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2016 Fantasy Football Team Outlook - Kansas City Chiefs

Demetri Raftopoulos provides an overview of the fantasy outlook for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016 with a position-by-position breakdown and ADP analysis.

This article continues off our team outlook series where we will breakdown each NFL team from a fantasy football perspective. We will cover the major changes on each team in the offseason and project what the team will do in the upcoming season.

Today we take a look at the Kansas City Chiefs.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through October. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Offseason Moves

Offseason Acquisitions: QB Nick Foles, WR Rod Streater, WR Mike Williams

Offseason Departures: WR Fred Williams, QB Chase Daniel

 

Quarterback

Alex Smith is a likable quarterback; a safe suitor to bring home to mom and dad, simply because of how conservative he is. But that translates to boring in the fantasy world, and a quarterback that leaves owners waiting and waiting and waiting for a big performance. His 6.6 average yard depth of throw was worst in the league, according to ESPN.com, while he finished 2015 with only 20 touchdowns through the air. Smith did come close to tallying 500 rushing yards and found the end zone twice with his feet. It's just unrealistic to bank on his legs to produce for a lineup.

Andy Reid has also been heavily favoring the run game. Whether it's Jamaal Charles or Charcandrick West, the man has a way with his lead backs. The same will likely be the case this season, especially if they're both healthy. The Chiefs have also recently signed Nick Foles, who likely won't threaten to take Smith's starting gig. It's just important to note that Foles was drafted by Andy Reid. It would be wise to fish elsewhere for a QB2.

 

Running Backs

Jamaal Charles had his eyes set on another solid season in 2015. Nearly through five games, Charles had accumulated over 500 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns. In that fifth game, Charles attempted to cut and twisted his right knee in a disturbing angle. Torn ACL. Season over. But the talented running back appears to be healthy and on track to start the regular season, despite the unlikelihood of him playing in Kansas City's next preseason contest. Charles is undoubtedly still a RB1, but he is coming off of his second ACL surgery and climbing in age.

Charcandrick West filled in admirably when Charles went down last season, but is battling an elbow injury of his own. Regardless, West is handcuffed to Charles. He would still likely share carries with Spencer Ware if Charles went down again. West averaged 8.8 yards on four carries in Kansas City's preseason opener but averaged a mediocre 4.0 yards per carry in 2015 (34th overall in the league).

 

Wide Receiver

There's always a hesitation in drafting Chiefs receivers simply because of the conservative play of Alex Smith. But Jeremy Maclin made sure that wouldn't be the case for him in 2015. Maclin finished the campaign with 1,088 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. The issue with Maclin is his health and the inconsistency of having him on your squad. Maclin caught less than five passes six times, including four straight games of only three receptions. Also, he is now battling a groin injury. Maclin's boom-or-bust ways makes him risky, but he is still a WR3.

Albert Wilson and Chris Conley are two other interesting names stirring in Kansas City's pot of receivers. Wilson improved in his second full season in the league with 451 receiving yards and two touchdowns. When active, Wilson was also on the field for 80.7% of the team's pass plays in 2015, according to ESPN.com. If he can claim the number two receiver spot and stay on the field, he's worth a glance in deeper leagues. The same goes for Conley, who stands at 6-foot-2 and is crazy fast. Both guys can burst onto the scene, just as long as their quarterback throws them the ball.

 

Tight End

Our guys at RotoBaller have Travis Kelce ranked fifth overall among tight ends entering the 2016 campaign. He's no Gronk or Jimmy Graham, but Kelce is safe considering the short nature of Kansas City's passing attack. Smith enjoys the short throws, those in Kelce's direction even more. Kelce was targeted 100 times last season and reeled in 72 of them. He finished sixth in total receiving yards out of the tight end position in 2015 and should teeter around the top five again in 2016. Kelce is a TE1 and should be targeted in the middle rounds of standard league drafts.

 

Kicker

Cairo Santos missed seven field goals last season, even if four of the misses were from 50+ yards. Santos' value is handcuffed to the Chiefs ability to move the ball. In 2015, Kansas City was ranked 27th in total offense. But that doesn't necessarily mean that Santos won't get his opportunities. Last season, he went 7/7 and 5/6 respectively, and could provide a huge boost to a lineup because of his streakiness. Santos is a last-pick-in-the-draft type kicker and shouldn't be held onto too tightly. He's replaceable.

 

Defense

Last season, the Chiefs defensive unit accumulated 47.0 sacks, 22 interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, and six total touchdowns. They're currently ranked eighth according to RotoBaller's average ADP and could very well jump the rankings if they once again post big numbers for owners. There is no reason to believe that their defense weakened in the offseason. Keep an eye on them in the later rounds of your draft.
 


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

CFB

Josh Heupel Says He's Not a Candidate for Penn State Head Coach Job
Trey Hendrickson

Doubtful to Return in Week 14
Tee Higgins

Still in the Concussion Protocol
Drake London

"has a Chance" to Play in Week 14
J.J. McCarthy

in Line to Start in Week 14?
Aaron Jones Sr.

Not Dealing With Serious Shoulder Injury, Likely Day-to-Day
Sam Darnold

Dealing With Ankle Injury, "Should be Good" for Week 14
CFB

Will Stein, Brian Hartline the Top Candidates for Kentucky Job?
CFB

Nebraska Fires Defensive Coordinator John Butler After One Season
CFB

UCLA Expected to Hire Bob Chesney as Next Head Coach
Sauce Gardner

Officially Week-to-Week with Strained Calf
CFB

Lane Kiffin to Make $13 Million Salary, Ties Kirby Smart
CFB

Buster Faulkner, Joey Halzle Candidates for Florida Offensive Coordinator Job?
CFB

Kentucky Officially Fires Mark Stoops
Justin Herbert

Has Metacarpal Fracture in Left Hand
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Week 14 Availability Up in the Air
VEG

Carter Hart Expected to Make Golden Knights Debut Tuesday
Andre Drummond

Leaves Early, Status Now in Question
Pyotr Kochetkov

Remains Without Timeline For Return
Boone Jenner

Close to Returning
Tre Mann

Uncertain for Monday's Game Against Nets
Lian Bichsel

Exits With Injury Sunday
Deandre Ayton

Leaves Game With Knee Soreness
Petr Mrazek

Injured in Sunday's Loss
Adam Fox

Placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve
Brandon Williams

Questionable With Adductor Issue
P.J. Washington

Uncertain For Monday's Contest
Daniel Gafford

Expected To Miss Second Straight Game
Zach Ertz

Leads Washington in Receiving in Overtime Loss
James Cook

Handles Career-High 32 Carries for 144 Yards in Win
Egor Demin

Available Against Hornets
Justin Herbert

Planning to Play Through Broken Bone in Left Hand in Week 14
Terance Mann

in Danger of Missing Monday's Game
Sauce Gardner

Likely to Miss a "Couple of Weeks" With Calf Strain
Noah Clowney

Considered Probable for Monday
Michael Porter Jr.

Listed as Probable for Monday's Matchup
Caris LeVert

Expected Back Monday
Duncan Robinson

Questionable to Face Hawks
Jalen Duren

Likely to Return Against Hawks Monday
Brock Bowers

Records Two Touchdown Grabs in Week 13
Alexandre Sarr

Iffy for Monday
Mark Williams

Available Against Lakers Monday
Ryan Dunn

on Track to Return Monday
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Uncertain for Monday
Coby White

Returning to Bulls Lineup Monday
Paolo Banchero

Unavailable Monday
Larry Nance Jr.

to Miss 3-4 Weeks
Jarrett Allen

to Miss a Week of Action
Justin Herbert

Suffers Fractured Hand in Week 13, Will Have Surgery
Kimani Vidal

has Season-High in Rushing Yards in Win Over Raiders
De'Von Achane

Looks Unstoppable on the Ground in Week 13
Davante Adams

has Another Two-Touchdown Game
Aaron Jones Sr.

is Questionable to Return With Shoulder Injury
Adonai Mitchell

has Career Day With 102 Yards, Touchdown in Win
Bijan Robinson

Compiles 191 Total Yards, Touchdown in Loss to Jets
CFB

Lane Kiffin to be Introduced as LSU's Next Head Coach on Monday
CFB

Florida Poised to Land Jon Sumrall as Next Head Coach
CFB

Alex Golesh Taking Over Auburn Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Arkansas Expected to Hire Ryan Silverfield as Next Head Coach
Joel Hofer

Shuts Out Mammoth
Owen Tippett

Amasses Three Points in Saturday's Win
Stuart Skinner

Bounces Back With Shutout
Brock Nelson

Notches Four Points in Big Win
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Sustains Upper-Body Injury
Logan Cooley

Hurt in Saturday's Loss
Warren Foegele

Not Ready to Return Saturday
Simon Benoit

Won't Play Saturday
Henri Jokiharju

Lands on Injured Reserve
Zack Wheeler

Likely to Return in May
Pavel Zacha

a Game-Time Call Saturday
Ryan Helsley

Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Orioles
David Pastrnak

Out for Second Consecutive Game
William Nylander

Available Saturday
Kyle Palmieri

Out for 6-8 Months With Torn ACL
Jake Walman

Sidelined for Third Consecutive Game
Jack Roslovic

to Miss Two Weeks
Dylan Cease

Agrees With Blue Jays on Seven-Year, $210 Million Deal
Anthony Rendon

Angels Could Buy Out Final Year of Anthony Rendon's Contract
Josh Hader

Says his Shoulder is "Back to Normal"
Ketel Marte

Diamondbacks "Actively Listening" on Ketel Marte

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