Riley Patterson DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Atlanta Falcons kicker Riley Patterson is a solid fantasy option this weekend in his team's divisional clash with the visiting Carolina Panthers. The 25-year-old has been fine since taking over the Falcons kicking job for an injured Younghoe Koo (hip). In four appearances this season, Patterson has been automatic on his 11 XP attempts but has missed a field goal try in each of his last two games. He'll get a dream outing in Week 18 against a Panthers defense that's allowed the most points per game in the league (31) and the most fantasy points per game to the kicking position (10.5). The Falcons bolster a 28-point implied point total for the contest, so the Memphis product projects to be afforded a few chances to get on the board against one of the league's worst defenses. Patterson ranks as RotoBaller's K10 ahead of this weekend's slate of action.

Atlanta Falcons kicker Riley Patterson was busy during last week's win over the New York Giants. Patterson recently took over as the kicker after Younghoe Koo (hip) went on the injured reserve. Patterson came ready to kick as he knocked down all four extra point attempts and converted 2-of-3 field goal attempts in the win. The 25-year-old hasn't kicked much this season, but looked solid outside of his 43-yard miss last week. He should continue to get chances to kick in what could be a high-scoring matchup against the Washington Commanders in Week 17. Patterson isn't a must-start option, but is certainly worth a look for fantasy managers seeking a kicker for this weekend.

Cleveland Browns kicker Riley Patterson made his lone extra-point attempt in a 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. Patterson was elevated from the team's practice squad on Saturday and replaced Dustin Hopkins as the team's kicker for the game as the latter has made just 16 of his 25 field goals in 2024. Patterson didn't get a chance to do much in the loss and will likely revert back to the team's practice squad as head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters after the loss that Hopkins will be his kicker in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals as he just wanted to give the veteran the week off after his struggles this season.

According to Chris Easterling of Akron Beacon Journal, the Browns have elevated kicker Riley Patterson to the active roster. This could suggest that the Browns are opting to do a kicking change and moving away from Dustin Hopkins. Over his past five games, Hopkins has struggled as he has gone just 3-for-9 on attempts and 1-for-5 on attempts from 40 yards and over. This was a stark drop compared to the 91.7% FG rate he held last season. Patterson made just one start this season playing with the New York Jets during Week 9. Fantasy managers should monitor this situation leading up to kickoff in case the Browns choose to give Patterson the starting nod. This kicking situation should be avoided in all formats, given Hopkins' struggles and Patterson's lack of proven production.

The Cleveland Browns have signed kicker Riley Patterson to their practice squad on Tuesday. This comes a day after current kicker Dustin Hopkins missed two field goals during Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. After that, Hopkins is a rough 16-for-25 on field goal attempts this season. That being said, Patterson has been brought in as insurance at the kicker spot. Patterson has kicked in one game this season as he made three extra point attempts in Week 9 as a member of the New York Jets. Since then, Patterson landed with the Atlanta Falcons, but he didn't appear in any games before now joining the Browns. This news won't mean much to fantasy managers unless Hopkins does end up losing the kicking gig to Patterson at some point.