Who Should I Start? Wil Lutz or Blake Grupe

Monday, November 18, 10:37 AM

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz only attempted one field goal in Week 11 on Sunday against the visiting Atlanta Falcons but was able to stay busy with extra-point attempts in the 38-6 rout to finish as a top-12 fantasy kicker for the week. One week after missing both of his field-goal tries -- the potential game-winner was blocked at the end of regulation against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in Week 10 -- Lutz made his only field-goal attempt (from 45 yards out) and was successful on all five of his extra points against the Falcons. The 30-year-old has been one of the most accurate kickers in the league in 2024 (86.4% success rate) and ranks eighth among all kickers in total fantasy points after 11 weeks. When you add a rising Broncos offense under impressive rookie QB Bo Nix, Lutz's fantasy stock as a reliable streamer will continue in Week 12 against the floundering Las Vegas Raiders.

Saturday, November 16, 3:27 AM

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe was perfect in Week 10, converting both of his field goal attempts and both extra point tries. He scored the first points of the game against the Falcons with a 38-yard field goal in the second quarter and hit another from 26 yards out in the third quarter. On the season he has missed just one of his 19 field goal attempts and is now 21-for-23 on extra points. Grupe offers a solid floor, rarely straying far from his average 7.5 fantasy points per game. In Week 11, the Saints face the Browns, who have offered little to opposing kickers this season, though that may be because they are allowing teams to reach the end zone more often than they are stopping them short, particularly in close range. Cleveland has only seen five field goals attempted at a distance of 39 yards or fewer. They have also had the good fortune of opponents going 8-for-14 from 40 yards out or more, with just one block to their credit. Grupe is 8-for-9 from that range. Grupe isn't an option to get excited about but a top-12 finish isn't out of the question. He is worth a look for fantasy managers seeking a kicker in Week 11.