Who Should I Start? Jake Moody or Ryan Fitzgerald

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.

Tuesday, August 26, 12:17 AM

Carolina Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald has won the kicking job after the team released Matthew Wright, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The undrafted rookie out of Florida State went 3-for-3 on field goals and also converted his lone extra point attempt through three preseason games. He enjoyed similar success at school, going 13-for-13 on field goals during his final collegiate campaign in 2024. Although the Panthers' offense is trending up, Fitzgerald lacks fantasy appeal at the moment, especially as a rookie with no track record kicking at the professional level.