Who Should I Start? Michael Badgley or Spencer Shrader

Tuesday, March 4, 3:15 PM

The Detroit Lions recently cleared veteran kicker Michael Badgley (groin) from the torn groin that kept him out for all of last season, a source tells NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. While Badgley has made a full recovery, he's now set to become a free agent next week. With the 29-year-old out of commission all year, Jake Bates served as Detroit's regular kicker and was very reliable, missing only three of his 29 field-goal attempts in 17 regular-season games while missing three of his 67 extra-point attempts in his first year in the league. Because of how good Bates looked in 2024, it's likely that the Lions will let Badgley walk in free agency as he heads into his eighth year in the NFL. Badgley has a career 82.4 percent success rate on 119 field-goal attempts in 64 games played. In four games with Detroit in 2023, he made all four of his FGs and went 13-for-15 on extra points.

Saturday, September 13, 8:26 AM

Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader will host the Denver Broncos in Week 2. Shrader had a big Week 1, hitting all four of his field-goal attempts and adding three extra points in a 33-8 win over the Miami Dolphins. The Colts might have a tougher time moving the ball on offense in Week 2 as the Broncos possess one of the top defenses in the league. Shrader is worth monitoring in fantasy thanks to his strong Week 1, but he should not be in fantasy lineups heading into Week 2 due to the imposing matchup.