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Factoid

Kicker injuries

Unusual turnover at kickers in 2017

It was a weird season for kickers, with lots of injuries and roster changes – far more than we typically see. It was particularly unusual coming off the previous year, which featured unprecedented stability at the position.

In 2016, only three teams used more than one kicker, and all three used the same second kicker (Randy Bullock). So only 33 kickers played in that season – plenty of capable kicking prospects were never able to get on a 53-man roster.

But last year the kicker carousel was spinning for most of the season, with 10 teams using multiple kickers. The Chargers led the way, with five different players scoring points on field goals or PATs (that includes punter Drew Kaser, who attempted three extra points in the Thanksgiving Day game at Dallas after Nick Novak got hurt). During the season, 44 different players scored points on field goals or PATs, which is the most in recent memory.

Since the move to 32 teams, we’ve typically seen about 38 kickers per season. Only once before have 10 teams gotten points from multiple kickers.

WHOLE LOT OF KICKERS
YearPKsTeams
20004110
2001387
2002427
2003417
2004415
2005429
2006373
2007375
2008395
20094010
2010419
2011375
2012376
2013353
2014374
2015399
2016333
20174410

I think this is more of a statistically aberration than a new trend. There are lots of capable kickers out there – guys who can be counted on – and I expect we’ll settle back into the usual routine in the upcoming season, with probably all but a half dozen teams sticking with just one kicker for the season.

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index