Kicker Tiers to Target in 2025 Fantasy Football
Fantasy managers often vent about missed field goals and the debate over whether kickers belong in fantasy rosters. Yet the 2025 outlook suggests kickers remain replaceable and opportunity-driven, not a must-have panic pick. Here’s a structured look at the 2025 kicker tiers, with notes on why these players could be every-week starters in 12-team leagues—or strong streaming options if you prefer to wait.
Tier One
– Brandon Aubrey (DAL): The Cowboys leaned on field goals heavily in 2024, and Aubrey led the league in attempts despite seven misses. He’s in a strong position to be an every-week option again in 2025.
– Harrison Butker (KC): Positive game scripts year after year support Butker. Even if his accuracy has slipped, the volume and trusted offense keep him reliable.
– Chris Boswell (PIT): Pittsburgh’s offense and defense typically generate plenty of opportunities. Boswell has been a high-volume kicker, converting at a very high rate (over 93% in the past two seasons) and delivering several long-range kicks.
– Cameron Dicker (LAC): The Chargers had ample field goal opportunities in 2024. With a conservative coaching approach on fourth downs and a high number of attempts, Dicker could maintain steady fantasy value.
Tier Two
– Ka’imi Fairbairn (HOU): Fairbairn boasts a solid career conversion rate (around 88%) and Houston’s tendency to generate FG attempts could keep him in play.
– Jake Moody (SF): Moody is returning from injury and has shown the mental adjustments to regain his form. San Francisco’s offense tends to produce multiple scoring opportunities, which bodes well if Moody returns to form.
– Wil Lutz (DEN): Lutz posted an excellent 91% success rate in 2024, and Payton’s offense often gives kickers consistent chances via field goals.
– Cam Little (JAC): Little impressed with 27 of 29 field goals and perfect extra points in 2024, including several from deep range. He has a favorable setup in Jacksonville’s offense.
Tier Three
– Chase McLaughlin (TB): Tampa Bay’s red-zone efficiency and fourth-down decisions kept McLaughlin busy; he’s a viable weekly option in the right matchups.
– Jake Bates (DET): Detroit’s aggressive approach on fourth downs in some games can cap the kicker’s opportunities, but Bates can still be a streaming option when the matchup is favorable.
– Younghoe Koo (ATL): After a down 2024, Koo could rebound if Atlanta sustains more red-zone chances and has solid field goal opportunities.
– Tyler Loop (BAL): With Ravens coaching praising him and a history of solid leg work, Loop is a name to monitor as he settles in.
– Jason Sanders (MIA), Jake Elliott (PHI), Tyler Bass (BUF), Matt Gay (WAS): All offer potential depending on team offensive performance and game scripts in 2025.
Tier Four
– Matthew Wright (CAR), Daniel Carlson (LV), Jason Myers (SEA), Evan McPherson (CIN), Chad Ryland (ARI), Cairo Santos (CHI): These kickers sit further down the ladder but can surprise in favorable offenses or as streaming options when opportunities arise.
Why these tiers make sense
– Kickers are heavily influenced by game script and coach decisions. Teams known for conservative fourth-down choices typically generate more field-goal attempts, which boosts a kicker’s floor. Examples include the Chargers, Steelers, Texans, and, at times, the Ravens.
– A kicker’s value is tied to offense efficiency and red-zone success. When a team settles for field goals rather than rushing touchdowns, the kicker becomes a reliable point source.
– The landscape is dynamic; while a “Kicker To Have” once dominated, actionable value now lies in multiple players who can step up, depending on the season’s flow and schedule.
Draft strategy suggestions
– Don’t overpay for a single kicker. The era of pegging a top-four pick on one kicker is fading; you’re better off securing strength elsewhere and streaming kickers as needed.
– Consider a mid-to-late Round One or Two anchor if you’re risk-tavorable and believe your offense will consistently produce red-zone opportunities; otherwise, you can build flexibility by drafting a kicker later and streaming based on matchups.
– Monitor offseason roster moves and coaching tendencies. A team’s fourth-down philosophy and offensive line health can shift a kicker’s value dramatically from 2024 to 2025.
Additional perspectives and value
– The 2025 outlook continues to favor kickers who are attached to offenses with steady scoring drive efficiency and favorable home environments, particularly in stadiums with weather advantages and strong defenses that keep the offense nearby but not always finishing drives in the end zone.
– For managers prioritizing safety and consistency, Tier One and Tier Two options provide steadier floors, while Tier Three and Four can offer upside if you’re comfortable with streaming.
Summary
The 2025 kicker landscape emphasizes replaceability and opportunity rather than a single dominant option. By focusing on kickers with consistent volume, favorable coaching tendencies, and offenses capable of generating multiple scoring chances, fantasy managers can build steady points through a mix of low-risk anchors and smart streaming.
Optional bonus: drafting tips for building a balanced squad
– Early rounds: prioritize high-scoring positions and a strong core of reliable starters.
– Mid rounds: consider a kicker from Tier One or Two if your plan calls for a stable weekly baseline.
– Late rounds and pre-season: earmark a couple of streaming candidates from Tier Three or Tier Four, ready to deploy based on matchups and opponent weaknesses.
If you’d like, I can tailor this tier guidance to your specific league format, scoring rules, and preferred drafting slot to help you build a kicker strategy that fits your team.