Who Should I Start? Jake Moody or Blake Grupe

Tuesday, May 27, 1:33 PM

San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody struggled last year after returning from a high-ankle sprain. The former third-rounder changed his approach this offseason from taking three steps before a kick to just two, according to The Athletic's Vic Tafur. Because Moody missed nine of 20 field-goal attempts in the last nine games, forcing the Niners to bring in veteran kicker Greg Joseph to give Moody competition this year. Before getting injured last year, the 25-year-old made 13 of his first 14 field-goal tries before spraining his ankle in a Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals when he tried to make a tackle on a kickoff. He missed the next three games and wasn't the same when he returned. Moody is now fully healthy and likes the way he's kicking the ball this offseason, so he'll be a bounce-back candidate as a starting fantasy kicker in 2025.

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.