Kickers by Steve Siniski

1. Mike Vanderjagt, K, Indianapolis

Kicking indoors, for one of the NFL’s best offenses brings about plenty of opportunities. Vanderjagt has averaged a healthy 125 points over the last five years and converted an outstanding 133 of 151 field goals attempts (86.4 percent). Consistency and eight indoor games put Vanderjagt in the pole position.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Indianapolis 20 25 59 60 119

2. Adam Vinatieri, K, New England

In bad weather and in clutch situations, there is probably no other kicker a fan would want on his side than Vinatieri. Surprisingly, he’s a solid pick for fantasy teams, too. Though the Patriots hero hasn’t converted any 50-yard attempts over the last two years, he does make regular appearances on field goal tries. Since 2000, Vinatieri has had at least 30 field-goal attempts every season.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

New England 31 33 48 48 141

3. David Akers, K, Philadelphia

Long distance a problem? Fear not; just call 1-800-Akers, because David gets connected from afar. He boomed 15 balls from better than 40 yards and two more outside 50. The biggest concern for fantasy owners should be bad weather games, but the Eagles play two of their last three at St. Louis (in a dome) and out west against Arizona.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Philadelphia 27 32 41 42 122

4. Matt Stover, K, Baltimore

Perhaps the game’s most underrated kicker, few have the sniper-type accuracy of Stover. Over the last five years he’s 148 of his 169 field-goal attempts (87.8 percent) and all 153 of his one-pointers. Considering the potential for scoring on the Ravens in 2005, Stover could jump back into the 130-point range, much like he did in 2000 and ’03.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Baltimore 29 32 30 30 117

5. Jason Elam, K, Denver

Mr. Mile High is among the safest bets for consistent fantasy points at kicker. Elam has netted at least 120 points in four straight seasons and gets the job done from long range, too. He’s booted 12 kicks from beyond 50 yards in the last five years, second-best in the NFL.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Denver 29 34 42 42 129

6. Ryan Longwell, K, Green Bay

No kicker has the potential to deal with more treacherous conditions than Longwell. Lambeau Field can be downright horrific when the temperature drops or the snow begins to blow. Yet Longwell remains an excellent kicker, scoring at least 120 points in four of the last five years. He’s converted 47 of his last 54 field-goal attempts and missed just one extra-point since 2000. If the Packers offense slips in the red zone as some expect, Longwell would reap the benefits.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Green Bay 24 28 48 48 120

7. Nate Kaeding, K, San Diego

Kaeding nearly saw his rookie success go down the tubes in a playoff battle with the Jets. The Chargers stumbled after his late-game miss cost them a first-round win, so it remains to be seen how he bounces back. When Kaeding’s on, he has more leg than ZZ Top, and booted eight field goals from beyond 40 yards. The Chargers are likely to remain a high-scoring outfit, so don’t become discouraged with Kaeding.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

San Diego 20 25 54 55 114

8. Sebastian Janikowski, K, Oakland

If the Raiders take off as expected, Jankowski will see more extra points than field goals. As it stands now, the linebacker in a kicker’s body has topped 30 three-point attempts just once in the last four years. Here’s an instance where name value could hurt on the fantasy gridiron.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Oakland 25 28 31 32 106

9. Josh Brown, K, Seattle

His first two seasons haven’t been filled with big kicks, because the Seahawks can’t seem to get their act together. If the wide receivers could turn drops into big plays, the entire offense would benefit. He’s improved in the accuracy department, missing only two of his 25 field-goal attempts.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Seattle 23 25 40 40 109

10. Jeff Reed, K, Pittsburgh

Give Reed credit, because he has succeeded where his predecessor, Kris Brown, failed—in front of the Steelers fans. Heinz Field is one of the more difficult venues for a kicker to survive, and therein lies the biggest problem. While Reed scored a hefty 124 points last year, he could implode unexpectedly because of the conditions at his workplace.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Pittsburgh 28 33 40 40 124

11. Jeff Wilkins, K, St. Louis

Think St. Louis and you think scoring. Unfortunately, Wilkins is one of those aggravating even-odd players. Check out his point totals over the last five years—89-127-94-163-89. No matter what, the turf helps Wilkins, who’s kicked a league-high eight field goals from better than 50 yards over the last two years.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

St. Louis 19 24 32 32 89

12. Lawrence Tynes, K, Kansas City

What do we know about Tynes? He can kick extra points (NFL-high 59), but his accuracy leaves something to be desired (17 of 23 on field-goal tries). The Chiefs efficiency in the red zone—66 percent of their drives inside the 20 ended in touchdowns--takes away the thunder Tynes could have.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Kansas City 17 23 58 60 109

13. Shayne Graham, K, Cincinnati

No matter how the Bengals offense shakes out, Graham is a sure-fire fantasy performer. He comes off a 122-point campaign and lines up with a scoring unit that is one more year wiser. Little separates the position at this point, meaning Graham could be worth a slot slightly higher on this list.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Cincinnati 27 31 41 41 122

14. Rian Lindell, K, Buffalo

Talk about workplace hazards. Like Green Bay, Buffalo can be a difficult place to be successful as a kicker. Lindell had a breakout campaign in 2004, but in his previous three years failed to convert more than 79.3 percent of his kicks. It’s tough to say which is representative of Lindell’s true level of play. Right now go with the larger scope of work (2001-03).

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Buffalo 24 28 45 45 117

15. Mike Nugent, K, N.Y. Jets

Nugent left Ohio State as one of the best kickers in Big Ten history. Few players actually play for smaller crowds in the NFL than college, but Nugent will. Pressure is nothing new to him, but the swirling winds of Giant Stadium will be. It may take some time before he becomes completely comfortable in his new surroundings.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

ROOKIE

16. Josh Scobee, Jacksonville

In a league where distance counts, Scobee could be a gold mine. Few kickers generate the power Scobee does, and he’ll an increased workload in 2005. Not yet an upper-tier player at his position, Scobee still needs some seasoning.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Jacksonville 24 31 21 21 93

17. Aaron Elling, K, Minnesota

Everyone on the Vikings is going to score points, whether it’s the offensive skill-position players, the young, aggressive defenders or the kicker. Elling returns to Minnesota after a brief—and we mean brief—stint with the Titans last year that lasted all of one game. Based on the offense he plays for, Elling will be a solid fantasy kicker, assuming he can hold onto the job in Minnesota this time.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Tennessee 1 2 2 2 5

18. Kris Brown, K, Houston

Brown may kick for one of the league’s emerging offenses, but he just can’t seem to get his leg straight. Inaccuracy has plagued Brown throughout his career, and he’s converted more than 71 percent of his kicks just on in the last four seasons. Another campaign like 2004 could land him on the real-life waiver wire.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Houston 17 24 34 34 85

19. John Kasay, K, Carolina

Kasay is the very definition of a cagey veteran. He’s bounced back from numerous injuries to remain a consistent performer, but did sit out of two contests last season. He’s getting a little long in the tooth (35), so be wary of that and the injury history.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Carolina 19 22 27 28 84

20. Jason Hanson, K, Detroit

Hanson has always been consistent. Beyond that, you’ll never hear the words amazing or clutch used when describing him. Mostly because he’s suffered through long years with Detroit, Hanson never gets his just due. He’s topped triple digits three times in the last five years, but hasn’t scored more than 101 points during the span. He’s best served as a bye-week fill in.

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Detroit 24 28 28 28 100

21. John Carney, New Orleans

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

New Orleans 22 27 38 38 104

22. Neil Rackers, Arizona

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Arizona 22 29 28 28 94

23. Jay Feely, N.Y. Giants

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Atlanta 18 23 40 40 94

24. Todd Peterson, Atlanta

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

San Francisco 18 22 23 23 77

25. Paul Edinger, Chicago

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Chicago 15 24 22 22 67

26. Joe Nedney, San Francisco

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Tennessee 1 1 0 1 3

27. Olindo Mare, Miami

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Miami 12 16 18 18 54

28. Billy Cundiff, Dallas

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Dallas 20 26 31 31 91

29. Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Miami 3 4 12 12 21

30. John Hall, Washington

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Washington 8 11 13 13 37

31. Ola Kimrin, Tennessee

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Washington 6 10 6 6 24

32. Phil Dawson, Cleveland

2004 Team FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

Cleveland 24 29 28 28 100