Who Should I Start? Justin Tucker or Riley Patterson

Monday, May 5, 5:32 PM

Baltimore Ravens executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta revealed the team's release of veteran kicker Justin Tucker in an official statement on X. Amid allegations of potential misconduct, the thirteen-year pro is out in Baltimore. The 35-year-old is currently still the league's most accurate kicker, though Kansas City's Harrison Butker is hot on his heels and could overtake him. Before 2024, Tucker was seemingly a shoo-in for best kicker in fantasy, but things took a turn with the news of allegations against him. Never falling under an 82.3% success rate in a given season, his production cratered last year -- setting career-lows in makes and attempts (22-for-30) while missing two extra-point attempts for the first time since 2019. It's unclear what the outcome will be regarding his legal issues, nor if he'll find a job with another NFL team. It's an unfortunate instance that tarnishes a fantastic career.

Saturday, January 4, 9:52 PM

Atlanta Falcons kicker Riley Patterson is a solid fantasy option this weekend in his team's divisional clash with the visiting Carolina Panthers. The 25-year-old has been fine since taking over the Falcons kicking job for an injured Younghoe Koo (hip). In four appearances this season, Patterson has been automatic on his 11 XP attempts but has missed a field goal try in each of his last two games. He'll get a dream outing in Week 18 against a Panthers defense that's allowed the most points per game in the league (31) and the most fantasy points per game to the kicking position (10.5). The Falcons bolster a 28-point implied point total for the contest, so the Memphis product projects to be afforded a few chances to get on the board against one of the league's worst defenses. Patterson ranks as RotoBaller's K10 ahead of this weekend's slate of action.