Kickers
We decided to let a loyal reader offer suggestions for kickers and drafting team defenses, areas neglected in prior rankings. Thanks to John Gozzi, the "Wizard of Goz," which seems a tout-worthy nickname unless you overthink it and remember that the Wizard wasn't all he was cracked up to be. Do you like how I sucked the life out of a great nickname? No wonder my in-laws hate me. I will comment in italics where I think it's warranted.
'WIzard Of Goz' on Kickers
by John Gozzi
Do not, regardless of your roster rules, select a kicker before the sixth or seventh round regardless of other team’s actions. (Salfino note: I would go further and say that if someone breaks into your draft and puts a gun to your head and demands that you take a kicker before the last three rounds, dare him to pull the trigger.) The difference between the top few kickers and the middle of the pack (most of the rest) is less than two points per week. Do not over-analyze strength- of -schedule or climate. There are always decent kickers in the free agent pool, if you have to pick a backup, do it on your last pick. (Salfino: John's being nice here. You never have to pick a backup kicker. And you never should.)
First tier
(Salfino: John says these guys might go in the middle rounds, but remember, that doesn't mean they should be going to you.)
1. Akers, Philadelphia
2. Wilkins, St. Louis (Salfino: I like this placement by Goz because it's not just looking at last year's point totals. Wilkins will have a big year. Just grab him late.)
3. Elam, Denver
4. Viniatieri, N.E
Second Tier
5. Vanderjagt, Indy
6. Janikowski, Oakland
7. Stover, Baltimore
8. Reed, Pittsburgh
9. Brown, Seattle
10. Graham, Cincy
(Salfino: I don't like 7, 8 and 9 as guys who are likely to distinguish themselves. If you have one of them with a last-round pick, it's okay. But I wouldn't target them before the end rounds. I like Graham because he has a very late bye, Week 10, and will secure the position for you for weeks without worrying about a roster move unless that groin proves more troublesome than Cincy expects.)
Third Tier
11. Kasay, Carolina
12. Longwell, GB
13. Carney, N.O
14. Mare, Miami
15. Lindell, Buffalo
16. Peterson, Atlanta
(Salfino: I'd stay far away from Mare and Lindell, given the uncertainty at QB. It's not like either of those guys are lights-out kickers. Peterson is interesting. Always lean toward indoor kickers. I think Kasey is well-placed here: good defense, decent weather, proficient enough offense without being spectacular; you want an offense good enough to drive into field goal range but not great enough to consistently close the deal.)
Fourth Tier
17. Edinger, Vikings (Salfino: John liked the Vikings kicker a lot and we threw him up on spec he's winning the job in light of his 4-for-4 outing while Eiling pulled up lame. As soon as it's official, move him up 10 spots.)
18. Rackers, Arizona
19. Kaedling, S.D
20. Nugent, Jets
21. Hanson, Detroit
22. K. Brown, Houston
23. Dawson, Cleveland
24. Feely, Giants
25. Tynes, KC
(Salfino: Rackers is a good kicker, but Arizona gives me the willies out of habit. Kaeding, Nugent and Hanson are all likely to be worthy of starting, just more evidence for waiting, waiting, waiting. I don't like Brown and Dawson because those teams might have trouble scoring and stopping the opposition. Feely had maybe the best game I ever saw from a kicker against the Jets on Friday, but the Giants are likely to struggle too much offensively. Tynes is on short leash, assuming he survives until opening day.)
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