Before we get into this, let’s be clear about a few things. This ranking is not in the order of who I think the best kickers in the NFL are. If it was, Justin Tucker would be first, Evan McPherson would likely be second, and it definitely wouldn’t reach 25 names.
Rather, these rankings are a guess of which kickers I believe will have the most opportunity to accumulate points. It weighs offenses that could potentially move the ball on a consistent basis but not finish drives vs. offenses that will simply score a lot of points vs. offenses that will have a harder time, and we try to figure it out from there.
Let’s get into it.
1
Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
2021 Fantasy PPG: 9.5 (4th)
2021 Stats: 35-37 FG (94.6%) & 32-32 XP in 17 games
The Ravens will move the ball, but who can they trust to finish drives outside of Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews?
2
Nick Folk, New England Patriots
2021 Fantasy PPG: 10.1 (2nd)
2021 Stats: 36-39 FG (92.3%) & 30-33 XP in 17 games
The Patriots have a kicker who has been incredibly accurate and an offense short on playmakers trusted to consistently score touchdowns. It could be another big year for Folk.
3
Greg Joseph, Minnesota Vikings
2021 Fantasy PPG: 9.2 (7th)
2021 Stats: 33-38 FG (86.8%) & 36-40 XP in 17 games
Just three kickers attempted more field goals than Joseph last season and only two made more 50 yarders.
4
Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders
2021 Fantasy PPG: 10.2 (1st)
2021 Stats: 40-43 FG (93%) & 30-33 XP
Carlson slides in these rankings because I expect a few of those field goals from last season to be extra points this year.
5
Matt Prater, Arizona Cardinals
2021 Fantasy PPG: 9.1 (8th)
2021 Stats: 30-37 FG (81.1%) & 47-49 XP
Prater could be very busy early in the season as the Cardinals attempt to put up points without DeAndre Hopkins.
6
Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals
2021 Fantasy PPG: 9.6 (3rd)
2021 Stats: 28-33 FG (84.8%) & 46-48 XP
It’s hard to expect McPherson to make (or attempt) a league-best nine 50-yard field goals again. So he slides a little.
7
Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers
2021 Fantasy PPG: 7.9 (21st)
2021 Stats: 25-34 FG (73.5%) & 49-51 XP
This is a major leap, but Crosby has bounced back from bad seasons in the past. And the Packers will need him to do it again as Aaron Rodgers figures out who he can trust to replace Davante Adams.
8
Matt Gay, Los Angeles Rams
2021 Fantasy PPG: 9.4 (6th)
2021 Stats: 32-34 FG (94.1%) & 48-49 XP
The Rams will be a threat to score every time they touch the ball, giving Gay a pretty comfortable points floor.
9
Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles
2021 Fantasy PPG: 8.8 (10th)
2021 Stats: 30-33 FG (90.9%) & 44-44 XP
Jalen Hurts’ ability to move the ball with his legs will have the Eagles in plus territory very often.
10
Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs
2021 Fantasy PPG: 8.8 (11th)
2021 Stats: 25-28 FG (89.3%) & 47-49 XP
I think we could see a few of those extra points turn into field goal attempts for Butker and boost his average this season.
11
Next 15
11. Tyler Bass, Buffalo Bills
12. Ryan Succop, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
13. Dustin Hopkins, Los Angeles Chargers
14. Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos
15. Will Lutz, New Orleans Saints
16. Graham Gano, New York Giants
17. Brett Maher, Dallas Cowboys
18. Jason Sanders, Miami Dolphins
19. Randy Bullock, Tennessee Titans
20. Rodrigo Blankenship, Indianapolis Colts
21. Robbie Gould, San Francisco 49ers
22. Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers
23. Joey Slye, Washington Commanders
24. Ryan Santoso, Jacksonville Jaguars
25. Cairo Santos, Chicago Bears
