Who Should I Start? Anders Carlson or Jake Bates

Wednesday, June 18, 12:31 PM

The New York Jets released kicker Anders Carlson on Wednesday and signed kicker Harrison Mevis in a corresponding move, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Mevis made 20 of his 21 field-goal attempts (95.2%) this year while playing for the UFL's Birmingham Stallions. Carlson, 27, is the younger brother of Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson. The Auburn product hasn't been as good as his older brother in the NFL, though, making 83.3% of his 48 field-goal tries since entering the league in 2023 with the Green Bay Packers. He went 13-for-15 on his field goals and 12-for-15 on extra points in seven games in 2024 with the San Francisco 49ers and the Jets. Carlson will now look for another team to sign with before training camp. Mevis will be competing with Caden Davis for the starting kicking job this summer.

Wednesday, December 24, 10:39 PM

Across 15 games this season, Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has converted on 22 of 28 field goal attempts and 52 out of 54 extra-point tries. Bates has the benefit of being tied to the Detroit offense, which enters Week 17 ranked second in the NFL in points per game (30.1). However, Bates and the Lions will face one of the league's top scoring defenses in Week 17 when they travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings. Over the last three weeks, Minnesota has allowed opponents to score an average of just 13 points per game. In the first matchup between the two NFC North division rivals this season in Week 9, the Lions were held to 24 points, their fourth-lowest mark in a game in 2025. If there's one benefit for Bates, the game will be played indoors, which eliminates any weather concerns for the kicking game. Bates remains a viable starting kicker for fantasy managers in Week 17, but he profiles as a low-end option rather than a must-start player at the position against Minnesota.