Fantasy football player analysis: Place kickers

August 21, 2011 @ 09:16:52

By Cory J. Bonini
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

1) Dan Carpenter | Miami Dolphins | 6-foot-2, 225 pounds | 4th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
36	39	100	32	35	91	0	2	8	10	7	9	12	14	2	4	29	32

Analysis: Miami's offense should be just good enough to put Carpenter in field goal range with regularity. He connected on 30 of his 41 attempts (73.2 percent) last year. His percentage is a bit skewed by a four-miss game, with all of those errant kicks coming from 48 to 61 yards out. He has a lot of power, as illustrated by a 60-yard make last season. Expect him to attempt just a few less field goals (his 41 was tied for the league most) and more extra points (25 last year).

2) Nate Kaeding | San Diego Chargers | 6-foot, 187 pounds | 8th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
48	51	100	30	33	88	0	2	10	12	7	9	6	8	2	4	27	30

Analysis: He kicks for one of the most high-powered offenses in the league. Kaeding has seen no fewer than 27 field goal attempts in a season since 2005, and last year's 40 point-after tries marked the lowest number of his career. He has a strong leg (57-yard career long) and has worked to improve his concentration this offseason.

3) Nick Folk | New York Jets | 6-foot-1, 222 pounds | 5th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
35	38	100	29	32	93	0	2	7	9	9	11	8	10	2	4	27	30

Analysis: The Jets provided Folk with a healthy 39 field goal attempts last year (30 made; 76.9 percent). He needs to improve his accuracy a little; we saw him post a 90.9 percent conversion rate in 2008 (83.9 as a rookie in '07). The Jets' offense will stall in opponents' territory at times, and their goal line scoring was inconsistent last year.

4) Garrett Hartley | New Orleans Saints | 5-foot-8, 196 pounds | 4th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
28	31	100	15	18	88	0	2	4	6	5	7	3	5	1	3	13	16

Analysis: This should be the year Hartley puts it all together after coming very close last year. He will see plenty of extra points attempts in this offense and should kick enough field goals to keep him relevant to fantasy owners each week. He is a career 85.7 percent kicker.

5) Rob Bironas | Tennessee Titans | 6-foot, 210 pounds | 7th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
32	35	100	29	32	86	0	1	8	10	7	9	8	10	2	4	25	28

Analysis: Bironas features one of the strongest legs in the NFL (60-yard career long) and connected on 92.3 percent of his field goal attempts last year. Tennessee's offense should be better with Matt Hasselbeck as the starting quarterback and is likely to provide Bironas with consistent three-point opps.

6) Josh Brown | St. Louis Rams | 6-foot, 205 pounds | 9th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
33	36	100	30	33	81	0	1	8	10	7	9	6	8	3	5	24	27

Analysis: St. Louis' offense could score many touchdowns under Josh McDaniels in 2011, but we think there will be enough sneezes to keep Brown busy booting the three-pointers. He attempted 39 kicks last year (only 27 XPAs). He has nailed one from at least 53 yards every year of his career and knocked a 60-yarder through in this year's first preseason game.

7) Stephen Gostkowski | New England Patriots | 6-foot-1, 215 pounds | 6th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
46	49	100	28	31	83	0	1	8	10	9	11	5	7	1	3	23	26

Analysis: He is returning from a torn quadriceps muscle but says he is 100 percent. New England provided Gostkowski 71 field goal chances from 2008 to '09, and he has kicked at least 40 point-afters in his four healthy seasons.

8) Matt Bryant | Atlanta Falcons | 5-foot-9, 203 pounds | 10th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
38	41	100	29	32	85	0	1	8	10	9	11	7	9	0	2	25	28

Analysis: Bryant was dynamite in his first full year with the Falcons. He split the uprights 28 of 31 times (90.3 percent) for field goals and drilled all 44 of his XPAs. It's scary to think that Atlanta's offense could be even better in 2011.

9) Billy A. Cundiff | Baltimore Ravens | 6-foot-1, 212 pounds | 7th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
38	41	100	29	32	86	0	2	9	11	6	8	6	8	2	4	25	28

Analysis: Cundiff set a career high in accuracy last year by booting 89.7 percent of his field goal tries through the uprights. He made all 39 extra point attempts and should be in prime position to see plenty of action in 2011. He worked on improving his long-range kicking accuracy this summer.

10) Sebastian Janikowski | Oakland Raiders | 6-foot-2, 250 pounds | 12th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
31	34	100	30	33	85	0	2	6	8	8	10	7	9	3	5	26	29

Analysis: In 2010 Janikowski kicked a career-high 41 field goal attempts (33 makes) and 43 extra points (one more than he did in 2008 and '09 combined). Oakland's offense is in for a regression without Tom Cable and Robert Gallery. Seabass is overvalued, if that exists in the world of fantasy kickers.

11) Alex Henery | Philadelphia Eagles | 6-foot-1, 177 pounds | Rookie

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
38	41	100	30	33	81	0	2	8	10	7	9	7	9	1	3	24	27

Analysis: David Akers' replacement should see plenty of chances to make kicks, but he has to deal with poor weather conditions and the pressure that comes with being an NFL kicker. If he doesn't buckle, enjoy consistent points all year.

12) Robbie Gould | Chicago Bears | 6-foot, 185 pounds | 7th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
36	39	100	29	32	84	0	2	7	9	9	11	7	9	0	2	25	28

Analysis: The Bears' offense should run more smoothly in their second year under Mike Martz's play-calling. Gould traditionally has been reliable at Soldier Field, but he missed four kicks there last year and only one away from the stadium. Terrible field conditions at home are not a kicker's friend.

13) Mason Crosby | Green Bay Packers | 6-foot-1, 207 pounds | 5th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
36	39	100	29	32	84	0	2	7	9	9	11	7	9	0	2	25	28

Analysis: Crosby (ankle) has a strong leg (56-yard career long), but accuracy has been an issue for him his entire NFL career (79.5 percent as a rookie his career best). Green Bay's explosive offense makes him a fantasy-worthy kicker, though.

14) Jason Hanson | Detroit Lions | 6-foot, 190 pounds | 20th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
36	39	100	27	30	84	0	2	6	8	7	9	6	8	3	5	23	26

Analysis: Detroit's offense should provide Hanson plenty of opportunities for three-point tries, assuming he beats out Dave Rayner. Head coach Jim Schwartz says he has confidence in Hanson in pressure situations; monitor this preseason battle.

15) Ryan Succop | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-foot-2, 218 pounds | 3rd year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
39	42	100	26	29	82	0	1	8	10	7	9	6	8	1	3	21	24

Analysis: Succop has a fairly strong leg. He has shown considerable and just average accuracy in his two-year career, regressing in his sophomore season. KC's offense figures to offer ample field goal attempts for this third-year footer.

16) Matt Prater | Denver Broncos | 5-foot-10, 195 pounds | 5th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
33	36	100	29	32	82	0	1	8	10	7	9	5	7	3	5	24	27

Analysis: Few kickers have the booming leg that Prater sports. An offseason DUI arrest could put him in hot water with the league, but Denver's ball-control offense should be just good enough to put him in field goal position with some regularity.

17) Neil Rackers | Houston Texans | 6-foot-1, 215 pounds | 12th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
40	43	100	25	28	86	0	2	7	9	6	8	6	8	2	4	22	25

Analysis: The veteran kicked a career-long 57-yarder last season and should enjoy another quality year in Houston's potent offense. Rackers nailed 90.0 percent of his kicks in 2010 (27-for-30).

18) Adam Vinatieri | Indianapolis Colts | 6-foot, 202 pounds | 16th year

2011 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

XPA		XP%	FGA		FG%	FG 1-19		FG 20-29		FG 30-39		FG 40-49		FG 50+		Tot FGs
Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi		Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
41	44	100	24	27	86	0	2	6	8	9	11	4	6	1	3	21	24

Analysis: The old timer still has a strong enough leg, as he demonstrated in the preseason by knocking through a 55-yard attempt. He is slightly overrated for fantasy purposes, but Indy's offense could rely more on him that usual if Peyton Manning (neck) is slow to go.

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

---

1

bj, at 05:40 on 08/26/11, says: I currently have alex henery, but dan carpenter & nick folk are available...what are your thoughts? Should I keep Henery or pick up on eof the others?

Report!

---

2

Cory Bonini, at 09:21 on 08/26/11, says: BJ - I think Henery will have a pretty good year, but it's tough to gauge how a rookie will respond to the pressure of playing in Philly. Carpenter is a safer choice with as much upside. I don't think you can really go wrong either way, and after all, we're talking about PKs. The likelihood of your season ending with the PK you start with is extremely low.

Report!

Comments 1 - 2 of 2 1

 

---

What do you think? We want to hear from you!

Name: E-mail: Please, enter the number that you see

Comment Guidelines

Cory J. Bonini

Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts.

Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors.

Follow him on Twitter @CoryKFFL

See More Articles by Author

Talk Sports 24/7!
KFFL Sports Forums: Over 24,000 strong and growing!

Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Dee Gordon's problems at bat (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Player Prospecting: Will Smith, Yordano Ventura, Wil Myers, more (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Roundtable: How trade talks develop (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: Tyler Clippard, J.J. Putz (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Mark Teixeira's ill beginnings (05/23)
Fantasy NASCAR race preview: Coca-Cola 600 (05/23)
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - AL (05/23)
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - NL (05/23)
Fantasy baseball players in the news (05/23)
Fantasy football players in the news (05/23)