Nick Novak

The Texans got only 101 points from their kickers last season, a total that beat just five teams in the league. Novak only played 13 games after taking over for Reggie Bullock, but he was hardly prolific after becoming the starter, finishing 28th in field goal attempts and 21st in PATs. On the plus side, he's a fairly accurate kicker, connecting on at least 85 percent of his attempts in three of the last four seasons, with his three unsuccessful field goals coming from beyond 50 yards. The Texans added a number of offensive weapons during the offseason, which could help Novak's PATs increase, so it's certainly possible he could crack the top 12 in points in 2016.

Novak saw a major decline in points last season, dropping from 144 in 2013 to 106. It was partly his fault - after consecutive seasons of hitting at least 90 percent of his field-goal attempts, he made only 84.6 percent last season (17th). But the Chargers also limited his scoring opportunities, as he attempted 11 fewer field goals than the previous year, thanks in part to 11 fewer red-zone drives. (His PATs dropped by only two.) Novak doesn't have a big leg, making just 11 from 50-plus yards the last four years (16th).

An unexpected bounce-back showing from the previously interception-happy Philip Rivers elevated Novak from the waiver wire to a weekly must-start before season’s end, with the kicker accumulating 37 field goal attempts and 42 extra points en route to a 144-point season. After posting a career accuracy rate below 80 percent prior to 2012, Novak has shown surprising reliability each of the last two seasons, finishing above 90 percent on both occasions. Somewhat perplexingly, all three of his misses last season came from between 30 and 39 yards, as Novak hit all 11 of his attempts beyond 40 yards. Novak doesn’t feature notable leg strength with a career long of 53 yards, but a resurgent Chargers offense and an idyllic home kicking environment outweigh that weakness.

Called upon for 13 games to replace the perennially injured Nate Kaeding, Novak did everything the Chargers could have hoped for, connecting on 90 percent of his kicks (18-for-20). That strong showing was enough for the Chargers to sign the 31-year old to a four-year deal, giving him a clear grasp on a job heading into training camp for the first time in his career. Novak will benefit from playing half his games in sunny Southern California, but that advantage is largely offset by a probable regression in accuracy given his career rate (76.2 percent) and a Chargers offense that has declined in recent seasons.

Novak had a very good season filling in for the injured Nate Kaeding in 2011, hitting on 79% of his kicks and scoring a total of 122 points. However, if Kaeding appears to be back and healthy in 2012, so Novak is not likely to win a starting job.

Novak enters training camp to compete with Nick Folk for the PK position

Novak is the backup kicker in case Nate Kaeding suffers an injury.

Novak will compete with undrafted rookie Connor Barth to be the Chiefs’ kicker. The Chiefs may be leery to roll the dice with a rookie after last year’s Justin Medlock debacle, which could give Novak an edge. Even if he does win the job, however, he’s unlikely to be a reliable fantasy option given the Chiefs expected offensive struggles.

Novak is the backup to starting kicker Robbie Gould and is likely to wind up on the Bears' practice squad this year.

Novak isn't likely to make the Cardinals' team unless Neil Rackers is injured.