Fantasy football managers are advised to consider drafting kickers last in their drafts, a strategy rooted in the concept of replacement value. This principle suggests evaluating players and positions based on how easily their production can be replicated by other available options.
In a typical 12-team fantasy league with standard starting lineups, approximately 30 running backs are expected to be fantasy starters. This includes two running backs per team and half of the available Flex positions. For context, the top-performing running back last season, Christian McCaffrey, accumulated 416.6 fantasy points in PPR (points per reception) formats. The 31st-ranked running back, who could be considered a first replacement-level option on the bench or waiver wire, was Kareem Hunt, who scored 145.4 fantasy points. This significant difference in scoring highlights the variability at the running back position.
When evaluating a position like kicker, the disparity in potential output between top players and their immediate replacements is often considerably smaller. This means that while drafting a top kicker might offer a slight advantage, the points gained may not be as substantial as the difference achieved by drafting a strong player at a more critical position like running back or wide receiver. Therefore, securing high-value players at other positions first and then selecting a kicker is presented as a more effective draft strategy.