Here are our top kickers for 2009:
#1 Dan Bailey | K1 | Jr | Oklahoma St.
Bailey won the job last year in the late stages of fall camp; too early for us to give him a decent pre-season ranking. We won't neglect the young man in 2009. With only two sub-par fantasy games last year Bailey is the model of consistency. The Cowboy offense should continue to click and Bailey should continue to satisfy.
2008 Stats: 65-of-65 XPs / 19-of-15 FGs / 110.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 61-of-60 XPs / 19-of-15 FGs / 105.0 fant pts
#2 Kyle Brotzman | K1 | Jr | Boise St.
The Boise State offense scored about five points per game less in 2008 than they did in 2007. Still, if you add in the seven extra points that Brock Jaramillo kicked against Fresno State in the final game, Brotzman came close to his 2007 fantasy numbers. Brotzman is a top-ten fantasy kicker for 2009.
2008 Stats: 50-of-50 XPs / 26-of-17 FGs / 101.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 56-of-55 XPs / 21-of-15 FGs / 100.0 fant pts
#3 Jonathan Phillips | K1 | Sr | Florida
Granted a medical redshirt so he gets to spend one more season hanging out in Gainesville and kicking for the National Champs. Not too shabby. Phillips was a steady 78-of-79 for XPs and 12-of-13 for FGs in 2008. His accuracy and the solid offense behind him make him a top 10 fantasy kicker for 2009.
2008 Stats: 79-of-78 XPs / 13-of-12 FGs / 114.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 64-of-62 XPs / 12-of-10 FGs / 92.0 fant pts
#4 Sam Glusman | K1 | Sr | Troy
Don't forget about the Sun Belt conference, and don't forget about Sam Glusman. Don't do it DAMMIT! The Troy offense is capable of running roughshod over many of their opponents, and Glusman will pile up the points. Look for at least 50 PATs again this year.
2008 Stats: 52-of-48 XPs / 29-of-20 FGs / 108.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 46-of-45 XPs / 25-of-18 FGs / 99.0 fant pts
#5 Hunter Lawrence | K1 | Sr | Texas
Hunter Lawrence looks like a real nice fantasy kicker in a Longhorn offense that should continue to provide him with many PAT opportunities. The big problem with drafting Lawrence is Ryan Bailey. Lawrence got his opportunity last year when Bailey was injured before the first game. The pre-spring depth chart lists Lawrence first, but there is an "or" between him and Bailey. Coach Brown has not been shy about making a switch mid-season, and he should feel confident with both kickers, making either a risky pick.
2008 Stats: 60-of-60 XPs / 12-of-10 FGs / 90.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 66-of-65 XPs / 13-of-10 FGs / 95.0 fant pts
#6 Brett Swenson | K1 | Sr | Michigan St.
Swenson attempted 20 fewer PATs in 2008 than in 2007. Still, he picked up the scoring slack by banging in seven more field goals. He has range out to 50 yards, so he'll see plenty of long field goal attempts again in 2009.
2008 Stats: 34-of-34 XPs / 28-of-22 FGs / 100.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 38-of-37 XPs / 24-of-19 FGs / 94.0 fant pts
#7 Joshua Shene | K1 | Sr | Mississippi
A new coaching staff and new offensive firepower worked wonders for Shene's stats in 2008. He more than doubled his extra point production and kicked six more field goals to boot. With the Rebel offense continuing its dynamic ways Shene will be a top fantasy kicker again in 2009.
2008 Stats: 52-of-52 XPs / 21-of-17 FGs / 103.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 47-of-46 XPs / 19-of-16 FGs / 94.0 fant pts
#8 Jimmy Stevens | K1 | So | Oklahoma
Stevens had a solid debut as a fantasy kicker in 2008, providing the Sooners and fantasy owners with a steady foot while kicking an average of 20 extra points per game (only a slight exaggeration). There are a few lingering questions about whether Stevens, who missed five extra points in 2008, will hold onto the job this fall and the Sooners offense matching last year's output. Which knocks him down or rankings. If you are in a league with liberal waiver wire pickups, draft him . If not, look for someone who is more of a sure thing.
2008 Stats: 99-of-94 XPs / 12-of-8 FGs / 118.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 75-of-74 XPs / 13-of-9 FGs / 101.0 fant pts
#9 Ross Evans | K2 | So | TCU
When a freshman comes in and averages over seven fantasy points per game at the kicking spot (as Ross Evans did in 2008) you've got yourself a keeper. We're looking for another good year from the TCU offense, so we like Evans in 2009.
2008 Stats: 55-of-49 XPs / 20-of-16 FGs / 97.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 48-of-47 XPs / 18-of-15 FGs / 92.0 fant pts
#10 Leigh Tiffin | K2 | Sr | Alabama
Tiffin has been a solid fantasy kicker for the past two seasons. He should continue to be a solid every-week starter, provided he can overcome injuries suffered from an assault this spring. Tiffin earns his points the old-fashioned way, by kicking field goals. His 29 field goal attempts rank behind only ECU's Ben Hartman for returning kickers.
2008 Stats: 47-of-46 XPs / 29-of-20 FGs / 106.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 34-of-34 XPs / 26-of-19 FGs / 91.0 fant pts
#11 Philip Welch | K2 | So | Wisconsin
Welch won the kicking job just before last season opened and proceeded to post an excellent campaign. Wisconsin just seems to find solid kickers year in and year out. Expect more of the same out of Welch in 2009.
2008 Stats: 40-of-39 XPs / 24-of-20 FGs / 99.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 43-of-42 XPs / 20-of-17 FGs / 93.0 fant pts
#12 Colin Wagner | K2 | Jr | Penn St.
Wagner will get the first crack at replacing the prolific Kevin Kelly. "It's his job to lose" said coach Joe Paterno. He will compete with freshman Anthony Fera among others.
2008 Stats: 3-of-3 XPs / 1-of-1 FGs / 6.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 51-of-50 XPs / 20-of-15 FGs / 95.0 fant pts
#13 Aaron Pettrey | K2 | Sr | Ohio St.
If you were allowed to use the combined stats of Ohio State's Aaron Pettrey and Ryan Pretorius last season you would have had a decent fantasy kicker. With Pretorius out of the way, the door is wide open for Pettrey to become a top ten fantasy kicker in 2009.
2008 Stats: 1-of-1 XPs / 8-of-7 FGs / 22.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 38-of-37 XPs / 23-of-18 FGs / 91.0 fant pts
#14 Alex Henery | K2 | Jr | Nebraska
Nebraska plays in the wide-open Big 12 and Henery took advantage of the scoring in 2008, posting 110 fantasy points. With two four-field goal games to end the year Henery is capable of posting a big number on any given week.
2008 Stats: 57-of-56 XPs / 21-of-18 FGs / 110.60 fant pts
2009 Projs: 47-of-46 XPs / 20-of-15 FGs / 91.0 fant pts
#15 Thomas Weber | K2 | Jr | Arizona St.
Weber went from being maybe the top kicker in 2007 to being a middle of the road fantasy spot-starter in 2008. The main culprit was a lack of extra point opportunities; he attempted 18 fewer PAT's in 2008. Weber will be solid, but he'll need some help from the Sun Devil offense to return to 2007 form.
2008 Stats: 30-of-29 XPs / 25-of-19 FGs / 86.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 30-of-29 XPs / 25-of-21 FGs / 92.0 fant pts
#16 Logan Barrett | K2 | r-Fr | UTEP
The redshirt freshman is expected to replace Jose Martinez, though he sat out spring ball rehabbing an injury. In the prolific UTEP offense Barrett could emerge as a start-worthy kicker. Kevin Lopez and Mike Scott are also in the mix.
2008 Stats: -of- XPs / -of- FGs / fant pts
2009 Projs: 49-of-48 XPs / 22-of-15 FGs / 93.0 fant pts
#17 Daniel Murray | K2 | Jr | Iowa
Murray's 15 minutes of fame came when he booted a 31-yard field goal through the uprights on Nov. 8, handing Penn State with their first loss and eliminating them from BCS title contention. The job appears to be Murray's but he might have to split time with Trent Mossbrucker.
2008 Stats: 14-of-14 XPs / 9-of-6 FGs / 32.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 42-of-41 XPs / 21-of-17 FGs / 92.0 fant pts
#18 Mitch Payne | K2 | Jr | BYU
A prolific offense will generally get you a decent fantasy kicker, and Payne is a good example of that. He's attempted 14 field goals in each of the last two seasons, so you'll be relying on PAT points to bring the Payne.
2008 Stats: 56-of-54 XPs / 14-of-10 FGs / 84.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 46-of-45 XPs / 20-of-15 FGs / 90.0 fant pts
#19 Dave Teggart | K2 | So | Connecticut
In week 9 of last year, coach Edsel said "Tony Ciaravino out, Dave Teggart in" and Teggart went on to go 12-of-15 on field goals in the five games, averaging a nice 11 fantasy points in that stretch. At that pace, you're looking at the potential for a big 2009.
2008 Stats: 16-of-16 XPs / 15-of-13 FGs / 55.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 34-of-34 XPs / 25-of-18 FGs / 88.0 fant pts
#20 Andrew Aguila | K3 | Sr | Central Mich.
Aguila made 16 fewer PATs in 2008 than in 2007, but he kicked seven more field goals to make up the difference. The Chippewa offense should produce enough to give him more extra point tries in 2009.
2008 Stats: 46-of-44 XPs / 21-of-16 FGs / 92.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 43-of-42 XPs / 20-of-16 FGs / 90.0 fant pts
#21 Matt Bosher | K3 | Jr | Miami (Fla.)
Bosher was Mr. Reliable in 2008, missing only two of 20 field goals and hitting all 40 of his point after attempts. If the Miami offense improves as expected Bosher should end the season with better stats. Miami has a rough first four games, which could hurt his numbers somewhat.
2008 Stats: 40-of-40 XPs / 20-of-18 FGs / 94.60 fant pts
2009 Projs: 38-of-37 XPs / 18-of-17 FGs / 88.0 fant pts
#22 Igor Iveljic | K3 | Jr | Akron
Igor's 28 field goal attempts are nothing to sneeze at these days. Of course only making 18 of those attempts, as Igor did in 2008, should make the allergies flare up.
2008 Stats: 40-of-38 XPs / 28-of-18 FGs / 92.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 46-of-45 XPs / 23-of-14 FGs / 87.0 fant pts
#23 Josh Arauco | K3 | Sr | Arkansas St.
Arauco increased his field goal made percentage from 65 to 89 percent last season. A few more chances this year should put him right in the mix of fantasy viability (exciting, huh?).
2008 Stats: 38-of-37 XPs / 19-of-17 FGs / 88.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 35-of-34 XPs / 22-of-18 FGs / 88.0 fant pts
#24 Morgan Flint | K3 | Sr | Oregon
Morgan Flint comes out of the spring as the starting kicker for the Ducks. If he can improve on Matt Evenson's field goal accuracy, he could be a fantasy factor. He's got to secure the starting job first.
2008 Stats: 28-of-28 XPs / 9-of-7 FGs / 49.00 fant pts
2009 Projs: 57-of-56 XPs / 22-of-14 FGs / 98.0 fant pts
# 25 Matt Hulse | K3 | So | Tulsa
Hulse is the leader in the clubhouse for this all-important fantasy kicking job, though Kevin Fitzpatrick is still in the mix as well.
2008 Stats: -of- XPs / -of- FGs / fant pts
2009 Projs: 63-of-62 XPs / 13-of-9 FGs / 89.0 fant pts