Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Ryan Czopek
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

::WEEK 1 RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2010::

Without a doubt the most underappreciated fantasy football player is the kicker. He’s almost always chosen last in a fantasy football draft and is made the “butt” of jokes by many owners. In fact, in most leagues if you draft one before the final round you better have thick skin because you are going to hear from your league mates. Whether those owners like it or not an accurate kicker on a fantasy team can be integral to their team’s success. One missed field goal or even an extra point that a kicker didn’t pick up can effectively end an owner’s title run.  So it’s important to get off to a good start.  With that in mind, let’s take a look at our Week 1 Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings to see who grades out as good plays in the season opener. 

1. Nate Kaeding (San Diego Chargers) vs. Kansas City

Kaeding was fantasy’s top kicker in 2009 connecting on 32-of-35 field goals and 50 extra points. He will start off the year against the Kansas City Chiefs who Kaeding averaged 13 points against in two games a year ago. Kaeding should find the field multiple times because the Chargers should be able to move the football up and down the field against a Chiefs defense that allowed 80 points to San Diego in two meetings a year ago.
Point Projection: 12 points

2. Robbie Gould (Chicago Bears) vs. Detroit

Last season Gould brought stability to an otherwise inconsistent offense hitting 24-of-28 field goals and all 33 of his extra point attempts. The Bears pass-heavy offense should be able to move the ball effectively against the Detroit Lions, who are one of the worst defensive backfields in football. Gould also put up 11 and 10 fantasy points respectively last season in two games against Detroit. Expect a solid performance from Gould.
Point Projection: 12 points

3. Rob Bironas (Tennessee Titans) vs. Oakland 

Bironas has consistently been one of the best fantasy kickers in the league the last few seasons.  He nailed 27-of-32 field goals, with 15 of them being 40 yards or more in 2009.  The Titans should be able to run all over the Oakland Raiders, who had one of the worst run defenses in football, and this will lead to plenty of kicking chances from Bironas. He is a sure-fire No.1 kicker this week and beyond. 
Point Projection: 11 points

4. Lawrence Tynes (New York Giants) vs. Carolina

In 2009, Tynes connected on 27-of-32 field goals, and made 45 extra points. The Giants offense is developing many playmakers and they should be able to pass effectively against a questionable Carolina Panthers secondary, providing red zone opportunities for Tynes and double-digit fantasy points for those who start him.. 
Point Projection: 10 points

5. Nick Folk (New York Jets) vs. Baltimore 

Being the kicker in New York often leads to many field goal opportunities. Last year, Jay Feely ranked as a top kicker in New York and if Folk can improve on his accuracy he can surprise in 2010. In Week 1, Folk and the Jets face the Baltimore Ravens, who like the Jets had one of the best defenses in football last season. This game has all the makings of a defensive battle that should benefit both opposing kickers.
Point Projection: 10 points

6. Mason Crosby (Green Bay Packers) vs. Philadelphia

Despite a setback last season Crosby has been one of fantasy best kickers in recent years. The Packers take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 and with this game expected to be a shootout you should see Crosby on the field often. Look for him to chip in three or four extra points to go along with a few field goals. If you own the kicker in arguably the NFL’s best offense make sure to use him.
Point Projection: 10 points

7. Stephen Gostkowski (New England Patriots) vs. Cincinnati

One of the best kickers in fantasy football, Gostkowski had 129 points last season, which was tied for fifth among place kickers. The Patriots offense has struggled some getting out of the gate in years past; however, if this happens Gostkowski will be there to kick three pointers. Consistency wins in fantasy football and with Gostkowski you have one of the best in the NFL.
Point Projection: 9 points

8. Garrett Hartley (New Orleans Saints) vs. Minnesota

After John Carney struggled with accuracy problems, Hartley took over as kicker in New Orleans in Week 13 and never looked back He made 9-of-11 field goals in the last five games of the season and was a key contributor during the Saints’ Super Bowl victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The Saints explosive offense should score score points in bunches against the Vikings, which should give Hartley plenty of kicking chances. Start him with confidence on Thursday night.
Point Projection: 9 points

9. Billy Cundiff (Baltimore Ravens) vs. New York Jets

After being out of football three years, Cundiff filled in for an injured Phil Dawson with the Cleveland Browns and later replaced Steven Hauschka in Baltimore. Cundiff did a commendable job in both stops as he nailed 18-of-23 field goal attempts and 23 extra points in 12 games.  Now Cundiff finds himself against a New York Jets defense who were near the top of the league in least field goals made against them in 2009; however, the Ravens offense added many weapons in the offseason that provide Cundiff with opportunities to kick.
Point Projection: 9 points

10. Matt Prater (Denver Broncos) vs. Jacksonville

Prater was surprisingly one of the hottest kickers last year connecting on 30-of-35 field goal attempts, including ten from 40 yards or more.  Denver should be able to run the ball against a less than stellar Jacksonville Jaguars defense that, ranked ninth worst in the league in points allowed.  Prater has excellent range and he should be able to show it off on Sunday.
Point Projection:  8 points

11. David Akers (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Green Bay

One of the most consistent kickers in football, Akers finished second among kickers with 147 fantasy football points in 2009.  This week the Eagles draw the Green Bay Packers in what’s sure to be a high scoring shootout from two terrific passing offenses. It’s a good thing the Eagles have an accurate asset like David Akers on their side and fantasy owners should think the same.
Point Projection: 8 points

12. Jay Feely (Arizona Cardinals) vs. St. Louis 

Last season with the New York Jets, Feely converted 30-of-36 field goals and scored 129 fantasy points, good enough to be fifth best among fantasy kickers.  Now a member of the Cardinals Feely finds himself in an offense that has two top playmakers in running back Beanie Wells and all pro-receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
Point Projection: 8 points

13. Sebastian Janikowski (Oakland Raiders) vs. Tennessee

Sebastian Janikowski is a good kicker that plays for a poor offense. The league’s highest paid kicker made the most out of a bad situation last year connecting on 26 field goals, 15 of them for 40 yards or more. The addition of Jason Campbell will help the Raiders passing game move the ball against the Tennessee Titans and lead to an opportunity for Janikowski to boot some long drives into the uprights.
Point Projection:  8 points

14. Dan Carpenter (Miami Dolphins) vs. Buffalo

Carpenter had a breakout year in 2009 hitting 25-of-28 kicks and 37-of-38 extra points. Look for the Dolphins’ offense to be clicking on all cylinders against a Buffalo Bills defense that leaves a lot to be desired. The gameplan will be run heavy and could produce a lot of touchdowns against a soft Bills run defense; however, Carpenter is worth a gamble as a low-end No.1 kicker.
Point Projection: 8 points

15. Joe Nedney (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Seattle

Nedney has the most to gain from an improving offense that is sure to see more red zone chances this year. The 49ers should be able to run, and pass, the ball effectively against the Seattle Seahawks mediocre defensive attack.  Consider Nedney a borderline No.1 kicker in 12-team leagues and a must start in those awkward leagues that require two starting kickers.
Point Projection: 8 points

16. Ryan Longwell (Minnesota Vikings) vs. New Orleans

In 2009, Longwell was the third highest scoring fantasy football kicker connecting on 26 of 28 field goals which was good for 142 fantasy points. Longwell faces the New Orleans Saints in what figures to be a high scoring affair. When Longwell faced the Saints in the NFC Championship game he totaled just four extra points, however, he should see more opportunities this game. It’s the first game of the season and with the offense trying to get in sync some of those drives that are touchdowns at the end of the season might stall in Week 1.
Point Projection: 8 points