Lance's 2022 Fantasy Sleepers: Kickers
I’m including this explanation for everyone that likes to pick and choose which articles of these they want to check out, if you’re someone that reads all them you can probably skip this area and jump down to my sleepers. The rules for my “top” pick and my “3 others” remain the same, they have to actually be sleepers. But I would like to elaborate on the rules behind my rookie and dark horse pick, for better understanding. For the rookie it has to be someone that wasn’t taken in the first round, and isn’t actively being hyped up by analysts. For the dark horse it has to be someone so far down most people's boards that they forgot that player even exists, or at least that’s the case for RBs, WRs and TEs. For QBs, Kickers and Defenses it just has to be someone you’ll typically find in the 20-32 range, and if they’re name isn’t being talked about, or if they are being talked about it negatively then that’s a bonus!
I’d consider it a successful pick if my “top” pick finishes top ten, my 3 others finish top 15, and my rookie and dark horse finish top 20. Last year I hit a grand slam with Matt Gay and Nick Folk (both finished top 5), as well as my rookie pick Evan McPherson and my dark horse Dustin Hopkins (both finished top ten). Alright, enough of that, here are my K sleepers:
Top: Greg Zuerlein (NY Jets)
Y'all just read Zuerlein's name and one of two things popped in your head. Either "Of course, it's Zuerlein, he's not a sleeper," or "He's with the Jets now! How can you even say that?" To the person who had the first thought, I'd say most will not consider him because of the team he's now on. However, the Jets are a much better, younger, explosive team than you've grown accustomed to. Elijah Moore had a solid rookie year, and he should be ready to really take off this season. They drafted the uber-talented Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. They brought in C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin to upgrade their Tight End position. As long as the big armed Zach Wilson is ready to roll this year, this offense will cook, and that's a plus for the guy kicking the ball.
3 Others: Rodrigo Blankenship (Indianapolis), Jason Sanders (Miami), Brandon McManus (Denver)
Do you guys remember Blankenship, or did you already forget about him because he was hurt basically all last season? In case you did forget, he finished as the K6 in fantasy land in 2020, his rookie season. With Matt Ryan now running the offense and Blankenship back to full health you should be targeting him in your drafts.
We all know the lengths Miami went to this offseason to improve their offense, so there's no more excuses for Tagovailoa. Unfortunately Miami fans, I still think there are going to be some struggles from Tua. The offense is still loaded with talent though, so moving the ball downfield to at least get into FG range should be a regular sight this season.
I'd have to double-check, but I think McManus has been on this list in some shape or form in each of the years I've done this. He's a staple! But I truly believe I won't be able to list him here next year, because the addition of Russell Wilson to an already loaded offense should provide plenty of scoring opportunities for McManus.
Rookie: Cade York (Cleveland)
He was the only rookie drafted, and compared to the undrafted rookies, he has the clearest path to starting. Bonus, if Deshaun Watson plays this year he should see plenty of chances to kick the ball through the uprights.
Dark Horse: Zane Gonzalez (Carolina)
Carolina has a sneaky good looking offense. I don't think they're going to compete for a playoff spot or anything, but I like the addition of Matt Corral under Center, and I love the addition of Ikem Ekwonu on the blindside. Both should make this offense more fruitful and in turn that will help out Gonzalez.
