If you're playing in a guillotine league that requires a starting kicker and defense, you don't need to reach for Brandon Aubrey or the Texans defense in your draft. In one of my recent drafts, both were drafted before I even grabbed my starting quarterback or tight end! What are we doing, people? (It's worth noting that I've taken first place in that league two of the last three years while following my strategies.)
Both the kicker and defense positions are deep and volatile from week to week.
As great as Aubrey has been the last three seasons, he only gave you two double-digit games in the first 11 games last season. Jason Myers, who led all kickers in fantasy scoring last year, was putting up at least 11 points in eight of the first 14 games last season and is being drafted at least three rounds later in most leagues.
Some fantasy defenses might offer a higher floor than others, but the spike weeks tend to be random and based on unpredictable defensive touchdowns. I've got no problem streaming defenses based on matchups through the first half of the season.
For average draft position comparisons below, I looked at NFFC Eliminator Championship data, where high-stakes players compete. If you're new to NFFC, sign up with code "THEO" for a signup bonus.
Use code "STEVE" for 35 percent off a RotoWire subscription and dominate your draft.
Kickers To Target in Guillotine Leagues
Eddy Pineiro, 49ers
NFFC Eliminator ADP:
If you're playing in a guillotine league that requires a starting kicker and defense, you don't need to reach for Brandon Aubrey or the Texans defense in your draft. In one of my recent drafts, both were drafted before I even grabbed my starting quarterback or tight end! What are we doing, people? (It's worth noting that I've taken first place in that league two of the last three years while following my strategies.)
Both the kicker and defense positions are deep and volatile from week to week.
As great as Aubrey has been the last three seasons, he only gave you two double-digit games in the first 11 games last season. Jason Myers, who led all kickers in fantasy scoring last year, was putting up at least 11 points in eight of the first 14 games last season and is being drafted at least three rounds later in most leagues.
Some fantasy defenses might offer a higher floor than others, but the spike weeks tend to be random and based on unpredictable defensive touchdowns. I've got no problem streaming defenses based on matchups through the first half of the season.
For average draft position comparisons below, I looked at NFFC Eliminator Championship data, where high-stakes players compete. If you're new to NFFC, sign up with code "THEO" for a signup bonus.
Use code "STEVE" for 35 percent off a RotoWire subscription and dominate your draft.
Kickers To Target in Guillotine Leagues
Eddy Pineiro, 49ers
NFFC Eliminator ADP: K8 (pick 230)
We know Brandon Aubrey will be the first kicker off the board, followed by Ka'imi Fairbairn, Cameron Dicker and Jason Myers (in no particular order).
Pineiro connected on a higher percentage of his field goal attempts (96.6%) than any of them with his only miss coming from beyond 50 yards. Because he missed three games, his overall scoring totals look worse than others last season, but the accuracy is undeniable.
He was perfect this preseason, going 8-for-8 on field goals, including several from beyond 50 yards, and 5-for-5 on PATs. Enjoy the value almost 100 picks after Aubrey gets drafted.
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Will Reichard, Vikings
NFFC Eliminator ADP: K9 (pick 233)
Like Pineiro, Reichard was perfect on field goal attempts of less than 50 yards last year and was perfect this preseason. Minnesota's third-year player also matched Aubrey with a league-high 11 made kicks of 50 yards or more on four fewer attempts in 2025!
The Vikings have a solid defense that should help win the field position game, and an upgrade at quarterback should create even more scoring opportunities.
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Defenses To Target in Guillotine Leagues
Jacksonville Jaguars
NFFC Eliminator ADP: DST5 (pick 171)
What makes Jacksonville an attractive pick to start the season is obvious: an opener against Cleveland. Only the Raiders scored fewer points than the Browns last season, and only seven teams allowed fewer points than the Jaguars. Although Cleveland's weapons are upgraded with the additions of KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, the Browns still have a big question at quarterback.
Because this is a true streaming play, there's a good chance that other teams in your draft could pass on the Jaguars in favor of a more long-term solution. Take the Week 1 value.
Kansas City Chiefs
NFFC Eliminator ADP: DST18 (pick 253)
If you'd rather lock in a team that should help get you through the first month of the season at a good value, the Chiefs could be that team.
A Week 1 matchup against Denver isn't as scary as it sounds. In two matchups last season, the Broncos only scored a total of three touchdowns against the Chiefs. Then KC has one of the most favorable schedules with games against Indianapolis, Miami and Las Vegas. Then the bye week hits and you'll want to replace them anyway, as the level of difficulty on the schedule increases.
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