Five Biggest Questions
1. Will we see more of the 2018 Patrick Mahomes, or more of the 2019 Patrick Mahomes?
2. Is Clyde Edwards-Helaire a top-12 RB?
3. Will Tyreek Hill be a top-6 WR?
4. Can Sammy Watkins be fantasy relevant?
5. Could Mecole Hardman become the #2 WR?
This summer's "32 Teams in 32 Days" rundown ends with the pre-dynasty Chiefs. Rarely, if ever, has a team had so much collective dominance at such key offensive positions: QB, RB (potentially), WR, and TE. Two years ago they were the third highest-scoring squad in NFL history. Last year they were 83rd, but who cares: they won a Super Bowl and supplanted New England as the AFC team to beat for what could be many years to come. The offense begins, of course, with Patrick Mahomes, the first $500 million player in professional sports history. However, I don't agree with his consensus #1 ADP, which has more to do with his title (I believe) than actual projected numbers. Sure, he's now a proven winner. But Lamar Jackson has more room to grow and was, quite simply, a far better fantasy player last year. I think the Mahomes-of-the-near-future will fall somewhere between his unearthly 2018 breakout and his injury-reduced "merely excellent" 2019 campaign. It's nit-picking, but picking wrong could cost you a few points per game: Don't take Mahomes over Jackson.
At RB, Damien Williams' opt-out earlier this week opens the door for rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who's shot up the rankings to #14. No doubts here. Darwin Thompson and Darrel Williams failed to impress in 2019, and DeAndre Washington wasn't much better in Oakland. This is clearly CEH's backfield, and I'd take him a few picks early, knowing he probably won't fall to 14th in most drafts.
Is it just me, or does Tyreek Hill make you nervous at his WR-4 ADP? He'll probably never be a 100-catch guy, and last year's 77/1,147/9 pace doesn't inspire confidence. If you believe the 2018 version of Mahomes will resurface, then sure, snag Hill in the early second round. But I think he's mis-cast as an elite option. 8-12 is more realistic. Meanwhile, Sammy Watkins (WR-57) has to be a buy. I mean really, what do you have to lose? He looked terrific in the playoffs last year and proved early in the regular season that he could still post great numbers. Injuries and a bizarre touchdown drought (zero from Week 2 to Week 17) have depressed his value. Gimme Watkins as a top-40 option nearly every time he takes the field. In other words, on a per-game basis he should finish in the top 40 easily, and the top 30 possibly. He's just as good a bet as Mecole Hardman (WR-46) at a cheaper price. Hardman was buoyed by an unsustainable six scores on only 26 catches. His receptions definitely should increase, but his TD ratio won't.
Finally, Travis Kelce is ranked #1. Of course. And that's a good way to end this year's "32 Teams in 32 Days."