The role of the NFL kicker is so underrated, especially in fantasy football. Here are the best kickers for fantasy football in the 2025-26 season, according to the staff at Alternative Fix.

Detroit’s Bull’s-eye: Jake Bates

When you talk about upside, consistency and environment, Jake Bates has all three working in his favor. The Detroit Lions boast one of the most potent offenses in the league, supplying Bates with frequent scoring opportunities. According to PFF, Bates has a 91.0 field-goal grade over the past three seasons, ranking sixth among all kickers.

Perhaps even more importantly, Detroit plays indoors. Even when the Lions are on the road, two of their final matchups in the fantasy playoffs are in domes, which mitigates weather risk.

On the fantasy side, analysts are bullish. SI lists Bates as the No. 2 fantasy kicker behind only Brandon Aubrey. In ESPN’s rankings, Bates often lands at or very near No. 1. What elevates him is not just volume, but the security he brings by operating in favorable conditions. He’s not penalized by wind, cold, or rain nearly as often as many peers.

In short, Bates pairs high-floor with high-ceiling, which is exactly what you want in a fantasy kicker.

Consistent Explosiveness: Brandon Aubrey

If there is a “safe bet with upside” archetype at kicker, it’s Brandon Aubrey. He’s got a genuine track record of long kicks, volume, and consistency. SI’s preseason fantasy rankings put him at No. 1 overall among kickers. His longevity in the upper echelon is backed by his ability to attempt more field goals than almost anyone else.

One of his strongest traits is risk tolerance, he’s made very long attemptas, and league models expect him to continue getting chances from deep ranges. According to a SportsLine model cited by CBS, Aubrey tied for second in the league for scoring in recent years and is 76-of-85 on field goals over the last two seasons, with 24 of those from 50-plus yards.

Deep Threat with Momentum: Cameron Dicker

He’s got the nickname (“Dicker the Kicker”), and he’s backing it up. Cameron Dicker has built real momentum in recent seasons, particularly thanks to his strength from long distance. In 2024 he delivered one of his best seasons yet, and analysts expect him to be a dependable Tier 1 option again.

A key edge Dicker has is his long-range strike capability, he’s made multiple 50-plus yard field goals, which gives added value in leagues that reward long kicks or use fractional scoring. Moreover, he checks the box of consistency, his field-goal percentage across multiple seasons is strong.

In ESPN’s aggregate kicker rankings, Dicker places very near the top. If you’re drafting a kicker and want upside with less exposure to volatility (weather, stage fright, etc.), Dicker is a tempting option.

Veteran Reliability: Chris Boswell

The top three names (Bates, Aubrey, Dicker) tend to dominate Tier 1 in many rankings, but Chris Boswell is a name you can’t ignore. SI’s rankings put him at No. 4. Boswell actually led the NFL in made field goals in 2024 and posted very high accuracy in consecutive seasons. In many ways, Boswell is the steady hand, he may not always thrill, but he rarely fails. That makes him a great fallback pick or a safe choice in leagues where you don’t want to gamble too hard on boom-or-bust.

Wildcard Upside: Wil Lutz

Rounding out this group, Wil Lutz may not always top the preseason lists, but he brings intriguing upside, especially in favorable settings. SI’s overall list slots him at No. 5 among kickers. In the SI tiers piece, Lutz is listed among Tier 2, just behind the elite three.

If you miss out on the top three and want a mix of safety and upside, Lutz is a credible “best of the rest” option.

Putting It All Together

If you were drafting a kicker for 2025, here’s how this narrative might guide your choice:

• Jake Bates is your top floor and ceiling combo. He benefits from a loaded offense and dome environment.
• Brandon Aubrey is your “workhorse with upside,” someone you trust to kick deep and often.
• Cameron Dicker gives you long-leg potential and consistency, especially valuable in scoring systems favoring distance.
• Chris Boswell is a strong fallback, less boom, but far less bust
• Wil Lutz is the dark horse, not the flashiest, but capable of surprises, especially if conditions align.

Fantasy analysts tend to cluster those first three into Tier 1, with Aubrey, Dicker and Bates forming the “cream of the crop.” Boswell and Lutz would hover just behind, offering safer value at lower risk. The model rankings (ESPN, PFF) also tend to place Bates, Dicker, and Aubrey as the top three by consensus.

In the end, your pick might depend on your scoring system, willingness to gamble on long kicks, and appetite for weather risk. But with those five names, Bates, Aubrey, Dicker, Boswell, and Lutz, you have a core of elite and dependable options for 2025.