Fantasy Football 2009: The Top 10 Kickers to Draft

While not the most valuable position on a Fantasy Football team, a good kicker can nevertheless play a critical role in deciding a tightly contested week. When considering Fantasy Football kickers, you are best to look for one with a strong leg, and high degree of accuracy in field goal attempts. Add to those traits such factors such as whether or not he kicks inside a dome stadium (for home games), and how often the team he plays for stalls inside the red zone. Last but not least, look for a kicker with a proven track record. Taking all those points into account, here then is a list of the top 10 kickers to go after in your 2009 Fantasy Football Draft.

Ryan Longwell (Vikings)

Longwell was 6 out of 6 on kicks from outside 50 yards last season, and is now 20 out 34 in his career. He kicks in a dome stadium and has scored over 120 points five times in his career. The fact that the Vikings get into the red zone often is definitely a bonus. Last season Longwell hit on 29 out of 34 field goals and on all 40 of his extra points attempt. Look for him to produce 25-30 FG, and 35-40 extra points this season.

Stephen Gostkowski (Patriots)

Gostkowski had a career year in 2008, hitting on 36 out of 40 field goal tries and all 40 extra point attempts for 148 total points. Look for his field goal totals to take a downward turn with Brady back in the lineup. Still, being part of the Patriot offense won't hurt his overall scoring too much, and he should be good for 120 points this season.

Jason Elam (Broncos)

Elam was just shy of perfect last season, connecting on 29 out of 31 field goal tries for the up and coming Falcon offense. With 38 lifetime field goals over 50 yards and kicking in a dome stadium, look for Elam to continue his success. In 16 seasons, has never scored less than 103 points in a season.

Mason Crosby (Packers)

Yes, his home games are in Green Bay, but who can argue with the success Crosby has had his first two seasons in the league, in which he has averaged 134 points. Crosby has hit on 58 out of 73 field goals and all 94 of his extra points since coming into the league in 2007, and there is no reason to think he can't continue at that rate. Mason has also hit on 6 field goals (in 11 tries) over 50 yards the last two season.

Rob Bironas (Titans)

Over the last two seasons, few kickers have been better than Bironas. Rob has hit on 64 out 72 field goals in a two year span, and his 5 out of 6 from beyond 50 yards in that time span. He also had six games of +10 points last season. Look for Bironas to be a Fantasy Football fixture for years to come.

Nick Folks (Cowboys)

Folk has hit on 86.8 % of his field goals tries since he came into the league as a rookie in 2007. Add to it the fact that Dallas will get in the red zone more often than not, and you have a recipe for success. Don't blame him for only getting 102 points last season as he hit on 20 out 22 field goals, and was 2 for 2 from outside of 50 yards. A good kicker who will hit on at least 120 points this season.

Neil Rackers (Cardinals)

It's hard to tell what you'll get with Rackers, who made 40 out of 42 field goal tries in 2005, then hit on only 1 out 7 tries outside 50 yards the following year. Still, the Cardinals seem to have gotten their offense in gear last season, and Rackers has average almost 112 points over the last three years. You will not get another 140 point season out of him, but 115 is well within his reach.

Nate Kaeding (Chargers)

The Chargers have an offense that's good enough to get Kaeding a shot at 30 field goals a year, and Kaeding converts at a rate of 86.1% during his career, so do the math. His low is 112 points since coming into the league in 2004 as a 3^rd round draft pick. Hit from 57 yards out last season, and he's as solid a pick as they come.

Adam Vinatieri (Colts)

Vinatieri should make the Hall of Fame some day, and he has never scored less than 103 points since coming into the league in 1996. He also kicks indoor at home. What is the problem then? The problem is that Peyton Manning scores often from within the red zone, limiting Vinatieri field goal chances. You won't go wrong with him, but his ceiling is limited to 120 points, and he could end up again with the 103 he scored last season.

Josh Brown (Rams)

Taking Josh Brown is a bit like living on the edge. Brown has never scored less than 109 points in the league, and he has hit on 19 out of 30 attempts from beyond 50 yards, but he also plays for the Rams which got him all of 19 extra point tries last season. Look for the Rams offense to stall again this season, and for Brown to get another shot at making 31 field goals (as he did last season). Solid kicker, on a bad team; roll the die, because it will be feast or famine with this guy

Statistical Source:

www.yahoo.sports.com.