NFL Player News
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Matt Bryant K | ATL
Falcons' Matt Bryant: Intends to return for 17th season
Bryant clarified Friday that he has no intentions of retiring just yet, saying "I'll play two-three more years in this league," Kelsey Conway of the Falcons' official site reports.
Bryant has now finished as a top-5 fantasy kicker in standard leagues for the second consecutive season after converting on 34 of his 39 field-goal attempts in 2017. With his contract expiring over the offseason, the Falcons have a decision to make as to whether or not they want to bring back the reliable veteran, who will turn 43 in May.
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Wil Lutz K | DEN
Saints' Wil Lutz: Potential game-winner erased by miracle catch
Lutz made three extra-point tries and a 43-yard field goal in Sunday's 29-24 NFC divisional-round loss to the Vikings. He also missed a 58-yard field goal.
Lutz appeared to have sent the Saints to the NFC title game when he booted a clutch field goal to give New Orleans the lead with only 25 seconds remaining in the contest, only to have Stefon Diggs' miracle catch-and-run abruptly eject New Orleans from the playoff field. Still, Lutz had a terrific sophomore season, converting 31 of 36 field-goal attempts and 47 of 50 extra-point kicks. So long as Drew Brees -- who is an unrestricted free agent this offseason -- returns to New Orleans in 2018, Lutz should enter the year as one of the better kicking options in fantasy leagues, as the Saints' high-powered offense should provide him with plenty of scoring opportunities.
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Justin Tucker K | BAL
Ravens' Justin Tucker: Turns in another strong season
Tucker finished the season converting 34 of 37 field goals and going 39-for-39 on extra point attempts.
It was another stellar season from Tucker, who converted over 90 percent of his field goal attempts for the second year in a row and fourth time in his career. Tucker was also among the league's elite from distance, checking in with five field goals of 50-or-more yards, but that was a dropoff after going 10-for-10 from that distance in 2016. Still, Tucker is clearly one of the most bankable options at kicker regardless of format thanks to his high volume of attempts coupled with a unique ability to convert from almost any distance. Tucker, 28, is under contract for two more years.
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Blair Walsh K | ATL
Seahawks' Blair Walsh: Likely done in Seattle
Walsh was 21 of 29 on field-goal attempts and 37 for 38 on extra-points attempts for the Seahawks in 2017.
Walsh's longest field goal of the season was 49 yards, and he finished the season on a sour note with a missed 48-yard field goal in the final minute of the Week 17 loss to the Cardinals. The Seahawks have already signed former-Jaguar Jason Myers to a reserve\future contract as Walsh is set to hit free agency, with his tenure in Seattle likely over.
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Matt Bryant K | ATL
Falcons' Matt Bryant: Perfect in what might be his final game
Bryant connected on a 33-yard field goal and an extra point in a 15-10 divisional round loss to the Eagles.
Bryant was superb again this year, as the 41-year-old connected on 34-of-39 kicks, including a mesmerizing 17-of-19 from over 40 yards. He'll be 42 this offseason, and he's no longer under contract, so it's certainly possible that we've seen him kick in his final professional game. That being said, if he wants to come back, the Falcons would certainly give him a chance to earn the job and kick in what would be his 17th professional season.
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Brandon McManus K | GB
Broncos' Brandon McManus: Finishes 2017 with 99 points
McManus was 24 for 32 on field-goal attempts and 27 for 27 on extra-point attempts in 2017. His season long was from 57 yards.
McManus was like one of people whose luck turns bad after winning the lottery. He signed a big contract extension opening day and promptly shanked five of his first 13 field-goal attempts. He settled down a bit down the stretch, but he was notably less reliable from short range, missing on three of 20 attempts from 39 yards and in in 2017 after hitting all 39 such attempts in 2015 and 2016. Denver fired special teams coordinator Brock Olivo at season's end and brought in veteran Tom McMahon. It'll be interesting to see if the switch gets McManus back to being the kicker Denver thought it was paying top-dollar for at the beginning of the year.
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Chris Boswell K | PIT
Steelers' Chris Boswell: Scores six points in playoff loss
Boswell converted six of six PATs in Sunday's 45-42 AFC divisional round loss to Jacksonville.
This was a high-scoring affair, with both teams combing for 12 touchdowns. The difference in the game came on a 45-yard field goal by Josh Lambo with just under two minutes remaining. Boswell finished the season tied for fourth in scoring, and should be among the league leaders again next season.
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Graham Gano K | NYG
Panthers' Graham Gano: Enjoys excellent rebound season
Gano converted 29 of 30 field-goal attempts and 34 of 37 extra-point tries en route to 121 points this season.
Gano, the Panthers kicker since 2012, had to earn his roster spot this season, as the team used a seventh-round pick on Harrison Butker following a 2016 campaign that saw Gano miss 11 times in total. While Butker enjoyed an outstanding rookie year with the Chiefs after Gano beat him out early in the season, the 30-year-old proved just why Carolina stuck with him. Although Gano's 121 points matched his 2016 mark, he was nearly flawless on his kicking opportunities, with his only missed field goal coming from 50-plus yards. Such improved accuracy resulted in Gano finishing 12th in points league-wide, and would figure to give the Panthers plenty reason to re-sign him as an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
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Wil Lutz K | DEN
Saints' Wil Lutz: Boots 57-yard field goal in victory
Lutz made one field goal -- a 57-yard kick -- and four extra-point tries in Sunday's 31-26 playoff win against the Panthers.
Lutz's long kick came midway through the third quarter and reinstated the Saints' double-digit lead. Lutz had some struggles in the middle of the year but the big-legged kicker has made seven straight field-goal attempts. Backed by the Saints offense, Lutz should continue to be one of the better fantasy kicking options as long as New Orleans remains in the playoff hunt. While many kickers will be forced to face the winter elements next week, Lutz will have the luxury of kicking indoors when the Saints travel to Minnesota to face the Vikings in the Divisional Round.
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Matt Bryant K | ATL
Falcons' Matt Bryant: Shines in playoff victory
Bryant connected on all four field-goal attempts and both extra points in Saturday's 26-13 NFC wild-card win over the Rams.
The kicks weren't chip shots either, as two of his field-goal attempts were longer than 50 yards. The veteran kicker may be operating in worse weather conditions in the divisional round in Philadelphia, but he has to be considered one of the most reliable kicking options left in the playoffs.