Fantasy Football Rankings & Start/Sit

Early season: only 3 weeks of 2026 data so far, so these projections lean on last season's numbers. Confidence is marked on every player and improves each week.

Kickers are the most random position in fantasy: one missed kick or one stalled drive swings a week, so the gaps between them are small. Don't spend a real pick here. Take the best kicker on your league's free list each week. Scoring is the same in every format, so the scoring switch above doesn't change these.

1Spencer Shrader▲K · IND@WASMUST STARTScored 17 last game, typical 9.911.7
8–15 rangeMUST START
Recent form
6
14
17
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 9.9 a game
This week's matchup
@WASGame page →
Expected team score
~26 pts
Vegas line
IND favored by 4.5
Game total
46.5
Why we say must start
- Projected 11.7 points, #1 among kickers this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- Scored 17 points last game against a typical 9.9 (trending up).
- IND's offense is expected to score about 26 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 12.3 points a game, making 100% of field goals (3 from 50+).
Projection 11.7 · High confidence · Full player page →
2Will Reichard▲K · MINvsMIAMUST STARTScored 16 last game, typical 9.510.6
7–14 rangeMUST START
Recent form
7
10
16
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 9.5 a game
This week's matchup
vsMIAGame page →
Expected team score
~24 pts
Vegas line
MIN favored by 10
Game total
38.5
Why we say must start
- Projected 10.6 points, #2 among kickers this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- Scored 16 points last game against a typical 9.5 (trending up).
- Averaging 11 points a game, making 100% of field goals (2 from 50+).
Projection 10.6 · High confidence · Full player page →
3Brandon AubreyK · DAL@HOUMUST STARTProjected 10.5 · #3 among kickers10.5
7–13 rangeMUST START
Recent form
1
16
11
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 10.2 a game
This week's matchup
@HOUGame page →
Expected team score
~23 pts
Vegas line
DAL underdogs by 3
Game total
48.5
Wind
10 mph
Why we say must start
- Projected 10.5 points, #3 among kickers this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- Averaging 9.3 points a game, making 100% of field goals.
Projection 10.5 · High confidence · Full player page →
4Ka'imi Fairbairn▼K · HOUvsDALMUST STARTHOU expected to score ~26, plenty of drives10.4
7–13 rangeMUST START
Recent form
9
6
5
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 11.8 a game
This week's matchup
vsDALGame page →
Expected team score
~26 pts
Vegas line
HOU favored by 3
Game total
48.5
Wind
10 mph
Why we say must start
- Projected 10.4 points, #4 among kickers this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- HOU's offense is expected to score about 26 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Concern: Scored 5 points last game against a typical 11.8 (trending down).
- Averaging 6.7 points a game, making 80% of field goals.
Projection 10.4 · High confidence · Full player page →
5Evan McPhersonK · CINvsJAXSTARTCIN expected to score ~27, plenty of drives10.3
7–13 rangeSTART
Recent form
19
12
11
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 8.2 a game
This week's matchup
vsJAXGame page →
Expected team score
~27 pts
Vegas line
CIN favored by 2.5
Game total
51.5
Why we say start
- Projected 10.3 points, #5 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- CIN's offense is expected to score about 27 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 14 points a game, making 100% of field goals (5 from 50+).
Projection 10.3 · High confidence · Full player page →
6Jason MyersK · SEAvsLACSTARTProjected 10.2 · #6 among kickers10.2
7–13 rangeSTART
Recent form
7
7
9
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 10.9 a game
This week's matchup
vsLACGame page →
Expected team score
~25 pts
Vegas line
SEA favored by 7
Game total
42.5
Why we say start
- Projected 10.2 points, #6 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Averaging 7.7 points a game.
Projection 10.2 · High confidence · Full player page →
7Chase McLaughlinK · TBvsGBSTARTProjected 9.6 · #7 among kickers9.6
6–13 rangeSTART
Recent form
11
16
12
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 8.8 a game
This week's matchup
vsGBGame page →
Expected team score
~18 pts
Vegas line
TB underdogs by 3
Game total
38.5
Why we say start
- Projected 9.6 points, #7 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Concern: TB's offense is expected to score only about 18 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 13 points a game, making 100% of field goals (3 from 50+).
Projection 9.6 · High confidence · Full player page →
8Tyler LoopK · BALvsTENSTARTBAL expected to score ~27, plenty of drives9.4
6–12 rangeSTART
Recent form
14
6
12
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 8.2 a game
This week's matchup
vsTENGame page →
Expected team score
~27 pts
Vegas line
BAL favored by 11.5
Game total
42.5
Why we say start
- Projected 9.4 points, #8 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- BAL's offense is expected to score about 27 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 10.7 points a game, making 100% of field goals (2 from 50+).
Projection 9.4 · High confidence · Full player page →
9Harrison ButkerK · KC@LVSTARTKC expected to score ~26, plenty of drives9.3
6–12 rangeSTART
Recent form
7
16
5
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 8.3 a game
This week's matchup
@LVGame page →
Expected team score
~26 pts
Vegas line
KC favored by 4.5
Game total
47.5
Why we say start
- Projected 9.3 points, #9 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- KC's offense is expected to score about 26 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 9.3 points a game, making 75% of field goals.
Projection 9.3 · High confidence · Full player page →
10Cairo SantosK · CHIvsNYJSTARTProjected 8.9 · #10 among kickers8.9
5–12 rangeSTART
Recent form
12
5
10
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 9.0 a game
This week's matchup
vsNYJGame page →
Expected team score
~24 pts
Vegas line
CHI favored by 3.5
Game total
43.5
Wind
10 mph
Why we say start
- Projected 8.9 points, #10 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Averaging 9 points a game.
Projection 8.9 · High confidence · Full player page →
11Eddy PineiroK · SFvsDENSTARTSF expected to score ~25, plenty of drives8.8
5–12 rangeSTART
Recent form
10
5
6
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 9.5 a game
This week's matchup
vsDENGame page →
Expected team score
~25 pts
Vegas line
SF favored by 3
Game total
47.5
Why we say start
- Projected 8.8 points, #11 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- SF's offense is expected to score about 25 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 7 points a game (2 from 50+).
Projection 8.8 · High confidence · Full player page →
12Jake BatesK · DET@CARSTARTDET expected to score ~27, plenty of drives8.6
5–12 rangeSTART
Recent form
7
7
7
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 8.5 a game
This week's matchup
@CARGame page →
Expected team score
~27 pts
Vegas line
DET favored by 3.5
Game total
50.5
Why we say start
- Projected 8.6 points, #12 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- DET's offense is expected to score about 27 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 7 points a game.
Projection 8.6 · High confidence · Full player page →
13Cam Little▼K · JAX@CINBENCHScored 4 last game, typical 9.28.6
5–12 rangeBENCH
Recent form
12
7
4
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 9.2 a game
This week's matchup
@CINGame page →
Expected team score
~25 pts
Vegas line
JAX underdogs by 2.5
Game total
51.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 8.6 points, #13 among kickers this week, 0.0 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Scored 4 points last game against a typical 9.2 (trending down).
- Averaging 7.7 points a game, making 67% of field goals.
Projection 8.6 · High confidence · Full player page →
14Harrison Mevis▲K · LA@PHIBENCHProjected 8.5 · 0.1 behind #128.5
5–11 rangeBENCH
Recent form
1
3
16
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 8.8 a game
This week's matchup
@PHIGame page →
Expected team score
~23 pts
Vegas line
LA favored by 3.5
Game total
42.5
Wind
10 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 8.5 points, #14 among kickers this week, 0.1 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Upside: Scored 16 points last game against a typical 8.8 (trending up).
- Averaging 6.7 points a game, making 80% of field goals.
Projection 8.5 · High confidence · Full player page →
15Chris Boswell▲K · PIT@CLEBENCHProjected 8.3 · 0.3 behind #123.0
scored · proj 8.3BENCH
Recent form
8
4
13
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 8.6 a game
This week's matchup
@CLEGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
PIT favored by 2.5
Game total
38.5
Wind
11 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 8.3 points, #15 among kickers this week, 0.3 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Upside: Scored 13 points last game against a typical 8.6 (trending up).
- Averaging 8.3 points a game, making 75% of field goals.
Projection 8.3 · High confidence · Full player page →
16Chad Ryland▲K · ARI@NYGBENCHProjected 8.1 · 0.5 behind #128.1
5–11 rangeBENCH
Recent form
15
1
14
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 7.4 a game
This week's matchup
@NYGGame page →
Expected team score
~24 pts
Vegas line
ARI favored by 2.5
Game total
44.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 8.1 points, #16 among kickers this week, 0.5 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Upside: Scored 14 points last game against a typical 7.4 (trending up).
- Averaging 10 points a game, making 88% of field goals.
Projection 8.1 · High confidence · Full player page →
17Matt Gay▲K · LVvsKCBENCHProjected 8.1 · 0.5 behind #128.1
5–11 rangeBENCH
Recent form
10
8
12
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 7.4 a game
This week's matchup
vsKCGame page →
Expected team score
~22 pts
Vegas line
LV underdogs by 4.5
Game total
47.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 8.1 points, #17 among kickers this week, 0.5 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Upside: Scored 12 points last game against a typical 7.4 (trending up).
- Averaging 10 points a game, making 100% of field goals.
Projection 8.1 · High confidence · Full player page →
18Ryan Fitzgerald▲K · CARvsDETBENCHProjected 7.9 · 0.7 behind #127.9
4–11 rangeBENCH
Recent form
8
10
15
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 6.5 a game
This week's matchup
vsDETGame page →
Expected team score
~24 pts
Vegas line
CAR underdogs by 3.5
Game total
50.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.9 points, #18 among kickers this week, 0.7 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Upside: Scored 15 points last game against a typical 6.5 (trending up).
- Averaging 11 points a game, making 100% of field goals.
Projection 7.9 · High confidence · Full player page →
19Tyler BassK · BUFvsNEBENCHProjected 7.8 · 0.8 behind #127.8
4–11 rangeBENCH
Recent form
13
4
6
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
vsNEGame page →
Expected team score
~28 pts
Vegas line
BUF favored by 7
Game total
49.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.8 points, #19 among kickers this week, 0.8 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Upside: BUF's offense is expected to score about 28 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 7.7 points a game.
Projection 7.8 · High confidence · Full player page →
20Andy BorregalesK · NE@BUFBENCHProjected 7.7 · 0.9 behind #127.7
4–11 rangeBENCH
Recent form
6
8
6
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 8.4 a game
This week's matchup
@BUFGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
NE underdogs by 7
Game total
49.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.7 points, #20 among kickers this week, 0.9 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Averaging 6.7 points a game, making 71% of field goals.
Projection 7.7 · High confidence · Full player page →
21Dominic Zvada▲K · NYGvsARIBENCHProjected 7.7 · #21 among kickers7.7
4–11 rangeBENCH
Recent form
4
8
12
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
vsARIGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
NYG underdogs by 2.5
Game total
44.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.7 points, #21 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Upside: Scored 12 points last game against a typical 7.5 (trending up).
- Averaging 8 points a game, making 100% of field goals.
Projection 7.7 · High confidence · Full player page →
22Drew StevensK · WASvsINDBENCHProjected 7.6 · #22 among kickers7.6
4–11 rangeBENCH
Recent form
5
8
10
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
vsINDGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
WAS underdogs by 4.5
Game total
46.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.6 points, #22 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Averaging 7.7 points a game, making 71% of field goals (2 from 50+).
Projection 7.6 · High confidence · Full player page →
23Nick FolkK · ATL@NOBENCHProjected 7.6 · #23 among kickers7.6
4–11 rangeBENCH
Recent form
8
3
10
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 8.0 a game
This week's matchup
@NOGame page →
Expected team score
~23 pts
Vegas line
ATL underdogs by 2.5
Game total
47.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.6 points, #23 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Averaging 7 points a game, making 63% of field goals.
Projection 7.6 · High confidence · Full player page →
24Daniel CarlsonK · NOvsATLBENCHProjected 7.4 · #24 among kickers7.4
4–10 rangeBENCH
Recent form
5
13
3
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 6.9 a game
This week's matchup
vsATLGame page →
Expected team score
~25 pts
Vegas line
NO favored by 2.5
Game total
47.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.4 points, #24 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Upside: NO's offense is expected to score about 25 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 7 points a game, making 80% of field goals.
Projection 7.4 · High confidence · Full player page →
25Andre SzmytK · CLEvsPITBENCHCLE expected to score only ~18, fewer chances12.0
scored · proj 7.4BENCH
Recent form
4
13
9
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 7.1 a game
This week's matchup
vsPITGame page →
Expected team score
~18 pts
Vegas line
CLE underdogs by 2.5
Game total
38.5
Wind
11 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.4 points, #25 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- CLE's offense is expected to score only about 18 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 8.7 points a game, making 100% of field goals.
Projection 7.4 · High confidence · Full player page →
26Cameron DickerK · LAC@SEABENCHLAC expected to score only ~18, fewer chances7.2
4–10 rangeBENCH
Recent form
2
1
9
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 9.5 a game
This week's matchup
@SEAGame page →
Expected team score
~18 pts
Vegas line
LAC underdogs by 7
Game total
42.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.2 points, #26 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- LAC's offense is expected to score only about 18 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 4 points a game, making 60% of field goals.
Projection 7.2 · High confidence · Full player page →
27Jason SandersK · NYJ@CHIBENCHProjected 7.0 · #27 among kickers7.0
3–10 rangeBENCH
Recent form
14
5
5
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
@CHIGame page →
Expected team score
~20 pts
Vegas line
NYJ underdogs by 3.5
Game total
43.5
Wind
10 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.0 points, #27 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Averaging 8 points a game, making 83% of field goals (2 from 50+).
Projection 7.0 · High confidence · Full player page →
28Trey Smack▼K · GB@TBBENCHScored 2 last game, typical 7.56.9
3–10 rangeBENCH
Recent form
12
8
2
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
@TBGame page →
Expected team score
~21 pts
Vegas line
GB favored by 3
Game total
38.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.9 points, #28 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Scored 2 points last game against a typical 7.5 (trending down).
- Averaging 7.3 points a game, making 100% of field goals.
Projection 6.9 · High confidence · Full player page →
29Wil Lutz▼K · DEN@SFBENCHScored 1 last game, typical 7.86.8
3–10 rangeBENCH
Recent form
4
9
1
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 7.8 a game
This week's matchup
@SFGame page →
Expected team score
~22 pts
Vegas line
DEN underdogs by 3
Game total
47.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.8 points, #29 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Scored 1 points last game against a typical 7.8 (trending down).
- Averaging 4.7 points a game.
Projection 6.8 · High confidence · Full player page →
30Riley Patterson▼K · MIA@MINBENCHScored 4 last game, typical 8.16.5
3–9 rangeBENCH
Recent form
7
6
4
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 8.1 a game
This week's matchup
@MINGame page →
Expected team score
~14 pts
Vegas line
MIA underdogs by 10
Game total
38.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.5 points, #30 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Scored 4 points last game against a typical 8.1 (trending down).
- MIA's offense is expected to score only about 14 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 5.7 points a game, making 71% of field goals.
Projection 6.5 · High confidence · Full player page →
31Joey Slye▼K · TEN@BALBENCHScored 0 last game, typical 8.16.1
3–9 rangeBENCH
Recent form
5
8
0
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 8.1 a game
This week's matchup
@BALGame page →
Expected team score
~16 pts
Vegas line
TEN underdogs by 11.5
Game total
42.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.1 points, #31 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Scored 0 points last game against a typical 8.1 (trending down).
- TEN's offense is expected to score only about 16 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 4.3 points a game.
Projection 6.1 · High confidence · Full player page →
32Jake Elliott▼K · PHIvsLABENCHScored 1 last game, typical 6.75.8
2–9 rangeBENCH
Recent form
6
8
1
W1W2W3
Dashed line: the usual 6.7 a game
This week's matchup
vsLAGame page →
Expected team score
~20 pts
Vegas line
PHI underdogs by 3.5
Game total
42.5
Wind
10 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 5.8 points, #32 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Scored 1 points last game against a typical 6.7 (trending down).
- PHI's offense is expected to score only about 20 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 5 points a game.
Projection 5.8 · High confidence · Full player page →

How we rank

Each player starts from how he scored per game last season, then we shift toward this season's games as they pile up (a few games in, this season counts as much as last). That gives a base rate for the format you picked.

We then adjust for this week's game: how many points the opponent has allowed to that position compared with the league average, how many points Vegas expects the team to score, wind for passing games, and the injury report. Players ruled out are marked Out. Doubtful and questionable players are discounted, and their confidence drops.

The verdict comes from where he ranks at his position. "Must start" and "Start" are the players you should be starting in a typical 12-team league, "Flex" is a fair depth play, and "Bench" means look elsewhere. The range is the middle half of likely outcomes, so about half of his scores should land inside it. Running backs, receivers and tight ends swing more than quarterbacks. Our scorecard checks all of this against what really happened.

Projections are estimates, not guarantees. Player stats from nflverse (CC-BY 4.0), betting lines from the NFL schedule data, injuries from ESPN's public injury report. Kicker and defense stats come from the same source and scoring is the common default.