Week 1 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Dustin Hopkins finished the 2021 season tied with Evan McPherson as the K12 in fantasy points scored with 130. He averaged 7.6 fantasy points per game, the same as Harrison Butker of the Chiefs and more than Mason Crosby of the Packers. Hopkins attempted two or more field goals in eight of his 11 games as a member of the Chargers, converting 30 of his 34 attempts while going 40/44 on extra points.
Hopkins should be viewed as an elite option in Week 1 against the Raiders, who were 20th in aFPA to kickers last season. Opposing kickers converted 27/33 field goals against the Raiders in 2021 while also making 44 of their 46 extra-point attempts.
Week 17 vs. Broncos
Dustin Hopkins nailed all three of his field-goal attempts against the Texans last week, marking his third straight game with 100% accuracy on field goals. Hopkins has converted 23 of his 25 attempts since signing with the Chargers and is the K10 overall this season.
As with the rest of the offensive players on the Chargers, Hopkins faces a tough matchup on paper against the Broncos. They rank 5th in aFPA to kickers this season, with teams converting just 20 of 27 attempts against them in 2021 (74.1%). Still, given his current proficiency, Hopkins is a top 10 option at the kicker spot in Fantasy Championship week.
Week 17 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Here are the point totals for the Washington offense over the past four games: 13, 16, 16 and 16. With a home match-up, Vegas is being "generous" this week with an implied team total of 17.75 points. With a fourth-string quarterback at the helm, this is not an offense to rely on for fantasy production in Week 17. This is a team that's just trying to stay competitive via its defense and special teams.
Week 16 at Tennessee Titans (Saturday)
Washington has scored less than 17 points in three consecutive games. This week, the implied team total of this team is absurdly low yet again - 13.5 points. It is the lowest implied total on the slate by a point and a half. With this currently being the worst offense in the NFL on its fourth quarterback of the season, we simply have no confidence in starting any piece of this offense for fantasy in Week 16.
Week 15 at Jacksonville Jaguars
We're going to make this really simple for you. Washington has the lowest implied total in Week 15 at 14.5 points, a full 2.5 points lower than the next worst team. They are on their fourth quarterback. The running game has been extremely inefficient, and the starting tight end is injured now on top of previous injuries to wide receivers. There isn't a single Redskins player we feel comfortable starting in fantasy football for Week 15.
Week 14 vs. New York Giants
My, how the Redskins have fallen in 2018, potentially going from first to the worst team in the division by the end of the season, due in large part to so many notable injuries. Washington is now on its third quarterback in Mark Sanchez, and have an implied team total of fewer than 20 points this week, bottom five in the league. You just can't start a fantasy kicker under these conditions.
Week 13 at Philadelphia Eagles
Washington has a bottom five implied team total this week of less than 20 points. Dustin Hopkins is a name to stay away from among fantasy kickers in Week 13.
Week 12 at Dallas Cowboys (Thanksgiving)
Colt McCoy takes over at quarterback for the rest of the season for Washington, but a low implied team total under 17 points means you should look elsewhere for a fantasy kicker in Week 12.
Week 11 vs. Houston Texans
Washington is a team that is built around its defense and ball-control offense. This team is third in time of possession, but for fantasy purposes, Washington has an implied team total in Week 11 of only 19.75 points. Only Oakland is lower. That means Hopkins should not be on your Week 11 kicker radar.
Week 10 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Washington's implied team total is only in the middle of the pack this week against Tampa Bay, making Dustin Hopkins a rather unexciting Week 10 option at kicker. We'd look elsewhere.
