Connor Barth

The Saints signed Barth this offseason after he converted 23-of-28 field goal attempts for the Buccaneers last season. He will duel incumbent Kai Fortbath for the kicking duties in New Orleans, and the winner of the battle will likely have some fantasy appeal, backed by the Saints' potent offense.

Despite the team scoring the second-most points in the league last year, Broncos kickers failed to make significant fantasy contributions until late in the season. Rookie Brandon McManus struggled, both in opportunities and accuracy, before the team brought in Barth for the final five games. He went 5-for-5 in his debut, and finished 15-of-16, though only one attempt (which he made) came from beyond 50 yards.

A torn Achilles' tendon cost Barth the entire 2013 campaign and he ended up up losing his job to Patrick Murray this summer. A healthy Barth proved useful in his last full season, logging 123 points while knocking home six 50-plus yarders, but he also had the good fortune of being flanked by a productive offense at that time.

Behind the performance of a quietly effective offense, Barth finished 11th among kickers in scoring last season with a career-high 123 points. While Barth experienced an expected decline in accuracy from 2011’s 92.9 percent, he still converted a healthy 84.8 percent, the second-highest rate of his career, and cemented himself as a viable long-range threat, knocking down 6-of-9 attempts from 50-plus. Despite his success last season, the Buccaneers signed Nate Kaeding this offseason to compete in training camp, but Kaeding suffered a groin injury and subsequently retired in May. While Barth has the job for now, that the team signed Kaeding at all means Barth could be on a short leash should he struggle early on.

The Buccaneers struggled in many areas in 2011, but not in the kicking game. Barth showcased a solid all-around game, kicking for both accuracy (second in the league at 92.9 percent) and distance (55-yard field goal in Week 10). But Barth’s fantasy value is dragged down by the performance of his offense. The Bucs provided just 23 PATs and 28 field-goal attempts. Even with significant additions via free agency, Tampa Bay is not expected to leap into the top-10 offensively, and likewise, Barth isn’t likely to become a top fantasy kicker.

Barth posted a career-high 105 points last year in his first full season as place kicker, taking advantage of a Buccaneers offense that was one of the most improved units in the NFL. Tampa Bay increased its scoring from 15.2 points per game in 2009 to 21.3 points per game last season. The Buccaneers found their quarterback of the future in Josh Freeman, a big-play running back in LeGarrette Blount and a legitimate No. 1 receiver in Mike Williams. The resulting offensive production provided Barth with 28 field-goal attempts, of which he made 23, and 36 PATs. Barth's five misses all came from beyond 40 yards, and he was 1-of-2 from 50-plus. All told, Tampa Bay increased its kicker scoring by 33 points over the previous year. For Barth to become a fantasy factor, though, the Buccaneers need to make similar strides this season. That's possible with the aforementioned trio leading the resurgent Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers produced just 72 kicker points last year on 24 touchdowns and 26 field goal attempts, 10 of which were missed. Barth brought some stability to the position making 14-of-19 kicks, including 3-of-4 from beyond 50 yards. The Buccaneers have a young quarterback who struggled in Year 1, lack a big-play running back and have no elite targets in the passing game other than tight end Kellen Winslow. That’s not likely to be enough for Barth.

Barth scored 54 points in 10 games, but as a team the Chiefs made just 16 field goals last season. While they gained Matt Cassell, Tony Gonzalez was sent to the Falcons, and the running game is uncertain with Larry Johnson’s possible release. Barth was accurate in his limited opportunities (10-of-12), but his chances of becoming fantasy relevant in 2009 aren’t very good.

Barth finished his collegiate career with a flourish, nailing 29 of his final 32 attempts. He’ll square off against Nick Novak in a training camp competition, although the winner doesn’t figure to be a very attractive fantasy option. Last season, scoring opportunities were few and far between in Kansas City, and points might be similarly scarce in 2008.