Who Should I Start? Joey Slye or Spencer Shrader

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.

Tuesday, November 26, 3:14 PM

Kansas City Chiefs rookie kicker Spencer Shrader (hamstring) will not participate in the team's first practice of the week on Tuesday. On a short week -- the Chiefs play the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders this Friday -- Shrader's availability is now in question. Harrison Butker (knee) is on Injured Reserve, so the 25-year-old was scooped up off the New York Jets' practice squad and has served as KC's kicker the last two games. He's held his own for the Super Bowl champions, converting on all three of his field-goal tries and all six of his extra-point attempts. As insurance, the Chiefs added Matthew Wright to their practice squad on Tuesday. The Raiders have allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers, so whoever is kicking for Kansas City on Black Friday is at least worth a look as a streamer at the position in Week 13. Whether the Chiefs activate Wright to the active roster will be a telling sign for Shrader this week.