Who Should I Start? Daniel Carlson or Eddy Piñeiro

Friday, September 12, 2:46 PM

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson kicked off his 2025 campaign with a solid Week 1 performance, tying for the No. 8 kicker spot with 11 fantasy points against the Patriots. The reliable Raiders specialist showcased his impressive leg strength by connecting from both 40 and 51 yards while adding a pair of extra points. Though he missed an ambitious 58-yard attempt before halftime, Carlson's powerful leg remains a valuable fantasy asset. Heading into Week 2, he faces a Chargers defense that surrendered 21 points to the Chiefs ' offense, suggesting ample scoring opportunities should be available. While not an elite option, Carlson's proven accuracy and favorable matchup position him as a dependable low-end starting kicker for managers seeking consistency from their special teams slot this weekend.

Saturday, September 13, 2:00 PM

San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro revealed that he had offers from at least two teams before signing with the Niners this past week. Pineiro acknowledged that he chose the 49ers over an offer from the Atlanta Falcons. While the veteran kicker did not explain his reasoning for the decision, it's likely because he was offered a 53-man roster spot with San Francisco, whereas Atlanta merely wanted to add him to the practice squad as competition for Younghoee Koo. The Falcons pivoted to John Parker Romo, who will now add some pressure on Koo going forward. As for Pineiro, the veteran kicker will be active for his 49ers debut on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. He owns an impressive 88.1 percent success rate on field goals through his five years in the NFL, which includes stints with the Bears, Jets, and Panthers. Pineiro has top-12 kicker upside in fantasy football, but scoring opportunities could be a little harder to come by with Brock Purdy (shoulder), George Kittle (hamstring), and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) sidelined. On the other hand, Mac Jones' drives may stall just over midfield, creating more long field goal opportunities for Pineiro. He's a solid streaming option in leagues with 12+ teams.