Who Should I Start? Jake Bates or Tanner Brown

Friday, September 12, 1:49 PM

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates held up his end of the bargain in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, nailing both of his field goal attempts and an extra-point try in his team's 27-13 loss. Bates will not have to worry about any potential weather issues in Week 2, as the Lions return home to the domed Ford Field to take on the Chicago Bears. Bates has more career points scored (21) against Chicago than any other NFL team. The Lions should also have an easier time moving the football and generating scoring opportunities against the Bears than they did against the Packers. Bates profiles as a low-end top-12 fantasy kicker in Week 2 against Chicago.

Tuesday, September 17, 2:58 PM

The Los Angeles Rams signed kicker Tanner Browns to the practice squad on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. The 24-year-old went unselected in last year's NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State and has been on and off the L.A. roster since signing with the organization after the draft. Starting kicker Joshua Karty has made all three of his field goal attempts and all three of his extra-point tries to begin the year, so it's unclear whether Brown will be given a chance to earn the starting role. Either way, the Rams offense is likely to struggle with Puka Nacua (knee), Cooper Kupp (foot), and several offensive linemen on the shelf, so he would not be an attractive fantasy kicker option if he plays anytime soon.