Kicker decisions are often treated as an afterthought until a fantasy matchup hinges on just three points on Monday night. This is why streaming kickers based on their offensive environment and field-goal opportunities can provide a significant advantage. In Week 5, several situations stand out, including one kicker who hasn't missed a field goal yet, another whose range has influenced how his team handles stalled drives, and a veteran kicker connected to an offense that consistently creates scoring chances, even when touchdowns aren’t always scored.
The other side of this equation is just as important, as a reliable kicker becomes much less trustworthy when his offense rarely reaches scoring territory or frequently plays from behind. The six recommendations here focus on less obvious choices rather than the usual weekly locks, making Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em decisions particularly valuable.
Start ‘Em
Start of the Week: Spencer Shrader, IND at PIT
Shrader has emerged as one of the most reliable kickers in the league. The Indianapolis Colts consistently place him in situations that highlight his range, and he has responded by successfully making all 11 of his field goal attempts, including all four from 50 yards or longer. In Week 4, he demonstrated his value by connecting on kicks from 48, 52, and 44 yards in London, providing the Colts with points on drives that ended before reaching the end zone.
While Pittsburgh may not be the ideal matchup for high-scoring offenses, this doesn't diminish Shrader's potential. A defense that tightens up near the red zone can actually create more opportunities for field goals compared to one that simply allows touchdowns. The Colts have shown enough offensive consistency to cross midfield frequently, meaning fantasy managers shouldn't rely solely on a shootout to benefit from Shrader.
What's more, distance is no longer an issue for him, because if the Colts reach the Steelers' 35-yard line and stall, they still have a realistic chance to come away with three points. In fantasy leagues that reward longer field goals more heavily, even one successful attempt from over 50 yards can significantly impact a player's week.
Trey Smack, GB vs. CHI
Green Bay's offense has struggled during the opening month of the season. However, kicker Smack's powerful leg has provided the Packers with a way to salvage possessions, even when the offense fails to finish drives. This became particularly evident in Week 4, when his decisive 58-yard field goal helped secure a victory against Tampa Bay. Smack remains available in many fantasy leagues, and his ability to make long-range kicks offers an upside that most widely available kickers simply do not have.
The upcoming game against Chicago could create a scenario where Green Bay needs to remain aggressive for all four quarters, especially if the Bears continue to move the ball effectively and prevent the Packers from settling into a conservative lead. Such a competitive matchup generally results in more scoring opportunities, and even if Green Bay's offense continues to have trouble finishing drives, frequent trips into Chicago's territory can still lead to a productive fantasy performance.
The main concern is the offense itself, because poor protection and inconsistent rushing can derail drives before the team reaches field-goal range. However, the matchup offers enough potential for scoring to justify taking a chance on Smack, rather than focusing solely on Green Bay's average points per game.
Matt Gay, LV at NE
Las Vegas has quietly become one of the better environments for kicker production, primarily because the Raiders have scored at least 26 points in every game. They have demonstrated the ability to consistently move the ball, even against stronger defenses. In Week 4, Gay took advantage of this by successfully converting four field goals against Kansas City, making kicks from 48, 44, 48, and 32 yards. He remains perfect on his attempts this season.
New England has not been particularly generous to opposing kickers in their first four games, but this may be less significant when considering the strength of the Las Vegas offense, which has consistently created scoring opportunities. The Raiders do not need to score 30 points again for this play to be effective, and even two field goals and a few extra points could result in a solid fantasy score. Additionally, if there are multiple stalled drives near the Patriots' 30-yard line, it could elevate his scoring even further.
While the outdoor setting in Foxborough introduces some variability compared to a dome game, the early October weather is unlikely to pose significant issues for fantasy managers considering a kicker connected to a productive offense.
Sit ‘Em
Sit of the Week: Riley Patterson, MIA vs. CIN
Patterson's situation is less about his individual skills and more due to an offense that has struggled to create consistent scoring opportunities. For instance, Miami only scored 10 points against Minnesota in Week 4. This trend over the first month of the season has left their kicker relying on infrequent drives that reach field-goal range, rather than enjoying a steady flow of chances. NFL.com has also placed Patterson among its recommended sits for Week 5, and he is ranked near the bottom of the kicker position this week. Although Cincinnati's defense isn't strong enough to warrant completely avoiding Patterson based solely on the matchup, Miami's lack of offensive consistency raises doubts about trusting this situation, particularly when there are better streaming options available from teams that are more regularly crossing midfield.
The main concern for fantasy players is that low-scoring games can still result in poor performance for kickers if drives end in punts instead of field goals. Unfortunately, Miami has spent too much time in that kind of scenario.
Article Continues BelowJoey Slye, TEN vs. HOU
Tennessee's offense has been hard to trust for fantasy purposes due to its struggle to sustain drives, which limits opportunities for kickers who typically need the team to reach at least the opponent’s 35-yard line to be effective. The situation is further complicated by Houston's defense, which can end possessions early, and this creates a different risk profile compared to matchups where Tennessee can move the ball effectively, only to stall in scoring territory.
While the Titans might still generate one or two kicking opportunities, the path to achieving a meaningful fantasy score is narrow, given the offense's difficulty in controlling games. Although Slye has the leg strength to make long-distance kicks, his range is only valuable if the offense can get close enough to take advantage of it. Therefore, managers should prioritize kickers who are part of more reliable scoring environments.
Daniel Carlson, NO vs. MIN
Carlson is the least reliable kicker in this group because New Orleans plays an aggressive style that creates scoring opportunities, yet the challenging matchup against a Minnesota defense, known for disrupting opposing offenses, makes him hard to trust.
The Saints are inclined to push the tempo and take chances, which can lead to field-goal opportunities when drives stall, but this same approach can also result in turnovers, fourth-down attempts, and possessions that end before the kicking unit even gets involved. Carlson missed a 52-yard attempt on Monday night, and while one miss shouldn't dictate a fantasy decision, the combination of a tough matchup and an unpredictable offense makes it difficult to rely on him for consistent points.
Kickers may be the least glamorous position in fantasy football, but Week 5 highlights a clear distinction between offenses that consistently create opportunities and those that rely on their kicker for just a couple of chances. This makes matchup-based streaming much more valuable than simply sticking with the same kicker each week.