Two out of three wasn’t bad last week, which is how well I did at picking both kickers and kick returners. Both John Kasay and Dan Bailey hit three field goals each. Devin Thomas was one of three returners over 100 kick return yards while Brandon Tate had 137 total return yards. It’s time for another week of predicting which returners and kickers could score you big fantasy points this week.
Kick Returners
Dion Lewis – I’ve mentioned the rookie running back before, and I think he is primed for another good week. He has consistently averaged roughly 20 yards per game, so his performance is mostly based on the number returns he gets. Against Buffalo, he will be given more opportunities than usual with the Bills likely to score a lot, and Rian Lindell averaging just 66 yards per kick. If I had to pick any returner this week, I would go with Lewis.
Brad Smith – He has disappointed me before, as the Bills have only returned three kicks so far this season. I will give him one more chance as I know what he can do when his hands are on the ball. The Eagles will score on the Bills some, and Alex Henery has only had eight of his 22 kicks touched back. If he doesn’t have a big game returning this week, I will stop picking Smith in this column.
Randall Cobb – There are a few rookies who have been kick returners, and Cobb has been one of the better ones with 242 kick return yards so far this year, which is good for seventh best in the league. In order to keep up with the Packers, the Falcons will need to score a lot of points. The Green Bay secondary hasn't looked as good this year as it was last year, so the Falcons should accomplish this goal which leads to kickoffs. 62% of Matt Bosher kickoffs have been returned, so Cobb should see a fair number of opportunities.
Edit: Julian Edelman doesn't look like he will play for the Patriots this week, so another returner was picked.
Kickers
Mike Nugent – He is one of the leaders in field goals made this season so far with ten, he hasn’t missed a kick yet, and against the Jaguars he should have plenty of opportunities to score. He has all of the elements in place for a big game in kickers standards.
Alex Henery – While the rookie kicker has missed three field goals already, only Dan Bailey of the Cowboys has been given more attempts with 12 compared to the 11 that Henery has. I can see the Bills game being very high scoring, which of course means many chances for Henery to add points to the scoreboard.
Olindo Mare – He has made 80% of his kicks so far in the surprisingly high scoring Panthers offense. At the age of 38 he just keeps going, and against the high scoring Saints, Mare will need to continue his high scoring in order for the Panthers to have a chance in this one. I think the Panthers are up to the challenge and will put up a fight which will lead to Mare scoring points for your fantasy team.
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