Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland (38) against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Jan. 5, 2025.

Not all fantasy football leagues require managers to roster kickers nowadays, but the position did prove its worth last season.

NFL kickers enjoyed a lot of success from 50-plus yards. Dallas Cowboys star Brandon Aubrey set a new league record by making 14 field goals from that distance while NFL kickers combined to make 200 of their 287 attempts (69.7%).

Will this success carry over into 2025? That remains to be seen, but it will encourage fantasy managers to continue to target kickers with big legs – and those in high-scoring offenses – as potential high-end point producers.

Here are three kickers to trust in Week 1 and three that may be better off riding the pine or remaining on the waiver wire to kickstart the fantasy football season.

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 1 kickers

Wil Lutz, Denver Broncos (vs. Tennessee Titans)

The Broncos ranked 10th in the NFL in points per game last season (24) and their home stadium is one of the most kicker-friendly in the league. Lutz should have plenty of kicking opportunities against the Titans, who allowed the third-most points per game in the NFL last season (27.1).

Cam Little, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Carolina Panthers)

Speaking of teams that sported poor scoring defenses last season, the Panthers allowed a league-high 31.4 points per game to their opponents. Little made a 70-yard field goal during the 2025 NFL preseason, so his leg strength should make him a high-end start for fantasy managers in leagues that award extra points for field goals longer than 50 yards.

Chad Ryland, Arizona Cardinals (at New Orleans Saints)

Ryland will have an advantage kicking in the controlled environment at the Superdome. The Saints were tied for the fourth-most field goals allowed during the 2024 NFL season, so Ryland should have ample opportunities to get on the board after making 28 of 32 field goals last season.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 1 kickers

Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)

Butker and the Chiefs are opening the season by playing against the Chargers in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Last season, the field on which the NFL contested the game was slick, and many players slipped in the early stages of the game.

Will that happen again? Maybe not, but it's worth noting neither the Green Bay Packers nor the Philadelphia Eagles made a field goal of longer than 38 yards in the Brazil game last season. That could limit the ceilings of both Butker and Cameron Dicker in this matchup, with Butker being in greater danger of a disappointing outing.

Tyler Loop, Baltimore Ravens (at Buffalo Bills)

Buffalo is a notoriously difficult environment in which to kick. Loop performed well in the preseason –making 9 of 11 field goals, including one from 61 yards – but it's hard to trust the sixth-round rookie to deliver in his first-ever NFL regular-season action.

Cairo Santos, Chicago Bears (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

Santos is as consistent and accurate as they come, but it's worth wondering how many opportunities he'll get in Week 1. Chicago is breaking in a lot of new starters on offense, so it isn't clear whether Ben Johnson's squad will be able to create ample scoring opportunities against Brian Flores' blitz-happy defenses.

Add in Johnson's penchant for going for it on fourth down while with Dan Campbell's Lions and Santos may not have the opportunity needed to challenge for a top 10 kicker spot this week.

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 1

Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 1.

→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here's who to start and who to sit in Week 1.

→ Defense (and special teams) can win you championships – including your fantasy league's. Here are some of the best D/ST units to start and sit in Week 1.

→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here's who you should start and sit in Week 1.

→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 1 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em kickers: Week 1 fantasy football

Reporting by Jacob Camenker, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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