2013 fantasy football profiles and projections (Ks 13-24)

DEF RANKINGS 1-15

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Kickers
• Defenses
• Linebackers
• Defensive Backs
• Defensive Line

Statistical projections are provided by EA Sports/NFL.com

• Player
• Analysis

For years, SeaBass has been a fantasy staple and although he rebounded in 2012, the inconsistency of the Raiders offense has made him less of a sure thing. Don't look for any major improvement from the Raiders this season, which makes Janikowski a risk-reward option in 2013.

After missing all of 2011 with an injury, Hartley returned to his previous form in 2012. Keep in mind that his previous form was that of a kicker who battled occasional accuracy issues. While that has been a constant throughout his career, the Saints' prolific offense should again give Hartley plenty of opportunity to produce. But it shouldn't fool fantasy owners into believing he's better than he really is.

"Legatron" turned heads at the start of the season with a penchant for booting long kicks. Midway through the campaign, however, he struggled with accuracy. Which Zuerlein is the real one? We'll learn more this season. But it might be best to learn from a distance. His inconsistency combined with a Rams offense that's still finding its way makes him better suited for a role as a waiver wire pickup.

The longtime veteran isn't the fanatasy favorite he once was, but Vinatieri was finished 2012 in the top 15 at his position. After making nearly 93 percent of his FGs in 2010, his accuracy has declined (he was good just 78.8 percent of the time in 2012). Yet kicking in a dome has helped preserve his length -- he booted four field goals of 50-plus yards last season. Don't be fooled by the name, he shouldn't be drafted, but he can be a quality waiver wire option.

Forbath was just what the doctor ordered for the Redskins after Billy Cundiff's poor start to the 2012 season. The former UCLA kicker stepped in to convert 17 of his 18 chances. This season, the job belongs to Forbath and he should be on a few more fantasy radars than he was in 2013. That doesn't mean he should be on a ton of rosters. With RG3's status still uncertain, the Redskins offense might not be as prolific as many hoped. That will undoubtedly impact Forbath's fantasy value.

2012 was one of the better seasons in recent memory for Nugent. The veteran kicker was as accurate as he's ever been, but he continued to struggle with distance. His schedule this season won't do him any favors, even if the Bengals offense is becoming more prolific. For owners seeking help at kicker, there are plenty of names to consider before looking in Nugent's direction.

Gould's season mirrored that of the rest of his team -- he started on fire, averaging 9.5 fantasy points over the first eight games of the season. But things went downhill as he averaged just 4.8 points in the next five games before a calf injury prematurely ended his season. Before his lackluster 2012, Gould had consistently been a top 15 fantasy kicker. As long as he's healthy in 2013, it's likely that he'll be there once again.

Novak showed strong consistency in 2012, going 18-for-20 overall. The primary question is whether he'll get the opportunity to kick frequently, or will this San Diego offense struggle to give him chances?

It was a banner year for Tynes, who ranked an impressive fourth in fantasy points among kickers in 2012 - trailing only Blair Walsh, Stephen Gostkowski and Matt Bryant. The New York Giants didn't retain him, though, and Tynes was only signed by the Buccaneers after the team lost Connor Barth to an Achilles' ailment. He should see more than his share of opportunities with his new team, but Tynes shouldn't be drafted as more than a No. 2 fantasy kicker in 2013.

2012 was a career year for Shaun Suisham. Still it wasn't enough to land him in the top 15 among fantasy kickers. For just the second time in his eight NFL seasons, he made more than 90 percent of his field goals -- it will be hard to count on that sort of production again.

Gano was resurrected from the ranks of the unemployed to take over after Justin Medlock's 2012 struggles led to his release. The Scottish booter acquitted himself well, going 9-for-11 during the season and seemingly having shaken his previous bouts of inconsistency. He'll start training camp as the man in Carolina, but his past history makes him a riskier option for fantasy owners.

The bad news for Bironas in 2012 is that he was just the 19th best player at his position -- not likely to get you drafted too often in the future. The good news is that it's 2013. Dating back to 2009, Bironas has been a top-10 kicker in odd-numbered years -- though that's hard to build your draft strategy around. Perhaps more important will be the quality of Tennessee's offensive attack, which right now looks pretty unremarkable.

DEF RANKINGS 1-15