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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.

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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

Carter Hart

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Thursday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Sidelined in Memphis
Joel Eriksson Ek

Out Day-to-Day
Jakob Poeltl

Remains Out Friday Against Celtics
Joel Kiviranta

Labeled Week-to-Week
Franz Wagner

to Miss Friday's Game Against Philadelphia
Brendan Smith

Out for 3-4 Months After Surgery
Jalen Suggs

to Miss Fourth Straight Game Friday
NHL

Sharks Acquire Laurent Brossoit
P.J. Washington

is Ruled Out for Thursday's Contest
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

is Returning on Thursday
Daniel Jones

Colts Plan to Re-Sign Daniel Jones
Darius Garland

to Play on Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Active Thursday
Coby White

to Play with Minutes Limit on Thursday
Ace Bailey

Sidelined on Thursday
Kevin Huerter

Won't Play on Thursday
Andrew Nembhard

Won't Play on Thursday
Brandon Miller

is Cleared for Thursday's Game
LaMelo Ball

Upgraded to Available on Thursday
Kevin Love

Available For Thursday
Kawhi Leonard

Suffers Ankle Injury, Considered Questionable for Friday
Jamie Drysdale

Unavailable Against Maple Leafs
Bobby Brink

Sits Out Thursday
Simon Nemec

Back for Devils Thursday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Questionable For Thursday Against Mavs
Troy Terry

Misses Thursday's Game
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Good to Go Against Sabres
Brad Marchand

Out Thursday
Ace Bailey

Considered Questionable Versus Dallas
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Set to Return Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Questionable for Thursday
Davante Adams

Off the Injury Report, Will Play Against Carolina
Bo Bichette

Phillies to Meet With Bo Bichette
Rome Odunze

Will Return for Wild-Card Game on Saturday
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DJ Lagway Commits to Baylor
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Dolphins Fire Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Matvei Michkov

Expected to Play Thursday
Alex Lyon

to Miss at Least One More Week
Mason Marchment

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Battling Illness, Iffy for Thursday
J.T. Miller

Likely to Return Thursday
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Out Through Olympic Break
Dean Wade

Ruled Out Thursday
Brandon Williams

Questionable for Thursday
Sam LaPorta

Plans to be Back for Training Camp
Owen Caissie

Shipped to Miami as Centerpiece of Trade
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Officially Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
Nathan Walker

Ready to End 16-Game Absence
Rutger McGroarty

Out Indefinitely With Concussion
Kevin Stenlund

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Rome Odunze

Plans to Play on Saturday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Finalizing Deal to Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
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Giants "All-In" on Hiring John Harbaugh
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Jackson Arnold Signs with UNLV
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Sam Leavitt Scheduled to Visit Tennessee
New York Giants

John Harbaugh Expected to be Favorite to Become New Giants Head Coach
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John Harbaugh Won't Return as Ravens Head Coach
Bo Bichette

Unlikely to Return to Toronto?
Jordan Love

Ready to Start in Wild-Card Game Against Bears
CFB

Jadan Baugh Staying with Florida for Junior Season
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Commanders "Mutually" Parting Ways With OC Kliff Kingsbury
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Byrum Brown Officially Commits to Auburn
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Austin Simmons Signing with Missouri
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Ty Simpson Undecided on 2026 Plans
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Quarterback AJ Hill Following Ryan Silverfield to Arkansas
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Falcons Have Requested an Interview With Klint Kubiak
Deshaun Watson

Browns Expect Deshaun Watson to be on the Team Next Year
Wan'Dale Robinson

Dealing With Fractured Ribs
Cam Skattebo

Hopes to be Back by Training Camp
Cameron Ward

Won't Need Surgery on his Shoulder
Davante Adams

Rams Expect Davante Adams to Return in Wild-Card Round
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Fire Head Coach Jonathan Gannon
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Fire Head Coach Pete Carroll
Malik Nabers

Unsure if He Will Be Ready for Week 1 of 2026 Season
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Trinidad Chambliss Will Return to Ole Miss If Granted Sixth Year of Eligibility
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Zac Taylor Will Return as Bengals Head Coach in 2026
Bo Bichette

Phillies Have Interest in Bo Bichette
Kansas City Royals

Matt Quatraro Signs Three-Year Extension With Royals
CFB

Transfer QB Billy Edwards Commits to North Carolina
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Sam Leavitt Visiting Texas Tech on Saturday
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DJ Lagway Expected To Visit Florida State
Kyle Tucker

Blue Jays "Remain the Favorite" to Sign Kyle Tucker

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
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1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP