Who Should I Start? Blake Grupe or Jake Bates
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Blake Grupe News
Wednesday, August 5, 9:49 AM
Indianapolis Colts kicker Blake Grupe has the statistical edge over Spencer Shrader through the opening stretch of training camp, according to Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star. Special teams coordinator Brian Mason cautioned that the team is evaluating more than the results reporters see, including ball flight, pre-practice work, and how each kicker progresses throughout camp. Grupe made all 11 of his field-goal attempts and all 10 extra points in five games with Indianapolis last season, while Shrader went 13-for-14 on field goals and 14-for-14 on extra points before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Grupe may be ahead for now, but this remains an open competition, with scrimmage and preseason kicks expected to carry extra weight. Neither kicker belongs on fantasy draft boards until the Colts settle on a winner.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Jake Bates News
Wednesday, March 25, 1:35 PM
The Detroit Lions officially announced on Wednesday that they re-signed kicker Jake Bates to an undisclosed deal. Bates was an exclusive-rights free agent. The 27-year-old will return for his third season with the Lions in 2026. The former undrafted free agent out of Arkansas has become one of the more reliable kickers in fantasy football over the last couple of seasons in a Lions offense that should remain formidable in 2026. Last year in 17 games, Bates made 27 of his 34 field-goal tries (4-for-9 from 50-plus yards) and a league-high 54 extra points on 56 tries. He has made 84.1% of his 63 field-goal attempts in his two years in the NFL while succeeding on 95.9% of his 123 extra-point attempts. Bates was the No. 6 fantasy kicker in 2025. It also helps that half of his games come indoors, mitigating his volatility.
Blake Grupe vs. Jake Bates
Still trying to decide between Grupe and Bates? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Blake Grupe is projected to score 5.0 points this week while Jake Bates is projected to score 7.8 points.
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