Kickers are like jobs…we hate them, but at the end of the day, we still need one.  Fantasy football buys into this theory as you need that kicker on your roster.  The last 2 years, the number 1 kicker wasn’t even drafted, so I hope you remember this when you go to draft Adam Vinatieri in the 5th round and think you’re the smart one in the draft.  Wait ‘til the end, and know that if you have a mediocre kicker in the draft, odds are you can pick someone up off waivers early in the season to pick up the slack.  Here are the top 10 kickers (has anyone seen Mike Vanderjagt??):

1.    Jeff Wilkins – K St. Louis Rams
Jeff Wilkins put up a solid 131 points in 2006 which was good enough for 3rd amongst kickers in the NFL.  A huge benefit to Wilkins, is that he kicks indoors, has an explosive offense, and was 3 for 3 from 50+ yards, so he is a very solid option.  Look for him to shine even more in 2007, especially with the new offensive additions the Rams made in the off season.

2.    Nate Kaeding – K San Diego Chargers
Nate Kaeding had the 2nd most points in 2006, putting up 136.  His team is young, talented, and playing in the warm San Diego sun, which is a kickers dream.  Kaeding was 26 for 29 kicking last year, and I would look for that trend to continue in 2007.

3.    Adam Vinatieri – K Indianapolis Colts
Adam Vinatieri won yet another ring during his first year in Indy.  He was 25 for 28 kicking last year while accumulating 113 points.  Kicking for a very high powered offense will give him several opportunities for points in 2007.  I would look for Adam to be around 125 points this year, and maybe another ring??

4.    Neil Rackers – K Arizona Cardinals
Sure, crack your jokes that Neil Rackers was a huge bust in 2006, but with a young, yet potent offense, look for Rackers to rack up the points in 2007.  Sure he was 28 for 37 kicking last year, but look for the confidence to be high in the desert this year with a more mature offense, and an even better Rackers.

5.    Shayne Graham – K Cincinnati Bengals
Shayne Graham is the best kicker you never heard of.  He put up 115 points in 2006, and made 25 of 30 field goals last year.  Playing on a team like the Bengals will produce a lot of scoring opportunities.  If only he could help his other teammates ‘kick’ their habits….

6.    Robbie Gould – K Chicago Bears
Robbie Gould came out of nowhere in 2006 to lead all kickers in scoring with 143 points, while making 32 of 36 field goals.  With an offense like the Bears, I would expect more field goal opportunities, rather than extra points after scoring TD’s.  He should have a solid year, just don’t look for the same production as ’06 saw.

7.    Matt Stover – K Baltimore Ravens
Matt Stover is still kicking around (yes, the pun was intended) and put up 121 points in 2006.  He made 28 of 30 field goals last year, and is still a very solid option in the fantasy world.  With a few new faces in the Ravens offense this year, look for Stover to stay around 120 points in 2007.

8.    Josh Brown – K Seattle Seahawks
Josh Brown put up 111 points in 2006 while making 25 of 31 kicks.  Brown has a huge leg, making 3 of 5 FG’s from 50+ yards.  The decline in his points could be directly attributed to the injuries sustained by Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander, cutting back on their offensive output as a team.  I would look for a nice rebound season from Brown in 2007.