Offseason Headline

The Chiefs were unsuccessful in their bid to win back to back Super Bowls, and the one glaring weakness that they showed was their offensive line. The Chiefs offensive line entered the game banged up and then gave up 3 sacks on the biggest stage in football. So this drove the Chiefs to majorly upgrade the o-line with free agent additions Joe Thuney and Austin Blythe, trading for Orlando Brown Jr. and drafting Creed Humphrey. A revitalized offensive line could possibly return this team to its unbeatable form in 2021.

Quarterback

Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Mahomes is the easiest guy to talk about in fantasy football. All you have to say is get him on your team, but let’s back up this claim. In 2020, Mahomes threw for 4,740 yards, 38 TDs, 6 ints and ran for 308 yards and 2 TDs. Mahomes simply balled out last year, but it wasn’t easy for him. Last year, his offensive line was very banged up and his protection rate (83.9%) was 21st in the league. This was something that really came to our attention in the Super Bowl when Pat Mahomes had his worst game, getting picked off twice and sacked 3 times. So let’s look at Pat Mahomes’ season stats behind this shaky line. Mahomes’ completion percentage when pressured (43.1) was 11th in the league and his clean pocket completion percentage (75.9) was 10th in the league. These stats show us that Mahomes being pressured last season was still dangerous. 

As a matter of fact, Mahomes ranked 25th in danger plays (a play in which a quarterback lacks awareness or takes an unnecessary risk which could result in a turnover). Mahomes ranked 2nd in money throws (throws that require exceptional athleticism and/or are executed in clutch moments). These two stats show us that Mahomes more often than not is throwing the right pass. This year the Chiefs overhauled their offensive line and should keep Mahomes upright this upcoming year. All I can say is if he stays up this year and is battling from a cleaner pocket than last year, then the NFL should prepare itself for a crazy career year for Mahomes. Verdict: Dynasty/Redraft

Clyde Edwards Helaire

Clyde Edwards Helaire, or CEH for short, is a breakout candidate in 2021. Last season, CEH produced at a high level, totaling 1,100 yards from scrimmage (803 rushing and 297 receiving) and 5 TDs (4 rushing TDs and 1 receiving TD). Kansas City had the 31st ranked run block win rate, which just to clarify means the team won 67 percent of run blocking matchups. The line was terrible when it came to run blocking, and CEH averaged 4.4 yard per carry. This season CEH will have upgrades all over the line, and with the additions of Joe Thuney, Orlando Brown Jr. and Austin Blythe should bring this team’s run blocking to a new level. I’m high on CEH this year because he has a lot going for him in 2021. If he can take advantage of a new line and Pat Mahomes being his QB, then he’ll be a RB1. 

In an interview with FOX4, Clyde Edwards Helaire talked about improving in the offseason with OTAs and minicamp. “There are things we’re implementing to get the ball to the back and just get the ball spread out more. So that was one of the things on why I chose to work on my hands and just be more of a threat”. It’s great to hear that Edwards-Helaire is working on his hands because the receiving aspect can make him a desired entity in fantasy football. If CEH improves his game in 2021 then we may be looking at a guy who could be getting 1500-2000 scrimmage yards next year. That’s the type of potential you double down on. Verdict: Dynasty/Redraft

Darrell Williams

Darrel Williams had an opportunity in 2020 to establish himself as the “handcuff” to Clyde Edwards Helaire. Williams had 285 yards from scrimmage and 1 TD last season. The Chiefs subtracted running backs Le’veon Bell and Damien Williams, paving the way for Darrel Williams to be the #2 RB in Kansas City. Williams runs the ball well, but he isn’t an every-down back. Even if Edwards Helaire goes down, I wouldn’t fully buy into Williams as the guy to replace him fully. Verdict: Fade

Jerick McKinnon

Jerick “The Jet” McKinnon came back to the NFL last year after two ACL surgeries in back to back seasons. He produced well as a backup last year with 319 yards, 5 TDs rushing, 253 yards, and a receiving TD on 33 recs. He was brought in this year to be a change of pace back/receiving back for the Kansas City Chiefs. I don’t think he can produce too much for the Chiefs this year, especially considering they are trying to get CEH more involved in the receiving game. McKinnon is worth the flier if CEH goes down this year, but shouldn’t be considered a must have handcuff. Verdict: Fade

Wide Receivers

Tyreek Hill

Tyreek Hill’s 2020 season was incredible, boasting 87 receptions, 1,276 yards and 15 TDs. Hill is a cheat code, he’s so good with the ball in his hands. Last year Hill posted 441 yards after the catch (YAC), averaging 5 yards per reception. Hill has been known primarily as a deep threat; last year he backed it up by being targeted downfield 32 times last year. Hill is an insane deep threat for the Chiefs; one metric that tells it all is his unrealized air yards (total yards of uncaught passes). He had 911 unrealized yards last year on 48 uncaught targets. If he can shore up some of these catches then the sky’s the limit for the man they call “Cheetah”. Knowing how explosive Hill is makes me realize he may have not even scratched the surface on his potential. 

What makes Tyreek Hill a dominant force on offense? Is it his outrageous speed and acceleration? Maybe his ability to stop and change direction on a dime? I say it’s Andy Reid’s game plan that makes Hill unstoppable. Hill is the blueprint for what you want to do with speedsters in the league. Get the ball anyway you can and let him put in work. Whether it’s an end-around, screen pass, slant pass or a deep ball, Hill can beat you. This is what makes the 27-year old a must-own in leagues, and as crazy as it sounds, I think Hill has his best season this year. I’m going out on a limb and saying Hill will eclipse 100 receptions this year with 1200-1500 yards and 15-20 total TDs. Verdict: Dynasty/Redraft

Mecole Hardman

Mecole Hardman is getting the chance this year to start opposite Tyreek Hill. Sammy Watkins’ exit this year in free agency signaled the rise of Mecole Hardman on the Chiefs. Last year, Hardman caught 41 passes for 560 yards and 4 TDs on 62 targets. Hardman put up an impressive 13.6 yards per catch (YPC) last season along with his 7 YAC. Simply put, Hardman has the ability to be a carbon copy of Tyreek Hill.

That’s a scary proposition for teams to face this upcoming season. While not as agile as the “Cheetah”, Hardman does possess the speed and route tree to tear defenses apart. He’ll have all the opportunities to prove he’s a capable wide receiver this year. Verdict: Stash

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ_0hLrqmA0

Demarcus Robinson

It’s really hard to hate any of Kansas City’s receiving options. I mean, when Pat Mahomes is your quarterback any day could be your day. Demarcus Robinson put up 45 receptions, 466 yards and 3 TDs.  Robinson is my least favorite wide receiver in this bunch. His skillset is identical to Mecole Hardman, but where Hardman stands out is that he can get yards after the catch. Last season, Robinson’s YAC was 3.8, while Hardmans was 7, almost double. I just don’t see Robinson winning a role long term after the Chiefs added Cornell Powell in the draft. Verdict: Fade

Byron Pringle

Byron Pringle showed us what he could do in limited time last season. Pringle’s biggest play came against the Broncos, when he took a 102-yard kick return to the house. Last year it was Pringle’s special teams work that made him a staple on the Chiefs. This year it could be his role as a receiver. The departure of Sammy Watkins opened up a spot on the wide receiver depth chart for someone to step up. Pringle is a perimeter threat who can burn defenders and become a reliable threat all over the field. Last year, Pringle put together 13 receptions, 160 yards and a TD on 17 targets. Pringle has a chance this year to make something out of a good situation in Kansas City. Verdict: Stash

Cornell Powell

Cornell Powell had an excellent senior season with the Clemson Tigers, with 882 yards and 7 TDs on 53 receptions. Powell showed a diversity of routes at Clemson. He has perimeter speed, as well as the ability to catch underneath passes and get yards after the catch. Powell will most likely be used as a possession receiver and a big framed slot receiver. Lookout for this guy in your rookie drafts, the Chief depth chart is wide open after Tyreek Hill. If Powell can impress in training camp we may get to see a lot of him this year. Verdict: Stash

Tight End

Travis Kelce

No question, Travis Kelce is the best tight end in the game. Last season, Kelce caught 105 passes for a single season record of 1,416 yards and 11 TDs. Travis Kelce is damn near un-guardable and he’s efficient with the passes thrown his way. Let’s start with his drops, you’d think someone targeted 145 times would probably drop a couple, right? Yeah, well Travis Kelce is the outlier because he’s only dropped the ball once. Kelce was efficient last season and nothing was going to stop him from a record year. Kelce’s ADOT last year was 8.5 yards, and his YAC was 5.6 yards. He was a beast when he caught the ball and turned all his opportunities into a record breaking season.

Travis Kelce has been ranked number 1 for tight ends 4 out of the last 5 seasons. He’s been the safest pick for the past 5 years and looks to continue to be a safe pick in 2021. The one thing going against Kelce is his age, and the potential he has to regress this year. I don’t know if Kelce can break his own record this year but I wouldn’t put it past him as long as Pat Mahomes is his quarterback. Verdict: Dynasty/Redraft

Noah Gray

Noah Gray is being called the next Travis Kelce. That’s a lot of pressure for a 5th round pick. Most people think that when Kelce retires or misses games that Gray will just step in and pick up the slack. The reality is that this is a guy who was limited in his usage at Duke University and tallied 105 receptions, 948 yards and 8 TDs during his 4-year career. Not impressive numbers, but his highlight reel does show us that he can run good underneath/short routes and break tackles. There’s not a lot of tape on him as a deep threat but as long as he can take a nine yard pass and make it a thirteen-yard play then he’ll be worth the pick. I wouldn’t bank on Gray doing much this year, but stashing him away for the future could be a very solid play for fantasy owners. Verdict: Stash

Stacks to own

Mahomes-Kelce

Mahomes-Hill

Mahomes-CEH

Conclusion

The Chiefs are going to be a juggernaut offense once again in 2021. The real question for them is if someone new is going to step into that fantasy relevant realm with Mahomes, Kelce and Hill. Making a long story short, the Chiefs are one of the rosters you should feel confident in stacking in fantasy football. They are just that damn good!

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