Who Should I Start? Wil Lutz or Charlie Smyth

Monday, January 13, 10:54 AM

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz was a top-10 fantasy kicker during the regular season, but we warned fantasy managers setting DFS lineups in playoff leagues to avoid him for the wild-card matchup in Buffalo against the Bills on Sunday. Hopefully you did, as Lutz didn't attempt a single field goal and made just one extra point in the 31-7 blowout loss at Orchard Park. Although the Broncos put up a dud to close out what was a successful 2024 season, the 30-year-old Lutz was money in the bank for Denver in his second year with the team. He made 91.2% of his 34 field-goal attempts in 17 regular-season games and didn't miss any of his 47 extra-point opportunities on the year. In his final eight games, Lutz made all 27 of his field goals and went 13-for-13 on extra points. With impressive QB Bo Nix leading Denver's offense moving forward, Lutz should easily be a top-12 fantasy kicking option this fall.

Sunday, August 25, 6:35 PM

New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth (groin) didn't suit up during Sunday's preseason contest against the Tennessee Titans. The rookie kicker has been dealing with an ongoing groin issue since Friday. Head coach Dennis Allen said that the team wanted to play it safe and hold Smyth out of this game. In his absence, Blake Grupe handled the kicking duties during the preseason finale. He connected on both his field goal attempts and made all three of his extra point attempts as well. It remains to be seen which kicker the team decides to ride with into the regular season. Grupe is probably the favorite after making 30-of-37 field goal attempts and all 40 extra point attempts during his rookie season with the Saints in 2023.