K Rankings

Aubrey outscored every other kicker by at least 27 fantasy points in 2023, when he was a 28-year-old rookie completing a career change from professional soccer. He took a minor step back in 2024 but was still among the best kickers in the NFL, finishing second in fantasy points and first in field-goal attempts while going 14-of-17 on kicks of 50-plus yards (and 14-of-16 in the 40-49 range). Aubrey had been perfect from long distance as a rookie, only missing two kicks in the 30-39 range and three PATs. He didn't miss any PATs in 2024, but he had 22 fewer attempts than in 2023 as the Cowboys declined from 12-5 to 7-10. Aubrey's incredible two-year run of success on long kicks should ensure he gets similar chances moving forward, keeping him relevant for fantasy even if the Cowboys struggle again and don't provide many chip shots and PATs.

McPherson signed a three-year extension in Aug. 2024, but he still hasn't lived up to the potential of an excellent 2021 rookie season. Things actually worse last season, rather than better, with McPherson making a career-low 72.7 percent of field-goal attempts prior to missing the final five weeks with a groin injury. His career field-goal rate is down to 81.7 percent, which is low by modern standards but about average for a kicker whose attempts skew toward long range. Part of the problem for fantasy is that McPherson has averaged 5.0 makes from 50-plus yards over the past three seasons, after going 9-of-11 there during his 2021 rookie campaign. There's still upside for fantasy, given his leg strength and the quality of Cincinnati's offensive personnel, but there's also now a downside scenario in which McPherson continues to struggle and loses his job.

Bates didn't earn an NFL gig in 2023, after going undrafted and signing with the Texans, but there was renewed interest last spring once he'd kicked three field goals of 60-plus yards in the UFL. He ended up winning the job in Detroit and holding it down all year, finishing seventh among kickers in fantasy points behind a league-high 67 PATS (64 converted). Bates also performed well on field goals, missing just three, although his 29 attempts tied for 21st, lagging behind other kickers due to Detroit's aggressive approach on fourth down and excellent efficiency at converting scoring chances into TDs. Even if both those factors are unchanged under new offensive coordinator John Morton, it's a relatively stable situation that ensures Bates will have enough PATs to stay fantasy relevant.

After bouncing around the league for years, McLaughlin finally seems to have found his long-term home in Tampa Bay, where he's missed just four field-goal attempts and two PATs in two seasons. He played every game for Tampa Bay the past two years, including playoffs, and finished 2024 as the sixth-highest-scoring kicker for fantasy (up from No. 13 in 2023). With two seasons remaining on his contract, McLaughlin is set up for another year of fantasy value, attached to an offense that will have a new playcaller for the third year in a row but otherwise enjoys continuity, returning all 11 regular starters from last year.

Dicker has been phenomenal since he won the Chargers' kicker job midway through the 2022 season, missing only six field-goal attempts and three PATs in 44 regular-season games. He's gone 16-of-21 from 50-plus yards and 26-of-27 from 40-49 yards, with his fantasy total ranking eighth among kickers in 2023 and tied for third in 2024. New Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh proved favorable for Dicker's value last year, stabilizing the team in general whilst favoring field-goal attempts over fourth-down tries in close situations. And while the Chargers didn't do much to improve this offseason, they'll again have competent coaching and QB play, which should be enough to keep Dicker's FG volume up.