The Broncos rolled with Jarrett Stidham in the exhibition win over Arizona, cruising to a 27-7 victory. Stidham finished 16 of 23 for 240 yards and two touchdowns, directing Denver through a sharp opening drive that featured Evan Engram and rookie Pat Bryant on the highlights. RJ Harvey punched in Denver’s first TD, while Troy Franklin added a late score to seal the margin. Will Lutz provided three field goals, with the defense bending but mostly bending-less in the second half. Broncos injuries to Nick Gargiulo and Garrett Wilson were noted as they head toward the finale against New Orleans.

Arizona answered early but stagnated after the opening sequence, with Jacoby Brissett tossing a 16-yard TD to Simi Fehoko before Tune took over and Denver extended the lead behind continued big plays from Franklin and Fehoko. The night showcased Denver’s depth at skill positions and a QB competition under Payton’s watch, while the Cardinals evaluated Tune and the young pass catchers. A strong preseason push leaves fantasy managers eyeing expanding roles for the Broncos’ playmakers as the regular season approaches.

Top-10 upside fantasy kickers for 2025 are laid out with clear paths to weekly points and fantasy-season impact. Brandon Aubrey anchors the list after a 192-point 2024; Cameron Dicker provides high-volume, reliable scoring from 42 field goal attempts; Jake Bates and Chase McLaughlin offer steady floor with multiple double-digit weeks. Daniel Carlson and Wil Lutz bring proven accuracy and indoor-friendly environments, while Ka'imi Fairbairn pairs range with Houston’s indoor-friendly schedule. Matt Gay stabilizes Washington’s kicking game after a carousel of 2024, and Chris Boswell remains a veteran anchor in Pittsburgh. Cameron Little adds late-round upside in Jacksonville, with Cam Little’s long range showing a ceiling that could tilt some weeks. The piece emphasizes venue, scoring opportunities, and offense quality as the core driver of fantasy kicker value in 2025.

Indoors, chassis-friendly offenses, and field-position advantages drive the upside, but volume and the ability to convert from 50-plus yards separate the top tier from the rest. Expect some volatility—kickers are game-script dependent—but the leaders provide a blend of high range, reliability, and week-to-week upside that fantasy managers crave in kicking-heavy leagues. This guide helps you target early, but also identifies sleepers who could explode in favorable home environments or shootout weeks.

The New Orleans Saints have seen a rotating door of kickers in recent seasons, with names like Blake Grupe, Wil Lutz, and Brett Maher taking center stage. Despite these changes, Grupe has managed to secure the position for two consecutive years, showcasing a solid field goal success rate of 83.8% and an impressive extra point success rate of 97.3%. The Saints are now introducing Charlie Smyth, who has made headlines by outkicking several professionals at the Kohl's Kicking Camp, adding to the competition in the kicking game.

Smyth’s performance at the camp has generated excitement among Saints fans, as he aims to challenge Grupe's position. The team's emphasis on consistent special teams play could hinge on how well Smyth adapts to the NFL's intensity. With a recent history of injuries and inconsistent performances from previous kickers, the outcome of this competition could significantly impact the Saints' scoring capabilities in upcoming games.

Wil Lutz, the Denver Broncos' kicker, has emerged as a reliable asset in his two seasons with the team. After being acquired from the New Orleans Saints, Lutz started strong, converting 30 of 34 field goals in his first season and tying the franchise record for most field goals in a season with 31 last fall. His accuracy rate stands impressively at 89.7% over 34 games, highlighting his capability as a top-tier kicker in the NFL.

With no competition for the kicking position on the Broncos' roster, Lutz is poised to solidify his role as the team's kicker for the upcoming season, making him a valuable player in both fantasy leagues and sports betting scenarios.

Under Sean Payton's leadership, the Denver Broncos have revamped their special teams from 25th in 2022 to 7th in his inaugural season. The appointment of Darren Rizzi as special teams coordinator signals a serious commitment to this unit. The Broncos have released punter Matt Haack and long snapper Zach Triner, while rookie Jeremy Crawshaw is favored to take the punter role after being drafted. Meanwhile, Wil Lutz is set to continue as kicker with Marvin Mims handling kick returns. The depth chart remains a projection as official announcements will come closer to the preseason.