Streaming Kickers: Week 12 Targets

Nov 20, 2018

Week 12 is here and it’s the perfect time to give thanks for kickers, especially since they get no respect every other week of the year.

Projecting a kicker’s output isn’t as difficult or random as you may think—in fact, taking a look at Vegas odds is the best way to accurately predict a kicker’s weekly potential. By focusing in on the team implied point totals, we can get a cumulative idea of how that offense will perform when it comes to settling for field goals, distance of kicks, and the like.

Another metric useful in projecting a kicker’s output is 4for4’s schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed or aFPA. By removing the schedule bias, we can compare matchups in an apples-to-apples manner. By Week 4, there’s a solid sample size to work from, and the info gets more trustworthy with each data-filled week.

The goal in streaming the kicker position is to roster a player who will return starting kicker fantasy points and in Week 11, four of my five streamers were among the top eight. I’d call that a pretty good week. 4for4’s optimal streamer has 150 points this season—good enough for the highest point total at the position.

In order to provide advice you can actually implement, candidates for streaming must be owned in no more than 40 percent of Yahoo fantasy leagues. As always, check 4for4’s rankings when making weekly decisions on any position.

Top Streaming Picks

Mike Badgley, (Chargers) vs. Cardinals

Apparently, people have not gotten the memo, because Badgley is only rostered in 21 percent of Yahoo leagues. He’s been solid since joining the Chargers this season and is set up beautifully again this week. He gets the Cardinals at home, in a contest with an over/under of 45. LA is favored by a whopping 12 points, with 28.5 implied, which bodes well for Badgley’s potential output. Grab him now while he’s still undervalued and under-rostered.