NFL Fantasy Football Week 16: Kicker rankings

Heading into Week 16, kickers could make a significant contribution to your fantasy football matchups, but just who should you be looking to pick?

Daniel Carlson, Tyler Bass and Nick Folk are now the three most prolific fantasy kickers through Week 15. All three players enjoyed positive performances in Week 15, and Carlson has a precarious one-point lead at the top.

The Las Vegas Raiders kicker sits on 136 fantasy points, while both Bass and Folk are close behind on 135.

With bye weeks having come to an end in Week 14, a starting kicker is now guaranteed to play. No prospective team that has qualified for the postseason has ever rested their kicker.

All three of the NFL’s premiere kickers will play in Week 16, but it’s going to be difficult for you to claim any of them if you haven’t already done so.

Who are the best available Fantasy Football kickers in Week 15?

#1 Daniel Carlson – Las Vegas Raiders @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Daniel Carlson has been sensational for the Las Vegas Raiders and fantasy football players in 2022

Daniel Carlson is back on top. He has been one of the best performing kickers in the opening quarter of the season and the final quarter of the campaign.

While a difficult middle period impacted his productivity, he still deserves his place atop this list.

Carlson has averaged 9.7 fantasy points per game which leads the league, and he has made 29 of his 32 field-goal attempts.

His return of 29 out of 30 extra-point attempts has taken his contribution to the Raiders’ season to 116 points in 14 games.

He will get chances against a ropy Pittsburgh Steelers team in Week 16, and rather curiously Carlson is still yet to ever miss a field goal against the Steelers.

#2 Tyler Bass – Buffalo Bills @ Chicago Bears

A poor run of form has knocked Tyler Bass off top spot

If Week 14 was bad for Tyler Bass, then his Week 15 return was even worse. He recorded just six points as the Buffalo Bills took on the Miami Dolphins in blizzard conditions.

As predicted, it was an extremely challenging night for kickers, with the weather encouraging teams to avoid utilizing their special teams players.

Bass had just one field-goal attempt against the Dolphins and was successful, although it continued a recent trend where he just can’t get on the field.

He hasn’t missed a single field goal in his last five games, but in four of those, he hasn’t attempted more than two.

Christmas in Chicago promises to be another snowy affair, which could impact the Bills’ Week 16 matchup.

Bass may not get as many opportunities, so it might be smart to try and trade him ahead of Week 16.

#3 Nick Folk – New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Nick Folk continues to benefit from a Patriots offense that lacks cutting edge

Nick Folk continues to rise, and the New England Patriots' offense continues to lack a killer instinct.

In Week 15, Folk scored 13 fantasy football points as he was successful in all three of his attempted field-goals against the Raiders.

Folk outperformed his season average of 9.6 points per game and has deservedly risen to third place on this list.

He is a serious contender to finish the 2022 season as the best kicker in fantasy football.

The Bengals are heavy favorites against the Pats, but there is likely to be numerous chances for Folk on the field. Use this to your advantage and select him in Week 16, because so many of your rivals will see ‘Bengals’ and just assume Folk won’t score many points.

#4 Justin Tucker – Baltimore Ravens vs. Atlanta Falcons

Justin Tucker blew it in Week 15 defeat to the Cleveland Browns

Justin Tucker has dropped out of the top three after a dismal Week 15 performance against the Cleveland Browns.

Having been so consistent throughout the 2022 NFL season, the veteran missed two of his three field goal attempts and fell well below his season average of 9.6 fantasy football points per game.

In Week 16, the Baltimore Ravens take on the Atlanta Falcons, and it isn’t yet clear whether Lamar Jackson will be healthy enough to play.

This has a huge impact on how the Ravens are able to play offensively and set up chances for Tucker to kick.

Normally, you would suggest Tucker to be a reliable kicker, but his recent form has let him down. On paper, this should be a good matchup for him. However, it’s always a risk selecting a kicker low on confidence.

#5 Brett Maher – Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Brett Maher of the Dallas Cowboys could be a smart pick for your fantasy football team in Week 16

In Week 16, the Dallas Cowboys will host the league-leading Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles have an average run defense, which plays right into the hands of Dallas’ offense.

There will be yards for Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, especially throughout midfield.

Philadelphia, though, is brilliant at stopping drives in the redzone, and this will bring Brett Maher into play.

He scored 12 fantasy points in Week 15 and will look to take this confidence into Week 16.

Maher’s season average is 9.5, and he has propelled himself back into the top five fantasy kickers.

If the Eagles can stop the Dallas Cowboys in the redzone, Maher will enter the field and get a lot of chances to score points in Week 16.

Top 10 Fantasy Football kickers in Week 16

This list is ranked by fantasy points scored.

1. Daniel Carlson – 136 points

2. Tyler Bass – 135 points

3. Nick Folk – 135 points

4. Justin Tucker – 134 points

5. Brett Maher – 133 points

6. Jason Myers – 131 points

7. Greg Zuerlein – 122 points

8. Chase McLaughlin – 121 points

9. Younghoe Koo – 120 points

10. Eddy Pineiro – 120 points