Who Should I Start? Chase McLaughlin or Rodrigo Blankenship

Friday, January 3, 8:42 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin was extremely busy during last week's win over the Carolina Panthers. McLaughlin made eight kicks during that game, including six extra points. McLaughlin has been one of the better kicking options this season with only four misses heading into Week 18. He figures to continue having success in a plus-matchup against the New Orleans Saints. McLaughlin registered seven kicks during their last meeting. The 28-year-old is likely to remain busy given how the Bucs offense has been playing lately.

Monday, August 21, 6:14 PM

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived kicker Rodrigo Blankenship on Monday. Blankenship lost the kicking battle to Chase McLaughlin in training camp this summer and will now look to latch on with another team before the start of the 2023 regular season. The 26-year-old spent last year with the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals, going 4-for-5 on his field-goal tries and 4-for-5 on extra points in just three total games. As long as Tampa doesn't bring in more competition for McLaughlin to close out the preseason, he should enter Week 1 as the team's starting kicker. McLaughlin, 27, made 83.3 percent of his 36 field-goal attempts and made all 21 of his extra-point tries in 16 games with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. The kicking position in Tampa won't be as exciting in fantasy now that Tom Brady isn't running the offense in 2023.