Fantasy Upside
Michael Badgley authored a historic rookie campaign after taking over as the team’s kicker. Remember, Badgley was an undrafted rookie trying to cut his teeth with the Colts this time last year. He was eventually waived by Indy before signing on in L.A. He had the most efficient season in team history in 2018, making 93.8 percent of his field goal attempts, marking the best single-season field goal percentage with at least 15 attempts. He also booted a 59-yard field goal in the team’s Week 14 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, marking the longest made field goal in franchise history.
Fantasy Downside
A strong rookie season does not guarantee an equally impressive second season.
2019 Bottom Line
Others might have more history on their side, but fantasy should view Badgley as a reasonable front-line option working alongside Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense.
Week 19 at New England Patriots
The Chargers go west to east for the second consecutive week to take on the Patriots in New England with a trip to the AFC Championship game on the line. The Bolts have the second-lowest implied team total of the eight remaining teams, however, at just 21.5 points. That keeps Badgley from elite kicker consideration this week.
Week 17 at Denver Broncos
The Chargers offense will be at full strength in Week 17 with a chance to go from wild-card playoff team to home field advantage and playing against a potential lame duck coach in Denver's Vance Joseph. This is an offense to trust in the final week of the regular season, with an implied team total of 24 after being installed in Vegas as 6-point favorites. That makes Mike Badgley a starting consideration for Week 17.
Week 16 vs. Baltimore Ravens (Saturday)
Los Angeles hosts Baltimore on a short week with a chance to get its offense back to full strength, with the return of Melvin Gordon and possibly Keenan Allen. This game has a low over/under of 43.5 points, with the Chargers having an implied total of 23.75, lower than recent weeks against a strong Baltimore defense. The ability of this offense to move the ball though still makes Badgley a borderline starting consideration.
Week 14 at Kansas City Chiefs (Thursday)
In a huge divisional showdown on Thursday night, the Chargers and Chiefs have the second highest over/under on the Week 15 slate, with Los Angeles still with an above average 24.75 implied total despite being road underdogs. That puts Badgley back in starting consideration for Week 15, just not the elite option he was last week.
Week 14 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Chargers face one of, if not, the worst defenses in the league at this point in the season this week. Los Angeles has an implied team total of 31 points. Only the Saints implied total is higher. This makes Badgley an upper echelon fantasy option in Week 14.
Week 13 at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Chargers have an average implied team total of just over 24 points this week. Mike Badgley has been perfect this season, but opportunity is a concern this week, which moves him out of starting consideration in most leagues.
Week 12 vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Chargers have an implied team total of 28 points, an attractive projection. Badgley has made all of his field goals this season and missed just one extra point. He's averaging more than eight fantasy points per game, making him a solid option in Week 12.
Week 11 vs. Denver Broncos
With a large implied team total of 26.75, Mike Badgley should be on the fantasy radar in every league for Week 11. He remained perfect on the season last week. Nine-for-nine on field goal attempts and five-for-five on extra points in 2018.
Week 10 at Oakland Raiders
The Chargers went back to Mike Badgley after Caleb Sturgis imploded last week. Los Angeles has the third-highest implied team total on this Sunday's slate, making Badgley a solid kicking option for Week 12.
