Fantasy Upside
The Texans agreed to a new contract with Nick Novak over the offseason and it's not hard to figure out why. As the Houston Chronicle suggested, he was arguably the Texans' most valuable player on offense in 2016, bolstering a struggling unit with a franchise-record 35 field goals. He ended the season tied for second in the NFL for the most field goals made with Eagles kicker Caleb Sturgis. Novak made 16 consecutive field goals late in the season, including all five kicks, as well as five touchbacks, during a pivotal December win over the Colts that helped the team win the division. Novak has made 93 percent of his field goals inside 50 yards over the past five seasons and connected on 57 percent of his kicks from 50 yards or longer (including four-of-seven last season). Over the past two seasons, Novak has made 48-of-51 kicks inside 50 yards for a 94-percent clip.
Fantasy Downside
Could the addition of power back D'Onta Foreman become an issue for Novak if the rookie becomes an effective weapon near the goal line? Could DeAndre Hopkins regain past form with Tom Savage and/or DeShaun Watson as his triggerman? Yes, you have to reach a bit to come up with the downside here.
2017 Bottom Line
Few owners will include Novak on their kicker wish list this summer. There are bigger names in sexier offenses that will draw more interest. But the chances Houston's offense will sputter at times again this season are good, so expect Novak to be relied upon heavily once again.
