from the former distance in 2012 because the Buccaneers should be better in the red zone, but he’ll definitely have more than 23 extra points.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 24-28 FG (2-4 from 50+; 8-9 from 40-49). 32 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 116.

  21. Billy Cundiff, K, Ravens. Bye: 8.
    Billy Cundiff choked away a chance to go to the Super Bowl in January. He was also just 28-of-37 in the regular season. There’s a chance he’ll lose his job to undrafted rookie Justin Tucker.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 23-31 FG (1-4 from 50+; 7-9 from 40-49). 36 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 114.

  22. Matt Prater, K, Broncos. Bye: 6.
    Matt Prater was super clutch last year, but was just 19-of-25 overall. He’ll have more extra-point opportunities with Peyton Manning under center – assuming the quarterback is healthy, of course.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 21-26 FG (2-3 from 50+; 5-8 from 40-49). 41 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 113.

  23. Shaun Suisham, K, Steelers. Bye: 4.
    The Steelers provided Shaun Suisham with plenty of opportunities last year, but he couldn’t really capitalize, going 23-of-31. Don’t bother.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 22-29 FG (1-2 from 50+; 5-9 from 40-49). 40 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 113.

  24. Lawrence Tynes, K, Giants. Bye: 11.
    Lawrence Tynes was coming off offseason surgeries for a sports hernia, an ankle and a heel last year, and consequently went just 19-of-24. He’ll be better in 2012.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 21-26 FG (1-3 from 50+; 5-7 from 40-49). 42 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 112.

  25. Adam Vinatieri, K, Colts. Bye: 4.
    For the first time since 2000, Adam Vinatieri did not kick for a future Hall of Fame quarterback last year. He was still a solid 23-of-27, but attempted only 24 extra points. Things will be better with Andrew Luck, but Vinatieri won’t be the same – especially considering that he turns 40 in December.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 23-28 FG (1-2 from 50+; 7-9 from 40-49). 32 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 110.

  26. Steven Hauschka, K, Seahawks. Bye: 11.
    Steven Hauschka is tough to project because Matt Flynn is an unknown. There’s no reason to take a chance with him.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 24-29 FG (2-4 from 50+; 6-8 from 40-49). 28 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 110.

  27. Jay Feely, Cardinals. Bye: 10.
    Jay Feely is coming off his worst season since 2004; he hit just 19-of-24 attempts in 2011. He just turned 36, so maybe his best days are behind him.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 22-27 FG (1-2 from 50+; 6-9 from 40-49). 35 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 109.

  28. Phil Dawson, K, Browns. Bye: 10.
    Phil Dawson is still kicking strong at 37. He’s drilled at least 82 percent of his tries ever year since 2007, and was 7-of-8 from both 40-49 and 50-plus last year. Hopefully Brandon Weeden will give him more opportunities.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 24-29 FG (3-4 from 50+; 5-6 from 40-49). 26 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 109.

  29. Josh Brown, K, Jets. Bye: 9.
    Josh Brown is not a fantasy kicker you should own. He’ll have to battle the wind at the New Meadowlands after kicking indoors for four years, and he also won’t get many opportunities because Tim Tebow will help the Jets be efficient in the red zone.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 20-28 FG (2-5 from 50+; 7-10 from 40-49). 30 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 101.

  30. Greg Zuerlein, K, Rams. Bye: 9.
    Greg Zuerlein is a sixth-round rookie out of Missouri Western. He hit 23-of-24 field goals in 2011, including a very impressive 5-of-5 from 50-plus. However, he’s playing for the Rams, so he should not be owned.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 22-27 FG (2-4 from 50+; 6-8 from 40-49). 23 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 99.

  31. Josh Scobee, K, Jaguars. Bye: 6.
    Josh Scobee was a near-perfect 23-of-25 last year, including 5-of-6 from 50-plus. It’s too bad he plays in the NFL’s worst passing offense though.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 22-26 FG (4-6 from 50+; 5-8 from 40-49). 19 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 98.

  32. Blair Walsh, K, Vikings. Bye: 11.
    Blair Walsh hit just 21-of-35 field goals at Georgia last year, so you have to wonder why the Vikings cut Ryan Longwell. It’s never a good idea to trust a rookie kicker – especially one who plays in a mediocre offense.

    Projected 2012 Fantasy Stats: 19-27 FG (3-5 from 50+; 6-10 from 40-49). 27 XP.
    Projected 2012 Fantasy Points: 96.






More 2012 Fantasy Football Articles:
2012 Fantasy Football: Home

2012 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Downloadable Spreadsheets - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Auction Values - 7/28 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings (Re-Draft) - 5/6 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings (Dynasty) - 5/6 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Playoff Rankings - 1/2 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings - 12/27 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Injury Reports - 12/27 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Start Em, Sit Em - 12/27 (Walt)
Week 16 Fantasy Football Start Em, Sit Em - 12/20 (Walt)
WalterFootball.com $1,000 Contest on FanDuel.com - 11/4

2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Traditional Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: PPR Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Touchdown Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: 2-QB Format - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Traditional Scoring PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: PPR Scoring PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Touchdown Scoring PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: 2-QB Format PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)

2012 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2012 Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/23 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/16 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum 2-QB PPR Mock Draft - 8/9 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Auction Mock Draft - 8/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum PPR Mock Draft - 7/27 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum 2-QB Mock Draft - 7/17 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Standard 14-Team Mock Draft - 7/12 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum PPR Mock Draft - 7/6 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Touchdown-Format Mock Draft - 7/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Standard Mock Draft - 7/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum PPR Mock Draft - 6/22 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Mock Draft - 6/14 (Walt)
The Four-Man PPR Fantasy Mock Draft - 5/18 (Walt)

2012 Fantasy Football Articles:
2012 Fantasy Football Stock: Training Camp, OTAs - 9/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 8/31 (Walt)
2012 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 8/31 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Targets - 8/31 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: 20 Sleepers - 8/28 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: Round-by-Round Strategy - 8/21 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Busts - 6/5 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Early-Middle Rounds) - 6/5 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football All-Value Team - 5/26 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Quarterbacks - 5/8 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Running Backs - 5/8 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Wide Receivers - 5/8 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Quarterbacks, Tight Ends - 4/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Running Backs - 4/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Wide Receivers - 4/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: First-Round Bust History - 2/17 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 2/17 (Walt)




NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22


2024 NFL Mock Draft - Feb. 21


Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19


NFL Picks - Feb. 12




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