Fantasy Football - Defense and Kickers

Tim Williams - AccuScore Analyst
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Don’t read this.

Seriously, stop. You’re wasting your time. There’s nothing of value to gain here. Defensive units and kickers don’t matter in fantasy football. “Oh sure,” you say, “then why would they be available positions?” I honestly do not know. I also don’t know why people take defenses in the eighth round, or worse, kickers in the 12^th round.

Last year the difference between the top defensive/special teams unit, and the 12^th place unit was about four points. That’s only because the Chargers had an incredible amount of interceptions. The second place Patriots were only two points per week better than the 12^th place Steelers. The Patriots were selected in the ninth round of most drafts. The Steelers were selected in the 15^th round.

The difference between the top kicker and the 12^th ranked kicker was just 1.7 points per week. Last year the top kicker was Mason Crosby. The year before the top kicker was Robbie Gould. The thing they have in common? Neither one was taken in most fantasy drafts in the year they finished number one. Guys like Adam Vinatieri were taken as early as the tenth round in some drafts, yet Vinatieri finished in 17^th place.

The truth is that no one in their right mind carries more than one defensive unit or kicker, unless they’re in a bye week. That’s not to say that you should take the Cardinals over the Giants, but that the difference between the Giants and the Titans doesn’t really matter. The chances of you finding the top kicker on the waiver wire again this season isn’t a guarantee, but the chance of finding a top 12 kicker on the wire is almost 100 percent.

So with the importance of these positions, or lack thereof, being stated, let’s break down these two positions. Just remember, any excess thought on which defensive unit or kicker to take is most likely going to be a big waste of time.

Guys I’m targeting

Tennessee – The Titans are the 12^th defense taken in most drafts, but AccuScore has them ranked as the fourth best unit. I agree with that ranking, as the team finished ninth last year, and would have been better had it not been for the Albert Haynesworth factor. Haynesworth proved that he was the key to the Titans defensive unit. Without him, the Titans scored in the negatives three weeks in a row. With Haynesworth in the lineup, the Titans averaged 10.7 points per week, which would have been good enough for third place last season.

Jeff Reed – The Steelers had the highest field goal percentage last season, and it was due to Reed being automatic, going 23 for 25 in field goals. Reed has hit 83 percent of his field goals over the last four years, and that includes a down year in 2006 where he only hit 74.1 percent. AccuScore has him ranked as the ninth kicker this season, and he’s not even one of the top 12 kickers off the board in most drafts.

The Sleepers

Seattle Seahawks – There’s no reason to get cute here. The Seahawks were the third best defense last year. They play in the horrible NFC West. They’re going undrafted in most leagues. They’re the ninth best defensive unit in AccuScore simulations. I like them a lot more than that due to the strong defense coming from young stars like Lofa Tatupu and Marcus Trufant.

Josh Scobee – He’s the number three ranked kicker in AccuScore simulations, yet he’s not even being drafted in most drafts. I’m not going to lie to you. I feel it’s pointless to discuss sleeper kickers, so that’s all you get out of me.

The Busts

Minnesota Vikings – And any other defense you draft before the next to last round.

Nate Kaeding – And any other kicker you draft before the last round.

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