Who Should I Start? Joey Slye or Blake Grupe

Sunday, January 5, 10:28 PM

New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye went 2-for-2 on extra points and 3-for-3 on field goals during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Buffalo Bills. He converted field goals from 41, 42, and 50 yards out. The 28-year-old finished as a top-24 fantasy kicker this season, demonstrating impressive power but dealing with accuracy issues and handling reduced opportunities on a Patriots team that struggled to score points. All in all, he finished the 2024 campaign with 95.8 percent accuracy on extra points and 78.8 percent accuracy on field goals. This season was far from a disaster, and Slye did provide more stability in 2024 than Chad Ryland did as a rookie with the Patriots in 2023. Still, the Patriots may look to bring in a different kicker as they head into the 2025 campaign. Slye is slated to hit free agency in March.

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.