Dave Rayner

While the AFC North-champion Bengals showed great improvement as a team in 2009, the offense still struggled, resulting in just 97 kicker points. Long time Bengals kicker Shayne Graham is a free agent at press time, so Cincinnati likely will have a new kicker for the first time since 2003. Nugent kicked for both the Bucs and Cardinals in 2009 and made just 4-of-8 field goals, while Rayner was released by Washington early in the season and did not have any attempts.

Nugent should have the edge as he’s the more accurate kicker and has the stronger leg — he made nine field goals from beyond 50 yards in three years as the full-time Jets kicker. For either kicker to make a fantasy impact, though, the team will need to increase both its touchdowns and field-goal attempts. With nine games this season against teams that were in the top-11 in scoring defense, that appears unlikely.

Rayner is competing with three-year incumbent Shaun Suisham for the kicker job in Washington. Suisham struggled last year, but still posted an average better than that of Rayner's career. Look for Rayner to be gone sometime in the preseason.

Rayner will have major competition from Mason Crosby for the job as Rayner missed nine kicks last season, including four from inside 40 yards. With Brett Favre a year older and questions about the running game, plus three potential bad-weather December games, better options are on the board.

Challenging for the kicker spot.

Rayner will compete with Mike Vanderjagt to kick off.