Who Should I Start? Jake Bates or Joshua Karty

Sunday, September 8, 1:07 AM

Detroit Lions Kicker Jake Bates will face the Los Angeles Rams at home in Week 1. Bates had a good season in the UFL earlier this year, kicking a 64-yard field goal and two other field goals of 60 or more yards. The 25-year-old had never attempted a field goal in his football career until earlier this year, but he proved during his time in the UFL that he could hang with the best. He signed a two-year deal with the Lions this offseason and could be considered to start just because of how high-scoring this matchup is expected to be. Bates is listed as K18 on RotoBaller's Week 1 Rankings.

Friday, September 13, 7:06 PM

Los Angeles Rams rookie kicker Joshua Karty turned in a good performance in Week 1 in a hostile environment at Detroit. He made two field goals with a long of 41 yards and all of his extra points. With another test on the road, this time against a division opponent, the pressure will once again be on the Stanford product. But he looked up to the challenge in Week 1 and was unfazed by the raucous crowd. Fantasy managers can wait and see how Karty backs up his opening performance, but he could emerge later in the season as a viable starting fantasy option at the position.