Ok, if you\u2019re reading our Top 10 Fantasy Kickers list, one of the following statements is true:\u00a0 (i) you\u2019re a degenerate gambler (the Machine prefers \u201csports enthusiast\u201d); (ii) you\u2019re a family member of an NFL kicker, or (iii) you\u2019re really into all things fantasy (saving up for Comic Con 2013 baby!).\u00a0 Whatever your reason, the Machine likes it.\u00a0 In fact, we know you\u2019re reading this because drafting the right kicker matters.\u00a0 Sure, a run on kickers usually starts in round 16 (of 16).\u00a0 However, did you know the difference between the #1 scoring kicker last year (David Akers) and the #10 scoring kicker (Jason Hanson) was 51 pts, which equals to more than 3 pts each week (how many games did you lose by less than three points last year?).\u00a0 That\u2019s some knowledge you need to know.\u00a0 Now, what you need to know is who the right kicker is.\u00a0 We got you covered for that.\u00a0 (FGM\/FGA\/50+\/PAT).<\/p>\n
1. Sebastian Janikowski<\/strong> (31\/35\/7\/36).\u00a0 Al may have been crazy for drafting him in the first round (17th<\/sup> overall) of the 2000 Draft, but come on, was there any doubt he\u2019d be a Raider.\u00a0 We love Seabass.\u00a0 What\u2019s not to love about a 6\u20192\u201d 250 lb kicker that drinks vodka for breakfast, loves to get in bar fights, and oh yeah, can kick the ball out of the stadium.\u00a0 Dude\u2019s got a left foot of gold.\u00a0 He\u2019s especially gold in leagues that give bonus points for 50+ yarders.\u00a0 Seabass tied for the league lead with 7 (out of 10) 50+ yarders, including a 63 yard bomb.\u00a0 He was also consistent\u2026he only missed one FG under 50 yards.\u00a0 In 2012, da Raiders should have a more potent offense , which equates to more field goals and PATs.\u00a0 Kick some ass Seabass!<\/p>\n 2. Rob Bironas <\/strong>(29\/32\/6\/34).\u00a0 <\/strong>Rob nailed 6 of 7 50+ yarders last year, and only missed 3 FGs.\u00a0 We like the Titans to be able to move the ball a little better in 2012, but not that much better where they\u2019ll be scoring a ton more touchdowns.\u00a0 Look for the offense to breakdown in the red zone, as teams put 11 in the box and force Locker to throw (they\u2019ll still run CJ on 3rd<\/sup> and 6).\u00a0 This translates into more FG opportunities for Rob.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0 Stephen Gostowski <\/strong>(28\/33\/1\/59).\u00a0 <\/strong>While only making one FG longer than 50 yards, and missing 5 FGs overall, Gostowski made it up with 59 PATs.\u00a0 The Pats will continue to score in 2012 at will, so look for Gostowski to maintain solid numbers.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0 Robbie Gould <\/strong>(28\/32\/6\/37).\u00a0 Robbie was a perfect 6 for 6 from 50+.\u00a0 That\u2019s impressive, especially playing in the Windy City.\u00a0 Da Bears should have no problems moving the ball, and Robbie should have no problems cracking the Top 5 in points.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0 Dan Bailey <\/strong>(32\/37\/2\/39).\u00a0 As an undrafted rookie, Bailey came out of nowhere, nailing 32 FGs for the Cowboys.\u00a0 He showed he can hang with the big boys.\u00a0 The Machine likes youthful exuberance, and this 24 year old\u2019s got a ton of it.\u00a0 We also like the Cowboys offense, which should give Bailey plenty of opportunities to prove he\u2019s worthy of a Top 5 pick.<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0 Mason Crosby <\/strong>(24\/28\/3\/68).\u00a0 Mason needs to get his attempts up, but that\u2019s hard to do when the Pack score touchdowns all the time.\u00a0 He easily led the league with 68 PATs, and the Pack\u2019s offense should be just as potent.\u00a0 Mason will always be in a position to score.<\/p>\n 7.\u00a0 David Akers <\/strong>(44\/52\/7\/34).\u00a0 Akers led all kickers last year in points, by a sizeable margin.\u00a0 Why then, does the Machine have him 7th<\/sup> overall? \u00a0Well, for starters, kickers never repeat as league leaders.\u00a0 And, if you\u2019re David Akers, you had the best year of your career, by far.\u00a0 He made 44 FGs last year, which covers up the fact that he missed 8 FGs.\u00a0 His previous career highs was 33.\u00a0 He also turns 38 this year, which we know is young for a kicker, but still.\u00a0 Even if last year was a fluke, with the greatest game-manager of all time at the helm (that\u2019s not a compliment), Akers will get plenty of opportunities.\u00a0 Just don\u2019t be surprised if his numbers are a little south of where he was in 2011.\u00a0 Don\u2019t say we didn\u2019t warn you.<\/p>\n 8.\u00a0 Neil Rackers <\/strong>(32\/38\/4\/39). Playing with Houston last year, Rackers had a good season, finishing as the #8 kicker overall.\u00a0 He can still nail it from downtown (4 of 5 from 50+).\u00a0 Now with Washington and RGIII, look for Neil to put up similar numbers this year.<\/p>\n 9.\u00a0 Jason Hanson <\/strong>(24\/29\/5\/54).\u00a0 At the opposite end of the youth scale, Hanson just turned 42!.\u00a0 He was drafted in 1992, you remember 1992, right?\u00a0 The Colts took Steve Emtman #1 overall, and the Machine was an extremely awkward teenager.\u00a0 Holy shit that was a long time ago. \u00a0Anyway, that 42 year old leg still has some juice, nailing 5 of 7 from 50+ yards.\u00a0 Playing in a dome with a high-powered offense will help grandpa stay in the Top 10 for another year.<\/p>\n 10.\u00a0 Matt Bryant <\/strong>(27\/29\/2\/45).\u00a0 When in doubt, go with a dome kicker.\u00a0 Although it makes absolutely zero sense why there\u2019s a dome in Atlanta, Bryant\u2019s not complaining.\u00a0 Although he only took 2 50 yarders, he made them both, and only missed 2 FGs all year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ok, if you\u2019re reading our Top 10 Fantasy Kickers list, one of the following statements is true:\u00a0 (i) you\u2019re a degenerate gambler (the Machine prefers \u201csports enthusiast\u201d); (ii) you\u2019re a family member of an NFL kicker, or (iii) you\u2019re really … Continue reading