Who Should I Start? Dustin Hopkins or Tyler Loop

Friday, July 11, 2:48 PM

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins will "get every opportunity" to rebound from a down year in 2024, according to Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. Hopkins had an excellent year in 2023 when he made 33 of his 36 kicks, including all eight attempts from beyond 50 yards. He was significantly worse in 2024, going just 18-27 overall and four-for-eight from 50+ yards out. Easterling notes that Hopkins' primary competition in Browns' camp is Andre Szmyt, who has yet to record a kick in an NFL game. Hopkins is just starting a three-year contract extension that he signed in July 2024, so the team is counting on him regaining his prior form. RotoBaller currently has Hopkins ranked as kicker #27 for fantasy.

Monday, August 4, 9:34 AM

The Baltimore Ravens released kicker John Hoyland on Saturday, leaving rookie Tyler Loop as the lone kicker on the roster. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Loop is "kicking well enough to win the job." A sixth-round pick out of Arizona, Loop made 83.8% of his field goals and 98.4% of his extra-point attempts in 50 career college games. The 24-year-old is poised to fill the shoes of longtime Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, who was released this offseason amidst multiple allegations of sexual misconduct after 13 years with the team. Baltimore could always bring in a veteran kicker later in the summer, so Loop will still need to perform throughout the preseason to hold the job.