Just like in real life, kickers in fantasy sports will have you routinely pounding your fist and cursing madly. They invariably botch that 28-yard gimme or go wide on that extra-point that would have sent the game into overtime. Kickers can, and will, win or lose you the occasional game. And in fantasy leagues, where every point matters, owning a reliable kicker could be one of the most undervalued practices in team philosophy. The trouble is it's not enough to simply nab last years No. 1 off the board a round or two early. In terms of fantasy value, kickers exhibit very little consistency year-to-year, making it maddingly difficult to predict the true keepers. Guys like Adam Vinatieri, who have proven themselves throughout their careers, are the definite standouts, but what about the underclassmen of the League? Robbie Gould had a breakout season in 2006 and Nate Kaeding owns one of the strongest legs on any team. So who gets the nod come draft day? UPDATE! is here to help ensure your team gets that last minute field goal to put you ahead in the standings. Here are our picks:




San Diego Chargers
Comment: Over the past three seasons Kaeding has completed over 80 percent of his field goal attempts, while only missing one extra point in 162 tries. As far as fantasy kickers go, he's the best on the board. After posting career highs last season, expect more of the same in 2007. After all, with Philip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson helming the offense, Kaeding will get plenty of opportunities to show off his powerful leg.

St. Louis Rams
Comment: In the last four years only two teams have fielded a top-ten kicker in back-to-back seasons. One of those teams was the St. Louis Rams with Jeff Wilkins. In both 2005 and 2006 Wilkins was consistent enough to warrant a fantasy pick. And in 11 full seasons Wilkins has amassed over 100 points seven times, making this veteran one of the few kickers with repeat value year after year. The Rams once again have a strong team; Wilkins should get plenty of opportunities at the uprights.

Chicago Bears
Comment: Robbie Gould led all NFL kickers with 143 points last season. Much of this success, however, was due to the Chicago Bears inability to score TDs. This allowed Gould far more field goal opportunities and resulted in some hefty numbers. There's no doubt that Gould has all the skills of a great kicker, but it's doubtful that he gets as many meaningful attempts this season. Gould will be a solid contributor, but his stats should take a dip.

Indianapolis Colts
Comment: Perhaps the most successful kicker in the last 50 years, Vinatieri makes an attractive addition to fantasy rosters. He posted 113 points last year, despite missing three games due to injury, and in his 11 NFL seasons Vinatieri has never tallied less than 100 points. And playing with the high-powered Colts, Vinatieri should have plenty of opportunities to produce. Always a popular choice, expect Vinatieri to be drafted in the middle- to late-rounds.

Cincinnati Bengals
Comment: Despite lacking the powerful leg of Wilkins or Kaeding, Graham remains a reliable and accurate kicker. True, he's only converted on 50-plus yard field goals in two of his last four seasons, but over that same span he averaged 123 points and connected for over 85 percent of his attempts. The Bengals' dynamic offense means that Graham will get plenty of attempts in 2007, and he could be worth a late round addition.

Baltimore Ravens
Comment: After four straight seasons of 100-plus points, this veteran 39 year-old kicker has defied logic and gotten better with age. During this span, Stover has converted an impressive 89 percent of field goal attempts, including 75 percent from 50-plus yards. Last season Stover led the NFL in success rate after connecting on 93 percent of his kicks. Expect similar numbers this season — 110-plus points and an 85 percent success rate.

Arizona Cardinals
Comment: After a productive 2005 season that saw Rackers kick for 140 points and a NFL-record 40 field goals, he finished the 2006 season with almost 30 less points and 12 fewer field goals. Rackers' fantasy value has taken a hit and it's doubtful that he will put up those gaudy 2005 numbers again, but he can still be a valuable fantasy option. Playing alongside a decent Cardinals offense, expect numbers more in line with his 2006 season. Rackers is a veteran kicker who will add his share of points to the scoreboard and is a worthwhile fantasy option.

Denver Broncos
Comment: Jason Elam continues to be a fantasy workhorse, even at the age of 37. In 15 seasons Elam has never posted less than 100 points and he has at least one 50-plus-yard FG in each of those seasons. Playing at high altitudes doesn't hurt either. If Jay Cutler can string together a breakout season, then Elam could see a lot more action as well.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Comment: Josh Scobee recorded career bests in points (119) and FG percentage (81) last season. An underrated fantasy performer in 2006, expect Scobee to be on the radar for 2007, especially with an upgraded Jaguar offense. And although inconsistencies haunted him 2006, with three full seasons under his belt Scobee should show even more improvement than last season.

Seattle Seahawks
Comment: Brown has one of the strongest legs in the league; he showed it off last season as he connected for three 50-yard plus FGs. And while a stymied Seahawks offense limited his extra points in 2006, he converted a career best 25 FGs. Expect improvement on Browns' 111 point 2006 season and consider him a viable fantasy option at the kicker position.

Philadelphia Eagles
Comment: Akers posted career bests in extra points (48) and put up a respectable 102 points last season after an injury plagued 2005. Although this ten-year veteran appears to be on the decline, the Eagles still expect Akers to be a capable kicker this season. He needs to be more consistent, but a return to the form is not out of the question.

New York Giants
Comment: Tynes was a top-ten kicker heading into the 2006 season but was something of a disappointment for fantasy owners. He posted 107 points but missed seven FG attempts, including two in the 30-39 yard range. He does possess a powerful leg, however, and has averaged an almost 80 percent conversion rate over his three seasons with the Chiefs. Tynes could be worth a late round roster addition and if he rebounds into top-ten form even better if he can win a starting job with the Giants.

Carolina Panthers
Comment: An experienced veteran, Kasay has enjoyed a productive 16-year career in the NFL. Still, nobody predicted him to perform like he did last season. Kasay converted 89 percent of FG opportunities and four of seven attempts from 50-plus yards en route to another 100-point season. Had the Panthers given him more opportunities to kick for extra points, he might have even been the best kicker in the league. At 37, he's not getting any younger, but as a late-round addition Kasay could be well worth the pick up.

New England Patriots
Comment: Gostkowski enjoyed a decent rookie campaign last season as he attempted to fill the giant void left by veteran kicker Adam Vinatieri when he bolted for Indianapolis. He finished 18th among kickers, with 103 points, a 77 percent conversion rate and a 52 yard field goal to boot. With the myriad of offensive threats added to the New England lineup, Gostkowski is poised for a breakout season. Although he is only a boarder line starter, he has all the skills for a sleeper performance.

New Orleans Saints
Comment: Mare enters the 2007 season with a new team and a chance at restoring his elite status among kickers. In 1999 Mare amassed 144 points with the Dolphins. Since then, however, he has only managed to average a paltry 106 points over six seasons. This year, teamed with one of the most potent offenses in the league, Mare could become a real fantasy asset again. If given the opportunity he could put up points similar to his early years as a Dolphin.

Lamberti is UPDATE! Editor in Chief.

Green Bay Packers
Comment: Rayner was impressive in his first full season of duty. He converted 31 of 32 extra point attempts and 26 of 35 field goals en route to 109 points. Rayner now has a full season under his belt and a talented Green Bay squad will get him plenty of attempts. Rayner is a definite sleeper candidate for 2007. Keep a close watch on the waiver wire and pick him up if he's producing early.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Comment: Nedny recorded 116 points last season, his highest total in 10 seasons as a pro. The 49ers improved their game all around last season and could finish first in a weak division. Frank Gore and Alex Smith have raised their game, and the defense has improved readily. Nedny figures to be an important part of a suddenly compelling San Francisco team.

Detroit Lions
Comment: Last seasons 117-point performance was his highest total since 1997. Although Hanson never lived up to the potential of his first few seasons, he has shown himself to be consistently reliable. With the Lions poised to have a successful year, Hanson will get plenty of chances to make good on that promise and prove his worth to the franchise that has been his home since 1992.




Miami Dolphins
Comment: Kickers often have trouble repeating last season's glitzy performance, and Feely is more indicative of this than any other player. In 2002 and 2005 he led the League in points, posting 138 and 148 respectively. However, he produced two sub-100-point seasons in between these. What should owners expect from Feely in 2007? Probably more inconsistency. Now with the Dolphins, he doesn't have a high-powered offense to rely on, and will see fewer opportunities. Still, don't count him out. More than just a strong leg, he has loads of experience to rely on.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Comment: Lindell converted 92 percent of field goal attempts in 2006. The problem, however, is the Bills offense, which is amongst the worst in the league. Lindell will not warrant a roster slot unless the Bills offense suddenly boosts its production. He has a strong leg and some experience. But playing for the Bills, he just wont get enough attempts to make him a strong fantasy pick.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Comment: Reed's production has fallen steadily over the past two seasons. And while inconsistency is expected at this position, Reed has done little to show that he can capitalize on the glimmer of potential he flashed in 2004 when he converted 85% of his attempts en route to a 124-point season.