Who Should I Start? Blake Grupe or Spencer Shrader

Saturday, January 4, 4:22 AM

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe was perfect in Week 17, hitting his lone extra point and a 34-yard field goal try. On the season he is 30-for-32 for extra point attempts and has converted 23 of his 27 field goal attempts. All of those misses have come from 40 yards out or further. Grupe won't be kicking in the comfort of a dome in Week 18 but he will have good weather conditions when the Saints travel to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers. That said, Grupe should probably be avoided for fantasy purposes. Since their Week 12 bye, the Saints have averaged just 11.4 points per game. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will be at the helm again in the season finale. The Saints have had a hard time sustaining drives since he took over for Derek Carr (hand), which means there is less of a chance for Grupe to get on the field. Grupe has a good leg and can be of service when called upon but the Saints' woes on offense should steer fantasy managers elsewhere in Week 18.

Tuesday, November 26, 3:14 PM

Kansas City Chiefs rookie kicker Spencer Shrader (hamstring) will not participate in the team's first practice of the week on Tuesday. On a short week -- the Chiefs play the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders this Friday -- Shrader's availability is now in question. Harrison Butker (knee) is on Injured Reserve, so the 25-year-old was scooped up off the New York Jets' practice squad and has served as KC's kicker the last two games. He's held his own for the Super Bowl champions, converting on all three of his field-goal tries and all six of his extra-point attempts. As insurance, the Chiefs added Matthew Wright to their practice squad on Tuesday. The Raiders have allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers, so whoever is kicking for Kansas City on Black Friday is at least worth a look as a streamer at the position in Week 13. Whether the Chiefs activate Wright to the active roster will be a telling sign for Shrader this week.