2012 Team Outlook: Kansas City
QB Matt Cassel, --- - Solid/Safe Pick
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
The Chiefs have done all the right things this off season to address the gaps in last year's team. Their biggest move came when tackle Eric Winston agreed to join the team. This move (along with the return of Jamaal Charles and the free agent signing of Peyton Hills) should help Cassel. Opposing defenses will need to stop the run; when they do, Cassel should be able to pick apart secondaries. There are no excuses for Cassel this season. From a fantasy perspective Cassel could easily be a top 10 quarterback this season. Of course we thought this would be the case in past years too and it hasn't panned out. If Matt doesn't have a good year this season then he may never. The pressure is on Cassel; let's see what you've got.
QB Brady Quinn, --- - Fantasy Handcuff
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
The Chiefs added some depth at the quarterback position this off season when they signed Quinn. After losing Cassel to a season ending hand injury, they realized having a quality backup is a necessity. Quinn hasn't played a down of football since 2009, but don't let that scare you. Unless something happens to Cassel, he won't see a down of action this season either. Quinn isn't a bad quarterback, he just never had much talent around him. However, that won't be the case here in Kansas City. If something happens to Cassel it will be interesting to see what Quinn can do. If you're a Cassel owner, grabbing Quinn in the late rounds may not be a bad idea.
RB Jamaal Charles, --- - Solid/Safe Pick
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Charles suffered a torn ACL in the first quarter of the Chiefs' second game last season. Everyone knows it takes at least 12 months for players to recover from an ACL injury. This means sometime shortly after the season begins Charles should be at 100%. Jamaal claims he'll be ready for week one, but we'll believe that when we see it. When Charles does return he'll be sharing the workload with newly signed Peyton Hillis. This is not good news for fantasy owners. Charles at 100% would be a fantasy stud; Charles at 100% splitting carries means could mean lower numbers than fantasy owners want for their number on back. In his prime Charles only needed 14-18 carries a game to reach 100 yards. If his knee holds up he should get those 14-18 carries a game and by mid season when other backs are starting to slow down Jamaal should be still going strong. Some may be affraid of Hillis but I think having a bruising back to share the load will only help Charles in the long run.
RB Cyrus Gray, ATL - Deep-league Only
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
The Chiefs' third running back spot is up for grabs between Cyrus Gray and Shaun Draughn. At this point it looks like that spot will go to Gray, but a prolonged hamstring injury could harm Gray's cause. With Charles and Hillis ahead of these guys on the depth chart, it is unlikely either guy will see enough playing time to be fantasy worthy.
RB Peyton Hillis, --- - Solid/Safe Pick
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
After a very disappointing 2011 season with the Browns, Hillis found himself on the free agent market. Some believe Hillis was disgruntled last season because Cleveland wouldn't sign him to a long term contract. They believe this was the cause of Peyton's poor performance. All that became water under the bridge when Hillis signed with the Chiefs. When the season begins Hillis will likely be the Chiefs' number one back (Jamaal Charles may still be recovering from a torn ACL injury he suffered last season). For the first few weeks Hillis should post very nice fantasy numbers. Once Charles returns we're likely going to see Kansas City use a split back offense. From a fantasy perspective, this is awful news. Hillis and Charles could have easily been number one backs, but with both on one team there's no telling what we'll get. Hillis will likely be a good second back in most fantasy leagues.
RB Dexter McCluster, --- - Deep-league Only
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
The one player who has to be upset the most by the Peyton Hillis signing is Dexter McCluster. With the addition of Hillis, McCluster finds himself third on the depth chart instead of second. This means far fewer opportunities for Dexter. So much so we believe he only holds fantasy value in deep leagues. There's just too much talent in Kansas City this season for McCluster to get enough touches.
WR Jon Baldwin, --- - Gamble (high risk)
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Last season was Baldwin's first year in the NFL. In 11 games Jon only managed to pull down 21 receptions for 254 yards. This year finding time on the field may an issue. With so much talent on this team players further down on the depth chart are going to find it difficult to post good numbers. In most cases when Baldwin steps on to the field he will be the third or fourth option. This means he won't have a lot of opportunities to score points for fantasy owners. Unless you're in a deep league, it is probably best to leave Baldwin on the free agent market. On the other hand if you're looking for a late round pick with great upside then Baldwin would be a great addition. Bladwin is a talented young receiver with all the tools to be a quality NFL receiver. Fantasy owners need to keep an eye on this young man.
WR Dwayne Bowe, --- - Stud (low risk)
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Bowe is by far one of the best receivers in the game. Last year he pulled down 81 receptions for 1,159 yards with 5 touchdowns, despite playing without starting quarterback Matt Cassel the final 7 games of the season. If you've reached the point in your draft when it's time to select a receiver and Bowe is available, don't hesitate to draft him. We believe the Chiefs' offense is going to post some very good numbers this season and Bowe plays a key role in their success.
WR Steve Breaston, --- - Quality Backup
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Last season was Breaston's first year with the Chiefs. He had to learn a new playbook and play the final 7 games without starting quarterback Matt Cassel. Despite all this, Steve managed to have the second best year of his career pulling in 61 receptions for 785 yards. This year we should see better numbers than these from Breaston. With the return of Cassel and Charles (and the signing of free agent Peyton Hillis), the Chiefs' offense is stacked. This should help open up the offense, allowing players like Breaston to post good numbers.
WR Terrance Copper, --- - Not Draft Worthy
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
There is just way too much talent on this team for fantasy owners to think about drafting Copper. With three receivers ahead of Terrance, there is little chance he will see enough action this season to be fantasy worthy. The only way Copper sees enough action this year is if something happens to Bowe and Breaston, causing them to miss mutliple games at the same time.
TE Kevin Boss, --- - Quality Backup
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Another key acquition made by the Chiefs this off season was the signing of former Raiders and Giants Kevin Boss. The addition of Boss gives the Chiefs yet another weapon on offense. In Boss' final two years with the Giants he had over 500 yards and 5 touchdowns each year. The problem here is fellow tight end Tony Moeaki will be returning to action after suffering a torn ACL in training camp last season. Just how the Chiefs plan to use Boss and Moeaki needs to be seen before we can fully assess their fantasy value. Until then, it is probably best to draft Boss as a second tight end with the hope he could become a fantasy starter.
TE Tony Moeaki, --- - Quality Backup
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
While at training camp last year, Moeaki torn his ACL causing him to miss the 2011 season. With this in mind Kansas City went out and signed free agent Kevin Boss. This leaves the Chiefs with two quality tight ends. Moeaki hasn't played in a year, so it will take him some time to get back in game shape. This coupled with 6'6" and 225 pounds bounding around on a repaired knee may have contributed to the Chiefs' decision to sign Boss. Until we see just how they plan to use these guys it may be best to draft Moeaki as a backup.
PK Ryan Succop, --- - Quality Backup
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Fantasy points from kickers can be like riding a roller coaster. One week they'll score you 15 points and the next you'll get 3. The only reliable kickers play for teams with high powered offenses. While Kansas City's offense has the potential to score big this season, there's no guarantee they will. Until we see just how well the offense plays this season, we suggest skipping over Succop.
Kansas City - Quality Backup
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Kansas City's defense finished in the middle of the pack last season, allowing just over 333 yards per game. The Chiefs defense struggled getting to the quarterback, recording just 29 sacks in 2011. If the Chiefs are going to win this year they will need to be a better job putting pressure on opposing defenses. Until we see some improvement on the field, it is probably best to pass by the Chiefs defense on draft day.