Who Should I Start? Jake Moody or Blake Grupe

Sunday, August 17, 4:05 AM

Kicker Jake Moody was responsible for nearly all of the 49ers' points in their 22-19 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday. Moody tacked on the extra point for Jeff Wilson Jr.'s touchdown in the second quarter and was 5-for-6 on field goal attempts. The lone miss was from 53 yards out, but the 25-year-old hit from 26, 30, 44, and 50 yards away before capping his day off with a 59-yarder as time expired to put San Francisco over the top. The performance was encouraging, though fantasy managers still don't need to go out of their way to select him in drafts. Last season, Moody was 10-for-20 on kicks beyond 40 yards, and since joining the league in 2023, his 76.3% conversion rate ranks last among kickers with at least 30 field goal attempts in that time. Moody gets one last tune-up before the regular season when the 49ers host the Chargers on August 23.

Saturday, January 4, 4:22 AM

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe was perfect in Week 17, hitting his lone extra point and a 34-yard field goal try. On the season he is 30-for-32 for extra point attempts and has converted 23 of his 27 field goal attempts. All of those misses have come from 40 yards out or further. Grupe won't be kicking in the comfort of a dome in Week 18 but he will have good weather conditions when the Saints travel to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers. That said, Grupe should probably be avoided for fantasy purposes. Since their Week 12 bye, the Saints have averaged just 11.4 points per game. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will be at the helm again in the season finale. The Saints have had a hard time sustaining drives since he took over for Derek Carr (hand), which means there is less of a chance for Grupe to get on the field. Grupe has a good leg and can be of service when called upon but the Saints' woes on offense should steer fantasy managers elsewhere in Week 18.