The New Orleans Saints signed Irish kicker Charlie Smyth to an undisclosed deal on Friday through the league's International Player Pathway, adding him to a group that also includes second-year kicker Blake Grupe. Smyth was formerly a goal keeper for the County Down Gaelic football team in the Gaelic Athletic Association. The NFL UK social media account recently shared a video of Smith making a 63-yard field goal, and he also made 12 of his 16 field-goal tries during the NFL combine in February. The 22-year-old is the first Irish player to sign an NFL contract through the IPP. The Saints would be allowed to carry an extra spot on their practice squad for Smyth if he doesn't make the active roster out of training camp. It's a cool story, but he's unlikely to overtake Grupe as the primary field-goal kicker in 2024.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints rookie kicker Blake Grupe put together a strong fantasy output in the Week 17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, converting 2-of-2 extra points and 3-of-3 field goals. Prior to the win, Grupe had only attempted two field goals in four weeks. In a game that is projected to be a lower-scoring game, Grupe should be passed on for other kickers in Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons. While the rookie has been perfect on extra points, he has only converted 80% of his field goal attempts this season.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints rookie kicker Blake Grupe has continued to have limited field goal opportunities in recent weeks. In Week 16 against the Rams, Grupe did not attempt a field goal but went 2-for-2 on extra point attempts. The rookie has only attempted two field goals over the last four weeks. While the matchup against Tampa Bay is not a detrimental one (8.1 fantasy points per game allowed to kickers), Grupe's recent field goal volume suggests that fantasy managers should look elsewhere on championship weekend.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe rebounded in Week 15 against the New York Giants. Grupe was a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points and drilled his lone field goal attempt from 50 yards out. Grupe and the Saints are set to take on the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. While Grupe has not been awful, he has not been great for fantasy purposes and has only attempted two field goals over the past three weeks. The lack of opportunity should prompt fantasy managers to look elsewhere in the playoff semifinals despite the fact that the Rams have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe has now posted back-to-back disappointing weeks. While he was a perfect 4-for-4 on extra points against Carolina in Week 14, he missed his lone field goal attempt from 29 yards out. The New York Giants have been a tough matchup for kickers this season, allowing an average of 6.9 fantasy points per game. With Grupe's recent struggles teamed with a bad matchup, fantasy managers should look elsewhere for their kicker during the fantasy playoffs.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe (right groin) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. He had been listed as questionable. While there was some concern about the rookie's status given that the injury was to his kicking leg, he'll ultimately suit up against one of the NFL's worst teams. As long as he's near 100 percent, he's worth deploying as a top-12 kicking option in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Despite practicing in full all week, New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe (groin) is listed as questionable to play in Week 14 on Sunday against the visiting Carolina Panthers. Grupe was also questionable going into last week's loss to the Detroit Lions, but he suited up and made all four of his extra-point tries while not attempting a single field goal. The 25-year-old is a pretty safe bet to play again this weekend, especially after the Saints waived Austin Seibert from their practice squad this week. Against the Panthers, Grupe will serve as a decent low-end streamer for fantasy managers in Week 14, although most of New Orleans' starting offensive skill players are listed as questionable on the injury report, including quarterback Derek Carr (concussion, ribs, shoulder).

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe drilled all four extra-point attempts in Week 13's 33-28 loss to Detroit but did not attempt a field goal, which limited his fantasy production. Grupe will look to bounce back against a Carolina Panthers team that allows the second-most points per game in the NFL. He should have a safe floor this week, given that Carolina surrenders 26.1 points per game to opponents. Start Grupe as a low-end kicker in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe (groin) was listed as questionable to play in Week 13 against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, but he's officially active and will kick against the Lions. The 25-year-old apparently was injured in last week's loss to the Atlanta Falcons and was limited in practice all week. Grupe has been a top-10 fantasy kicker in his first year in the NFL in 2023, making 24 of his 30 field-goal attempts, including five of eight from 50-plus yards, and all 19 of his extra-point tries in 11 games for the Saints. Against a Lions defense that has looked worn down the last few weeks, Grupe should be a solid fantasy option while also kicking indoors.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe (groin) is listed as questionable heading into the Week 13 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Grupe has been limited in practice all week, so his status for Sunday appears legitimately up in the air. As a result, the Saints worked out Mason Crosby and James McCourt this week. The Saints will likely wait until closer to Sunday before signing another kicker. Given the current state of the Saints offense, no kicker is going to have much value this weekend for the Saints. It's hard to imagine the Saints having a ton of success moving the ball given with the amount of injuries they have on offense right now.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe had a career fantasy day in Week 12 against Atlanta as he knocked down five field goals on a day when New Orleans struggled to find the end zone. Grupe did miss a 54-yard field goal near the end of the game, but was perfect on his five other attempts. With Chris Olave (concussion protocol), Rashid Shaheed (thigh), and Michael Thomas (knee) banged up, New Orleans may struggle again to find the end zone against the Detroit Lions in Week 13. Grupe should again have opportunities to convert field goals, making him a streamable kicker option coming off of his best fantasy output of the season.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe (groin) stayed limited in practice for the second straight day on Thursday with a right-groin injury. The Saints signed a kicker to their practice squad earlier this week with Grupe injured, so there's no guarantee yet that he'll be cleared to kick for the Saints in Week 13 against the Detroit Lions. Right now, the 25-year-old is expected to be available, though, and he's been a top-10 fantasy kicker so far in his first NFL season. Grupe comes into Week 13 action as the overall No. 6 kicker in total fantasy points through 12 weeks of play. If he's active on Sunday, he'll be a strong kicking option against a Lions defense that has been pretty generous in recent weeks.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe (groin) was listed as limited in Wednesday's practice as the team prepares for Week 13 against the Detroit Lions. Grupe was apparently injured in the Week 12 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, as the Saints signed Austin Seibert to their practice squad on Monday just in case Grupe is unable to play this upcoming weekend against Detroit. The Saints are calling the 25-year-old day-to-day for now. It means that if you have Grupe as your starting kicker in fantasy lineups this week, you'll want to prepare for the possibility that you'll have to make a late-week adjustment if he's questionable or out. Grupe has been a top-10 fantasy kicker in 2023 by going 24-for-30 on field goals.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe injured his groin during practice on Tuesday and is now listed as questionable for a Week 13 matchup against the Detroit Lions. The injury is being called minor and Grupe still has a chance to play Sunday according to reports, but the Saints still worked out several kickers on Tuesday. That list includes Mason Crosby and James McCourt. New Orleans also signed veteran kicker Austin Seibert to their practice squad. Grupe's ability to get back on the practice field by Friday will be a good indication of his status heading into Week 13. Fantasy gamers rostering Grupe will want to begin thinking about having a backup plan in place in case he doesn't kick on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe did not attempt an extra point and kicked only one field goal in Week 10 against Minnesota, good for his weakest fantasy output of the season. With New Orleans on bye in Week 11, Grupe was likely dropped in many leagues. Atlanta quietly allows the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers, offering Grupe a prime position to bounce back. If in need of a kicker, Grupe is a more than viable option in a pivotal Week 12 matchup.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints rookie kicker Blake Grupe had a solid performance in Week 9, nailing 3-of-3 extra points but missing one of two field goal attempts. Grupe missed a 47-yard attempt, marking his fifth missed field goal of the season. The rookie has been a safe kicker option in fantasy, ranked ninth on the season, and should continue to be a safe play in Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings. Fire Grupe up into lineups this week.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints rookie kicker Blake Grupe has been a consistently solid kicker option this season, currently ranked eighth in fantasy points. Grupe will have another opportunity to produce a viable scoring week against the Chicago Bears in Week 9, who have allowed the ninth-most points per game to opposing kickers. Grupe was perfect on kicks in Week 8, going 5-for-5 on extra points and converting his only field goal attempt for 27 yards. Fire up Grupe in Week 9.

From RotoBaller