Streaming Kickers: Week 14 Targets

Dec 04, 2018

It’s fantasy playoff time folks, and despite what some say, the points coming from your kicker could be the difference between advancing to the next round or watching from the sidelines.

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 13, three of my recommendations were all among the top 15. 4for4’s optimal streamer has 167 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. Bengals

Badgley is my top streamer for a myriad of reasons this week. The Bengals are a mess and rank 29^th in the league in aFPA to kickers. Los Angeles plays at home and is favored by a massive 14 points, with 31 implied points. The Chargers should provide plenty of scoring opportunities for Badgley in this lopsided matchup, and at just a 27 percent ownership on Yahoo, grab him now and ride him through the rest of the fantasy playoffs.