Who Should I Start? Michael Badgley or Riley Patterson

Tuesday, December 16, 5:52 PM

The Buffalo Bills announced on Tuesday that they have signed free-agent kicker Michael Badgley to their practice squad. Tyler Bass (hip) will miss the entire 2025 season, and the Bills already ruled out replacement Matt Prater (quadriceps) for their Week 16 game this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Badgley beat out Matthew Wright during a tryout on Tuesday and is expected to eventually be promoted to the active 53-man roster to kick this weekend in Cleveland. The 30-year-old resurfaced in the NFL this year after not kicking at all in 2024. In seven games with the Indianapolis Colts, Badgley made 10 of his 11 field-goal attempts and 18 of his 21 extra-point opportunities. In likely frigid temperatures in Cleveland this weekend, Badgley will be a deep-league streaming option at the position, at best, in Week 16.

Saturday, December 13, 6:51 PM

Miami Dolphins kicker Riley Patterson has been solid but not spectacular this season, while filling in for Jason Sanders (hip), who remains on IR. Patterson has made 23 of his 25 field goal attempts and 28 of his 29 extra point attempts. He didn't have any issues on the road in the cold against the Jets last week, making all four of his kicks. This week, he'll be on the road for a night game in Pittsburgh with very cold temperatures again in the forecast. While it won't be ideal conditions for long field goals, Patterson has been consistent enough from short range to not be a total "must avoid" option, especially since the Steelers have been a top-10 matchup for kickers. Patterson is the No. 19 kicker in RotoBaller's Week 15 rankings, so there are potentially kickers with more upside on the waiver wire in most standard-sized leagues this week.