Hello Fantasy friends and foes, and welcome to the next installment in the series of team previews. Tofday, we take on the 2023 Fantasy Football Kansas City Chiefs Preview.
The Kansas City Chiefs finished the regular season with a 14-3 record which matched the franchise record for wins. The Chiefs finished the regular season with a point differential of +127. Their offense finished the regular season averaging a league-high 29.2 points per game. Even after trading Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, the Chiefs accomplished better offense numbers. The Chiefs' defense finished middle of the pack by allowing 21.8 points per game.
Andy Reid and the Chiefs were pushed hard in the AFC by the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Cincinnati Bengals on their way to the Super Bowl. The Chiefs and the Eagles played a superb game in The Super Bowl. The game could have gone either way, but the Chiefs survived for their second Super Bowl win in four years.
The Chiefs focused on the defense in the 2023 NFL Draft by selecting edge defenders Felix Anudike-Uzomah and BJ Thompson. In addition, they improved their offensive line by bringing in Jawaan Taylor and Donovan Smith in free agency.
Can Mahomes and Kelce continue the magic? Which WR will step up and be the WR1 in this Chiefs offense? Will the Chiefs repeat? The answers to these questions and much more will be answered in the 2023 Fantasy Football Kansas City Chiefs Preview.
2023 Fantasy Football Kansas City Chiefs Preview
Become an All-Access Member to get access to our Award-Winning Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Tools and more.
If you are already a member, sign in.
Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes Superman throw in slow motion! ? pic.twitter.com/clQmuny2KU
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) June 8, 2023
The Chiefs' offense was supposed to take a step back without Tyreek Hill producing numerous splash plays. Yeah Right! All Patrick Mahomes did was throw for a league-leading 41 touchdowns and 5,250 yards on his way to winning the MVP.
Mahomes does it all on the field. He is an elite player and leader. He is a clutch player who makes the most unforgettable plays imaginable. Mahomes also rushed for a career-high four touchdowns.
No questions here. He should be one of the top two or three quarterbacks in any fantasy draft.
Running Backs
.@chiefs #isaiahpacheco with a play demonstrating why he is RB1 in KC @Rutgers #ChiefsKingdom #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/dlYbFncj2R
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 29, 2022
- Isiah Pacheco
- Jerick McKinnon
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire
- La'Michal Perine
The Chiefs seemed to have found a winning combination in their backfield. Isiah Pacheco brings the lunch pail attitude in his running style; The 2022 seventh-round selection continues to impress with his determination and hard running. His energy and tenacity are contagious, and will remain the main rushing back for the Chiefs. Pacheco averaged 4.9 yards per carry, scored five touchdowns, and is progressing in his recovery from injuries suffered last season.
McKinnon was phenomenal in his pass-catching role, registering ten total touchdowns, nine of which were receiving touchdowns. He will continue to share snaps with Pacheco but he a valuable fantasy option in PPR leagues.
A former first-round pick in 2020, CEH continues to disappoint in each of his three seasons. Pacheco beat him out of his job and was limited to 10 games last season due to an injury. His time in Kansas City is winding down.
Wide Receivers
A look at some of the Chiefs wide receivers, including Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore. pic.twitter.com/miipqmxC3c
— Darren Smith (@DarrenSmithWHB) June 8, 2023
- Kadarius Toney
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Skyy Moore
- Richie James
- Rashee Rice
- Justin Watson
- Justyn Ross
- Cornell Powell
The departure of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman leaves a massive hole for someone to step up. The Chiefs acquired Kadarius Toney from the New York Giants last season, and they believe Toney will step up and be the WR1 this season. There is always a cloud that looms over Toney regarding his injuries. Toney is a dynamic playmaker and difference-maker. Drafting Toney as your WR3 is your best bet.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling sits as the WR2 in the Chiefs' offense but was not impressive in his first season in Kansas City. MVS was a home run threat in Green Bay but never seemed to have things click with Mahomes. He only scored two touchdowns but averaged 16.4 yards per reception which bodes well as he fights for targets in this offense.
2022 second-round pick Skyy Moore was another disappointment, but he started to come on as the season wore on, and there were bright flashes. Reid is known not to like to play rookies, but Moore is expected to take the next step in his sophomore season to be a possible sleeper breakout candidate.
Richie James comes over from the New York Giants after setting single-season career highs in targets (70), receptions (57), receiving yards (569), and receiving touchdowns (four). His game revolves around speed and explosive plays and can be a valuable depth piece. Fantasy managers should view James as a deep sleeper option.
The Chiefs also looked to the 2023 NFL Draft to obtain reliable options on the outside and drafted Rashee Rice in the second round. Rice has developed chemistry with Mahomes in camp. Rice continues to impress and looks like a wide receiver that fantasy managers must watch out for this season.
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce is just built differently! ?pic.twitter.com/jmibvu0kYE
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) June 12, 2023
Since 2016, Travis Kelce has finished as either the TE1 or TE2 overall in each of those seven seasons, including five seasons of being the TE1. Kelce is a cheat code in Fantasy Football. He's the only TE that should be drafted in the first round of your fantasy football drafts.
At 33 years old, Kelce shows zero signs of slowing down, producing 110 receptions for 1,338 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Kelce is a fantasy monster, and there is no stopping him with Mahomes behind center.
Noah Gray and Jody Fortson have limited fantasy potential unless the unmentionable happens. Both tight ends have displayed potential but will not see the field enough to make any significant fantasy impact.
The Final Verdict
As long as Andy Reid has Mahomes and Kelce help lead the Chiefs' offense, the Chiefs will always have a chance. The Chiefs have made the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons, and with this triplet, the door is always open. They have improved on both sides of the ball this past offseason, so the Chiefs should be considered the favorites in the AFC to reach The Super Bowl.
Check out our other great Fantasy Football content from the F6P Team!
