Who Should I Start? Evan McPherson or Spencer Shrader

Sunday, September 15, 11:04 PM

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson had a productive game for fantasy managers in the Week 2 meeting against the Chiefs. After making one kick in the Week 1 loss to the Patriots, the 25-year-old had four on Sunday, including a 53-yarder in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, a missed extra-point attempt would prove costly, with the Chiefs winning the contest by one, thanks to a field goal from Harrison Butker as time expired. At any rate, McPherson is one of the best kickers in the National Football League, meaning he deserves starting consideration in all fantasy lineups when the Bengals meet the Commanders in the Week 3 Monday Night Football matchup.

Saturday, September 7, 1:25 PM

The Indianapolis Colts elevated rookie kicker Spencer Shrader and cornerback Chris Lammons from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster on Saturday in advance of the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans. This is a clear sign that starting kicker Matt Gay (hernia), who is listed as questionable for Week 1, will end up being inactive on Sunday morning after he recently underwent surgery for a sports hernia. Gay is questionable to kick on Sunday, but he missed practice all week and is probably more doubtful than anything. Fantasy managers that were planning to use Gay in Week 1 should have already been looking for other options this weekend. Rolling with Shrader in his first NFL game would be unwise given all the other options available on the waiver wire.