Word to the Winners: Fantasy Football Advice from the Experts

Following is some hot-off-the-press advice on this season's rookie kickers from Russ Bliss, fantasy football expert who hosts "The Red Zone" on KDUS-AM Sports radio.

Kickers

There were 3 kickers taken in the draft, and one of them is regarded as a much better punter than field goal kicker. Rookie kickers usually struggle a bit and since the position is usually a low priority for fantasy purposes, none of the kickers drafted this year are to be regarded as anything more than a backup on your team for this season. That said, there’s only one of those (Mike Nugent). However, the Colts selection of Dave Rayner in round 6 offers upside for future.

2005 impact ranking:

1. Mike Nugent
2. Dave Rayner

Dynasty values:

1. Mike Nugent
2. Dave Rayner

Comments (in order drafted):

Mike Nugent, Round 2, New York Jets: Nugent was clearly the top kicker in college football last year connecting on 24 of 27 field goal attempts and a perfect 30 for 30 on extra points. Nailed 5 FG’s from 50 yards or more so he has the leg strength to make the money kicks.
2005 outlook: The Jets didn’t use a second round pick on a kicker to not use him. They’ve already let veteran Doug Brien know he won’t be back so Nugent will be the Jets kicker. Rookie kickers usually struggle a little bit so there will be a few growing pains. I would prefer to have Nugent as a backup as opposed to my starting kicker for 2005.
Beyond 2005: Nugent has the ability to become a top scorer, as the Jets have a good offense. His dynasty value is high because of his accuracy and ability to get the long ones through the uprights.

Dave Rayner, Round 6, Indianapolis Colts: Rayner is a strong legged kicker who had accuracy problems in college (made 62 of 90 career field goal attempts). Some of that is thought to be because of the inclement weather he kicked in at Michigan State. Regardless, accuracy is something that can be learned and weather will be of no concern in Indianapolis as the Colts are a dome team.
2005 outlook: Will be a kickoff specialist and backup to Mike Vanderjagt. Vanderjagt is an excellent field goal kicker whose kickoffs have been lacking. Rayner’s fantasy value is nil for this season unless something happens to Vanderjagt.
Beyond 2005: Vanderjagt hasn’t always endeared himself to teammates or the coaching staff and is viewed a bit as a malcontent. This is also Vanderjagt’s final year under contract. His cap figure of 2.34 million is a lot to pay a kicker and it’s possible that the Colts will work hard on Rayner’s accuracy so he can be a cheap alternative if Vanderjagt leaves after this season. In the Colts explosive offense, Rayner could have a lot of value in dynasty leagues if he gets the accuracy issues resolved.

Paul Ernster, Round 7, Denver Broncos: Ernster is a dual threat kicker who handled both punting and kicking duties his last year in college. His field goal accuracy isn’t very good (made 39 of 65 career attempts, and also missed 4 extra point attempts), but he blossomed as a punter (48.8 yard avg) and his kickoffs regularly go into the end zone. Of course, it didn’t hurt either that he kicked for a college at high elevation (Northern Arizona University).
2005 outlook: Denver’s a high elevation city so his punt and kickoffs won’t suffer. Won’t challenge Jason Elam for the field goal and extra point duties, but will provide the Broncos with an immediate backup if anything happens to him.
Beyond 2005: Probably never turns into a kicker at the NFL level, but his future as a punter is high. Unless your league somehow incorporates individual punters in their scoring system, Ernster has no value.

Copyright © 2005 Ready-Set-Go Fantasy Sports, LLC. All rights reserved.

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