A balance has returned to the fantasy world, with the re-emergence of heavily-rostered kickers to the top of the weekly results. Justin Tucker finished as the top performer of the week after back-to-back four-point performances.

Joining Tucker at the top was Harrison Butker, with 17 fantasy points in a surprisingly low-scoring performance by the Chiefs in what appeared to be a monster opportunity at home against the lowly Broncos.

Perhaps the most surprising performance of the week came from Dustin Hopkins of the Browns. The journeyman kicker made four of five field goal tries in Cleveland’s upset win at home over the 49ers.

Speaking of the 49ers. It was a bold move for a team with Super Bowl aspirations to let Robbie Gould walk and replace him with a rookie kicker like Jake Moody. The former Michigan Star is talented, but he folded in his first attempt to make a big kick and secure a victory. Will the rook respond with confidence, or will he fail on his next big pressure kick?

Fantasy Football Week 7 Kicker Rankings & Waiver Wire Advice

Here are a few Week 6 strong performances from widely-available kickers

Brandon McManus (JAX) vs. Indy: 25% roster percentage on Yahoo

McManus has been a difficult player to predict this season, as he has three games of at least ten fantasy points sandwiched between a pair of duds. It also does not help that Trevor Lawrence injured his knee on Sunday and may not play this week against New Orleans. Regardless, the managers who started McManus this week were pleased to see his 17 points.

Dustin Hopkins (CLE) vs. San Francisco: 1% roster percentage on Yahoo

Hopkins has been a viable kicker this season and currently ranks 12th in points. Unfortunately, the 1% of Yahoo owners that started him in what appeared to be a terrible game script vs. the 49ers were the only ones to benefit from his 16 points.

Week 6 Dud Performances from heavily-owned kickers

Tyler Bass (BUF) vs. Jacksonville: 99% roster percentage on Yahoo

Back-to-back dud performances by Tyler Bass has fantasy managers licking their wounds this morning. Bass is now 10th on the season in scoring with a pair of two-point games in his last two matchups. I am not jumping ship yet on Bass, but a few more weeks like this and it might make sense to look for another option.

Kicker Rankings

*Red Zone Efficiency is based on the inverse of how well the kicker’s offense does in the red zone. For example, the Ravens rank 9th in red zone efficiency; therefore Justin Tucker has a RZ EFF score of 23. The lower number, the better for kickers, as playing on a team that struggles to score touchdowns in the red zone equates to more field goal opportunities.

**The K Score is the sum of a player’s opponent red zone, the red zone efficiency of his offense, and the overall rank of his respective team in terms of total yards. A low score indicates that a kicker has variables working in his favor for a good fantasy kicking performance.

Kicker rankings are based on numerous factors, including matchups, Vegas lines and score projections, weather conditions, the ability of a kicker’s team offense and their ability to move the ball into field goal range, offensive red zone efficiency, and how well the opposing defense limits touchdowns in the red zone. These factors are a guide, but not a definitive way to predict kicking success, as other variables and negative game scripts significantly impact the outcome.

Based on all of the variables mentioned above, the following two kickers are players ranked outside of the FantasyPros ECR top 10 who could be an excellent play in Week 7.

Riley Patterson (DET) @ Baltimore: 51% roster percentage on Yahoo

Patterson’s K Score of 24 is the best on the week, and the Ravens give up the 5th most points to opposing kickers. The wind is a concern if it gets stronger than 25 MPH, but otherwise, Patterson is a strong candidate for 10 or more fantasy points.

Chase McLaughlin (TB) vs. Atlanta: 1% roster percentage on Yahoo

With only two games this season of ten or more fantasy points, McLaughlin has not exactly been a fantasy darling. His 1% roster percentage makes sense based on his performance, and he should only be started in games where he has a great K Score. This week is one of his better matchups in what should be a close game, against a Falcons defense that ranks 9th in kicker points allowed.

Prediction Review

Each week, I suggest two kickers ranked outside the FantasyPros ECR top 10 who I believe will be solid performers based on the variables described in the K Score section. The following is a review of my picks from the previous week to see where I was successful and where I missed the mark.

Nick Folk (TEN) @ Baltimore: 12% roster percentage on Yahoo

• ECR Rank: 18
• My Rank: 9
• Week 6 Finish: 9

The Ravens boasted the top-ranked red zone defense heading into Week 6 and the Titans have struggled this season in the red zone. With a K score of 28, it was pretty clear Folk would outperform his ECR of 18th overall.

Ka’imi Fairbairn (HOU) vs. New Orleans: 1% roster percentage on Yahoo

• ECR Rank: 12
• My Rank: 6
• Week 6 Finish: Kicker Tied 14

Fairbairn did not have a monster game that placed him into the top 12, but his eight fantasy points and two field goals outproduced his projections. The biggest issue with Fairbairn was the fact that both of his kicks were short and resulted in just a combined six points.

Waiver Wired: Top Add

Riley Patterson (DET) @ Baltimore: 51% roster percentage on Yahoo

If you are dealing with a bye week kicker situation, Patterson this week vs. the Ravens is not a bad option. Four of the six players who have faced the Ravens have made three or more field goals.

Other players to consider

• Brandon McManus (JAC) @ New Orleans: 25% roster percentage on Yahoo