So you have decided to enter the wonderful world of fantasy kickers. I admire you for your strength, determination and good looks. Unlike D/STs, punts are harder to draft because teams score touchdowns rather than field goals. There are some poets who are getting a leg up on the competition though.
If your kicker can hit 50+ yard field goals with some regularity, they will be used more than those who can’t. If teams can score points instead of getting penalized, they’ll take that shot. Last season there were seven punts of eight or more from 50+ yards. But, there is one poet that stands out, his name is Brandon Aubrey. He holds the 60+yard field goal record and led the league with 11 50+yard field goals last season. It is truly a unicorn in that regard.
When can Brandon O’Brien be drafted?
Yes, you want to protect kickers in your draft, but if possible I want to grab a kicker with big feet. The real question is whether or not you should try to snag Aubrey first. Looking at his ADP on sites isn’t much help, because it’s all over the map. It’s definitely the first buff to pick up, but a lot depends on your league settings. Do you get 6 points for a 60 yard field goal? Are there bonuses for 50+ yards? How many starters are playing? If you start with an eight compared to a 10+, the kicker slot will take a larger percentage of your total fantasy points for the week. If that’s more spread out, it’s harder for a kicker to make a significant impact week in and week out.
I see no reason to reach Aubrey unless your setup is super friendly, but I also see no reason to set him up with the rest of the riff-raff. If he was somehow delayed, hold him back a round or two longer than you would have. It can beat you for two weeks consistently giving you a good average.
In general, teams are more likely to kick a field goal if they have a lead, so we look for turnovers on a strong offense. Domes really help. And unless you have Aubrey or a really hot shot, don’t be afraid to throw your guy in for a pick-up offense or a strong matchup.