Who Should I Start? Joey Slye or Spencer Shrader

Friday, October 18, 12:39 PM

New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye has not been a dependable fantasy option over the last two weeks, but he could generate some streaming appeal in deeper leagues for Week 7. This Sunday, Slye will kick against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Given that the Jaguars have allowed the second-most points per game this season, the Patriots should have plenty of scoring opportunities, opening the way for Slye to get involved. Furthermore, the New England offense has shown additional signs of life ever since benching Jacoby Brissett for Drake Maye. Brissett averaged just 0.4 passing touchdowns per game as the Patriots' starter while Maye threw for three touchdowns in his first career start last weekend. Between a favorable matchup and the Patriots offense's upward trajectory, Slye becomes a fringe top-12 fantasy option at the kicker position. He's worth considering if your primary kicker is injured or on a bye week.

Saturday, September 7, 1:25 PM

The Indianapolis Colts elevated rookie kicker Spencer Shrader and cornerback Chris Lammons from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster on Saturday in advance of the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans. This is a clear sign that starting kicker Matt Gay (hernia), who is listed as questionable for Week 1, will end up being inactive on Sunday morning after he recently underwent surgery for a sports hernia. Gay is questionable to kick on Sunday, but he missed practice all week and is probably more doubtful than anything. Fantasy managers that were planning to use Gay in Week 1 should have already been looking for other options this weekend. Rolling with Shrader in his first NFL game would be unwise given all the other options available on the waiver wire.