Who Should I Start? Zane Gonzalez or Riley Patterson

Thursday, March 6, 1:30 PM

The Washington Commanders re-signed kicker Zane Gonzalez to an undisclosed deal on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Gonzalez took over for an injured Austin Seibert (hip) before Week 13 last season and finished the year (including three playoff games) by making 12 of his 15 field-goal attempts and all 27 of his extra-point tries in nine games. That was enough to convince the Commanders that the 29-year-old deserves a shot to open the 2025 season as their primary placekicker. Gonzalez was returning to the NFL in 2024 for the first time since he kicked in 12 games for the Carolina Panthers back in 2021. Washington is one of the better up-and-coming offenses in the NFL after quarterback Jayden Daniels led them to the NFC Championship in his rookie season, so at the very least, Gonzalez will be a fantasy streaming option to open next season.

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.