2015 Gridiron Playoff Challenge: 5 Most Valuable Kickers

By Sean Cordy

5 Most Valuable Kickers for Wild Card Weekend

Dallas Cowboys: Top 5 Fantasy Studs — Just because the NFL regular season is over doesn’t mean you can’t get your fantasy football fix. It’s time to make your selections for the ESPN Gridiron Playoff Challenge.

Like normal fantasy football, it’s all about picking value. Like FanDuel or Draft Kings, you have a salary, making it more difficult to create a top lineup. But luckily, the market values set on certain players give you great advantage if you manage them right.

5. Matt Prater – Detroit Lions

Miami Dolphins v Detroit Lions

5. Matt Prater – Detroit Lions

Miami Dolphins v Detroit Lions — Even missing the first six games of the season, Prater didn’t miss a step this season. He kicked at least two field goals in all but three of his 11 games this season and has good offense to almost guarantee him an extra-point attempt. However, he’s going against the Cowboys who almost never allow a field goal, but rather allow extra points. Regardless, Prater is at least worth six points this week at his .3M pricing.

4. Adam Vinatieri – Indianapolis Colts

Adam Vinatieri

4. Adam Vinatieri – Indianapolis Colts

Adam Vinatieri — Last time Vinatieri took on the Bengals, he put up 10 points and that’s definitely an attainable target this week as well. Andrew Luck should be able to lead the Colts into field goal range at least half of their possessions this week. Even if they only get to the 35-yard line, Vinatieri is shooting 100 percent from beyond 50 yards, so his .3M valuation is justified.

3. Justin Tucker – Baltimore Ravens

JustinTucker1

3. Justin Tucker – Baltimore Ravens

JustinTucker — Now we move into the kickers valued at .2M, starting with Tucker who was one of the league’s most productive kickers. He excels at short distance attempts between 20-49 yards, which the Steelers give up the most in the league. Tucker also has a track record against his division rivals, averaging over 10 points against them.

2. Graham Gano – Carolina Panthers

Graham GanoFFWW-Bob Donnan

2. Graham Gano – Carolina Panthers

Graham GanoFFWW-Bob Donnan — The Arizona Cardinals may be giving up the 10th fewest points to kickers this season, but they aren’t the team they were in the beginning of the season. They’ve dropped their last two games and the Panthers are one of the hottest teams right now. That might be enough to give Gano the upper hand this week. However, be weary that if the Panthers win as fantastically as some assume, he could just be coming in for PATs.

1. Dan Bailey – Dallas Cowboys

DanBailey

1. Dan Bailey – Dallas Cowboys

DanBailey — One of the most consistent kickers in the league, Bailey has kicked 21 PATs for the Cowboys in their last four games. He’s also kicked at least one field goal in all but one game this season; the Cowboys find a way to get their kicker into the game. If that’s not enough, in his career against the Lions, Bailey averages three field goals and three extra points made. With the league’s hottest offense leading the way, Bailey’s a worthy selection.

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