There are 11 teams left on our preseason team-by-team fantasy football countdown. Up next: the Kansas City Chiefs.
If the Chiefs got a QB upgrade, they’d be a Super Bowl-caliber team. Welcome your comments on this, especially K.C. fans who, in my opinion, have deserved better since Trent Green's departure nine years ago. By all accounts, Alex Smith seems like a really good guy. But I’m glad I never have to root for him to throw for 300+ yards (he’s done it only twice since October 2010).
Smith (#20 QB ADP) was last year’s 19th best fantasy QB. His current ranking makes sense. He had the dubious distinction of throwing zero TD passes to wide receivers. That should change this year, but not by a ton. Expect 3,200-3,500 yards and 20-25 TDs.
The biggest change to Kansas City’s on-field personnel is the arrival of Jeremy Maclin (#27 WR ADP), whose breakout 2014 season resulted in #9 fantasy WR production. But you can kiss those gaudy numbers goodbye. He’s moving from a team (Eagles) that ranked sixth in passing yards in 2014 to a team that ranked 29th. Some might say, “Well that’s because of Maclin; he’ll instantly improve the Chiefs’ aerial attack.”
But is he the 27th best WR? That would mean about 900 yards and seven TDs. I’m not quite seeing it. For his career, Alex Smith has averaged only 1.1 TDs per game. Who can begrudge Maclin for landing a well-deserved long-term contract? No one. Who should draft him as their first or second WR? No one. Predicting less than 900 yards and no more than six TDs, placing him outside the top 30 WRs.
Albert Wilson (consensus 107th ranked WR) has a decent shot of landing the Chiefs’ #2 wideout job. He showed flashes late last season with 209 yards in weeks 14-16. Still, he’s someone to monitor during bye weeks, when--if he does start--he could get one or two WR2/3 performances (and a whole lot of WR5-8 showings). Rookie Chris Conley (consensus #94 WR) is also competing for the #2 job. I think Kansas City will opt for Wilson in Week 1, but Conley’s certainly a guy to keep tabs on, as physically and athletically he’s too gifted to ignore all season.
Turning to tight end, last preseason most experts ranked Travis Kelce in the 20s among TEs. I ranked him 10th:
https://www.facebook.com/FantasyFootballForWinners/posts/731692750212040).
He finished eighth.
This year the experts love him. He’s consistently ranked in the top 5. His ADP sits at #4. I think it’s an overreaction to last year’s breakout. This year I’m remaining unconventional, but on the opposite side of the spectrum: Kelce is oscillating between 8th, 9th, and 10th on my TE list. Don’t overreach for a TE in a run-first offense that just paid big money for a true #1 WR. While talented, Kelce won’t produce 1,000 yards and 6-7 TDs.
K.C.’s offensive rudder, Jamaal Charles, owns the #1 RB ADP and is #2 overall. Who would dare to pass on him first overall? You’re looking at him (figuratively speaking). It’s not that I’m numb to his career 5.5 YPC or ignorant of his potential as a still-in-his-prime workhorse in the Chiefs’ RB-loving scheme.
I’m concerned about Knile Davis, whose #48 RB ADP is odd considering he’s one of the game’s best (and most NFL ready) RB handcuffs. Davis earned 150 touches last year. His back-to-back 3.5 YPC seasons are the only blemish in an otherwise impressive resume that led to seven TDs in 2014--including four poached in games Charles started. Finishing 32nd among fantasy RBs, Davis has a great shot to move into the top 25 this season.
Yes, Charles is the workhorse. But I want more touches and less competition from my #1 pick.
If the Chiefs got a QB upgrade, they’d be a Super Bowl-caliber team. Welcome your comments on this, especially K.C. fans who, in my opinion, have deserved better since Trent Green's departure nine years ago. By all accounts, Alex Smith seems like a really good guy. But I’m glad I never have to root for him to throw for 300+ yards (he’s done it only twice since October 2010).
Smith (#20 QB ADP) was last year’s 19th best fantasy QB. His current ranking makes sense. He had the dubious distinction of throwing zero TD passes to wide receivers. That should change this year, but not by a ton. Expect 3,200-3,500 yards and 20-25 TDs.
The biggest change to Kansas City’s on-field personnel is the arrival of Jeremy Maclin (#27 WR ADP), whose breakout 2014 season resulted in #9 fantasy WR production. But you can kiss those gaudy numbers goodbye. He’s moving from a team (Eagles) that ranked sixth in passing yards in 2014 to a team that ranked 29th. Some might say, “Well that’s because of Maclin; he’ll instantly improve the Chiefs’ aerial attack.”
But is he the 27th best WR? That would mean about 900 yards and seven TDs. I’m not quite seeing it. For his career, Alex Smith has averaged only 1.1 TDs per game. Who can begrudge Maclin for landing a well-deserved long-term contract? No one. Who should draft him as their first or second WR? No one. Predicting less than 900 yards and no more than six TDs, placing him outside the top 30 WRs.
Albert Wilson (consensus 107th ranked WR) has a decent shot of landing the Chiefs’ #2 wideout job. He showed flashes late last season with 209 yards in weeks 14-16. Still, he’s someone to monitor during bye weeks, when--if he does start--he could get one or two WR2/3 performances (and a whole lot of WR5-8 showings). Rookie Chris Conley (consensus #94 WR) is also competing for the #2 job. I think Kansas City will opt for Wilson in Week 1, but Conley’s certainly a guy to keep tabs on, as physically and athletically he’s too gifted to ignore all season.
Turning to tight end, last preseason most experts ranked Travis Kelce in the 20s among TEs. I ranked him 10th:
https://www.facebook.com/FantasyFootballForWinners/posts/731692750212040).
He finished eighth.
This year the experts love him. He’s consistently ranked in the top 5. His ADP sits at #4. I think it’s an overreaction to last year’s breakout. This year I’m remaining unconventional, but on the opposite side of the spectrum: Kelce is oscillating between 8th, 9th, and 10th on my TE list. Don’t overreach for a TE in a run-first offense that just paid big money for a true #1 WR. While talented, Kelce won’t produce 1,000 yards and 6-7 TDs.
K.C.’s offensive rudder, Jamaal Charles, owns the #1 RB ADP and is #2 overall. Who would dare to pass on him first overall? You’re looking at him (figuratively speaking). It’s not that I’m numb to his career 5.5 YPC or ignorant of his potential as a still-in-his-prime workhorse in the Chiefs’ RB-loving scheme.
I’m concerned about Knile Davis, whose #48 RB ADP is odd considering he’s one of the game’s best (and most NFL ready) RB handcuffs. Davis earned 150 touches last year. His back-to-back 3.5 YPC seasons are the only blemish in an otherwise impressive resume that led to seven TDs in 2014--including four poached in games Charles started. Finishing 32nd among fantasy RBs, Davis has a great shot to move into the top 25 this season.
Yes, Charles is the workhorse. But I want more touches and less competition from my #1 pick.