Week 9 of the 2025 fantasy football season brings brutal bye weeks, forcing managers to scour waivers for kicker talent. This deep dive provides expert rankings, identifies hidden gem streamers like Evan McPherson and Ka’imi Fairbairn, and warns against risky plays such as Brandon McManus and Matt Gay, ensuring your lineup has the steadiest leg during a chaotic period.
The 2025 NFL season is barreling towards its midway point, and with it comes the dreaded fantasy football bye weeks. As rosters thin and injuries mount, finding reliable production can feel like a Herculean task. Nowhere is this more apparent than at the kicker position, where weekly streamers can make or break your matchup. But fear not, fantasy managers! There’s an abundance of quietly productive kickers available on waivers, ready to step into your lineup and deliver crucial points.
This week, the strategy is simple: target kickers in stable situations with high implied team totals and favorable matchups. We’re looking for guys who consistently get scoring opportunities, whether it’s long-range field goals or multiple extra points. With several key teams on bye, including the Eagles, Buccaneers, Jets, and Browns, according to the Yahoo Sports Fantasy Staff, finding a strong replacement is paramount. Let’s break down the top targets and those best left on the bench for Week 9.
Week 9 Top Kicker Rankings: Who Rises to the Top?
Heading into Week 9, the rankings reflect both consistent performers and those with prime matchups. Analyzing projections from various fantasy experts, here’s a consensus view of the kickers you should prioritize:
- Brandon Aubrey (ARI)
- Evan McPherson (CIN)
- Ka’imi Fairbairn (HOU)
- Harrison Butker (KC)
- Younghoe Koo (ATL)
- Chad Ryland (ARI)
- Justin Tucker (BAL)
- Will Reichard (MIN)
- Jake Elliott (PHI)
- Austin Seibert (WAS)
- Jake Bates (DET)
- Blake Grupe (NO)
- Chris Boswell (IND)
- Cameron Dicker (LAC)
- Tyler Loop (MIA)
As always, these rankings are fluid, but they provide a solid foundation for your Week 9 decisions. For detailed, real-time projections, many fantasy managers rely on tools like those provided by FantasyPros.
Streamers to Elevate Your Lineup: Identifying the Unclaimed Talent
When half your roster is on bye, the waiver wire becomes your best friend. Many kickers rostered in fewer than 60% of leagues are quietly delivering top-tier fantasy production. Here are the top streamers to target for Week 9:
Evan McPherson (CIN) vs. Chicago Bears
Despite the Bengals’ uneven play, Evan McPherson has remained a pillar of consistency. In Week 8, he was perfect, hitting his sole field goal and all five extra points in a high-scoring affair. He boasts an impressive 11-of-13 on field goals and a flawless 19-of-19 on extra points for the season. Facing the Chicago Bears, a matchup that could easily turn into a shootout, McPherson offers both a high floor and significant upside. His ability to connect from long range with ease makes him a premium streaming option.
Ka’imi Fairbairn (HOU) vs. Denver Broncos
Often overlooked, Ka’imi Fairbairn has been a fantasy revelation. Coming off a 14-point Week 8 performance (4-for-4 FGs, 2 XPs), he has been perfect on kicks for three straight contests. With 17-of-19 field goals and a perfect 12-of-12 on extra points this season, his consistency is undeniable. The Texans have already had their bye, making Fairbairn a set-and-forget option moving forward. Against a Denver Broncos defense that hasn’t completely stifled opposing kickers, Fairbairn’s powerful leg and steady opportunities make him an ideal pick-up.
Chad Ryland (ARI) at Dallas Cowboys
For those in deeper leagues or seeking a truly sneaky play, Chad Ryland is the answer. Currently sitting as the K12 overall, he delivered 12 points in Week 7 (prior to Arizona’s bye) against the Packers, marking his fifth double-digit outing in seven games. His season stats of 13-of-15 field goals and perfect extra points are remarkable for a player owned in just 2% of leagues. Playing indoors against the Dallas Cowboys, whose defense can bend enough to allow field goal attempts, Ryland is poised for another busy and productive week, making him a potential long-term asset.
Will Reichard (MIN) vs. Indianapolis Colts
A true gem, Will Reichard (K9 overall) has been a model of consistency, amassing 70 fantasy points with a flawless record in both field goals and extra points. Despite his elite performance, he remains available in a significant majority of leagues. With the Vikings favored by six points at home against the Colts and an implied team total of 25.75 points, Reichard is in a prime spot for ample scoring opportunities. His reliability makes him one of the best streaming options available, as noted by 4for4 Fantasy Football projections.
Jake Bates (DET) at Green Bay Packers
While some sources suggest caution, the prevailing sentiment and his recent performance make Jake Bates a strong stream candidate. He notched a solid 12 fantasy points last week, totaling 29 points in his last three games. The Lions are 3.5-point road favorites against the Green Bay Packers in an NFC North battle with the second-highest over/under in Week 9 (49 points). Bates should see plenty of action in a game projected to be high-scoring, making him a valuable weekly play for fantasy managers.
Austin Seibert (WAS)
Austin Seibert has flown under the radar, baffling experts who consistently rank him high. Despite being dropped in some Yahoo leagues, he’s quietly posted elite numbers. His consistent performance makes him a top waiver wire pickup, especially for managers who haven’t been paying attention to his steady scoring.
Kickers to Avoid: Proceed with Caution
While opportunities abound, some kickers face unfavorable matchups, injury concerns, or simply too much inconsistency to trust in Week 9. Steer clear of these options:
Brandon McManus (GB) vs. Carolina Panthers
Returning from a quad injury in Week 8, Brandon McManus showed some rust, missing two field goals from 57 and 44 yards. Now, he faces the Carolina Panthers, a team that has allowed the tenth-fewest fantasy points to kickers and has yet to surrender a 50-yarder. Given his recent struggles and the tough matchup, expecting many quality field goal attempts is unrealistic. It’s best to avoid McManus this week.
Matt Gay (WAS) vs. Seattle Seahawks
Matt Gay’s situation is currently a messy one. He was questionable with a back injury in Week 8 and was ultimately downgraded to out. Even when healthy, Gay has been inconsistent, missing four of his 14 field goal attempts. Back injuries can linger for kickers, making his status precarious. Furthermore, the Washington Commanders’ offense, led by Marcus Mariota, has struggled to generate consistent scoring chances. They face a Seattle Seahawks defense that allows the eighth-fewest points to kickers, limiting opportunities. With a replacement kicker (Matthew Wright) only recently signed, Washington’s kicking game is not trustworthy right now.
Cam Little (JAC) at Las Vegas Raiders
Once a preseason darling for his 70-yard field goal, Cam Little’s 2025 season has been disappointing. He’s missed at least one kick in three of his last four games and hasn’t had a double-digit fantasy outing since Week 3. The Jaguars offense struggles with consistency and is among the most penalized in the league, often leading to stalled drives or touchdowns rather than field goal attempts. While the indoor matchup against the Raiders is appealing, Little’s shaky accuracy and his team’s unpredictability make him a high-risk play. There are much steadier options available on the waiver wire.
Jason Sanders (MIA) at Buffalo Bills
Despite a strong 11-point performance in Week 8, Jason Sanders has historically struggled against the Buffalo Bills. In 12 career meetings, he’s averaged a paltry 4.6 fantasy points and has only scored 11 combined points in their last four matchups. This week, he’s facing a Bills defense that consistently limits kicker scoring, making him a risky proposition even if his recent form looks promising. History suggests a low-scoring outing for Sanders.
Fantasy Football Week 9 Kicker Tiers
For a quick glance, here’s how the Week 9 kickers fall into tiers, helping you prioritize your waiver wire claims and lineup decisions:
- Tier 1: Elite & Reliable
- Brandon Aubrey (ARI)
- Evan McPherson (CIN)
- Ka’imi Fairbairn (HOU)
- Tier 2: Strong Starts with High Upside
- Chad Ryland (ARI)
- Harrison Butker (KC)
- Eddy Pineiro (NYG)
- Tier 3: Solid Options with Good Matchups
- Chris Boswell (IND)
- Cameron Dicker (LAC)
- Tyler Loop (MIA)
- Tier 4: Streamable with Potential
- Andy Borregales (ATL)
- Matt Prater (KC)
- Jake Bates (MIN)
- Tier 5 & Below: Risky Plays / Last Resort
- Riley Patterson (BAL)
- Wil Lutz (HOU)
- Jason Myers (WAS)
- Will Reichard (DET)
- Parker Romo (NE)
- Joey Slye (LAC)
- Michael Badgley (PIT)
- Joshua Karty (NO)
This tier breakdown helps illustrate the depth of talent available, even during challenging bye weeks. Remember to always cross-reference with implied team totals and injury reports before finalizing your decision.
Final Thoughts: Your Week 9 Kicking Edge
The mid-season grind is tough, but managing your kicker spot doesn’t have to be a source of frustration. By focusing on kickers with strong offenses, favorable matchups, and a history of consistency, you can easily find a top-tier option on the waiver wire. Don’t let bye weeks or injuries derail your fantasy season; use this guide to confidently select your Week 9 kicker and secure those crucial points. Always remember to check the latest injury updates and team news before your league’s waiver wire deadlines!
