In Week 1, I was better predicting the kick returners than the kickers. In Week 2, it was the exact opposite. All three of the kickers I picked were within the Top 12 of fantasy points, where the kick return thing didn’t go as well. Eric Weems had nearly 100 total return yards, but Kendall Hunter took the only return for the 49ers, while Quinn Porter was the return man in St. Louis. This week I will try again to pick three kick returners and three kickers who you could pick up off the waiver wire and start this week.
Kick Returners
Dion Lewis – After getting picked in the fifth round of the draft, Lewis has been the main kick return man in Philadelphia, and had 113 return yards last week against Atlanta. This week the opponent is the New York Giants who have Lawrence Tynes; a man who has had just two kickoffs on his eight kicks. He had two rushes week 1, so there is a chance he could see another run or two to add to his score.
Clyde Gates – Keeping with the trend of rookies, Gates was a fourth round pick and is the return man in Miami. His 100 yard game was in week 1, and he followed that up with 77 yards on three returns last week. He goes up against Phil Dawson and the Browns who have only had 30% of their kicks touched back. Like Lewis, Gates also has the advantage in that he will play some offensive snaps at receiver.
Leon Washington – Like Gates and Lewis, Washington currently ranks in the Top 9 in terms of kick return yards for the season. Because of the Seahawks struggles at secondary, Washington is good any week when he faces the right kicker. This is one of those weeks, as Jay Feely has had just 33% of his kickoffs touched back. Unfortunately he has only touched the ball three times on offense so far.
Kickers
Olindo Mare – So far Mare has only had three chances for field goals and he nailed all three of them. Against the Jacksonville defense, we could see even more points out of the Panthers apparent high powered offense. Even if the Panthers end up scoring touchdowns rather than field goals, he should make a number of extra points.
Nick Novak – In two games, the Chargers have only attempted one field goal and that was by punter Mike Scifres. However the Chiefs have allowed 41 and 48 points in the past two games, and the Chargers arguably have a better offense than the Bills and Lions. Even if the Chargers just score touchdowns, seven points from extra points isn’t a terrible day for a kicker.
Matt Bryant – Picking three kickers who have made a total of five field goals this season might be risky, but Bryant is another man I like this week. The Buccaneers defense has not looked good so far this year and have yet to face an offense with the fire power the Falcons have. This should be another high scoring game which means many chances for the kicker.
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