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2023 Kansas City Chiefs Preview

Kansas City Chiefs 2023 preview

2022 recap

Points Scored : 496 (1st)

Points Against: 369 (16th)

Roster Adds QB Blaine Gabbert, WR Richie James Jr, TE DT Neil Ferrell DE Charles Omenihu, LB Drue Tranquill, S Mike Edwards , CB Darius Rush

Roster Lost: QB Chad Henne, WR Mecole Hardman, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, DT Matt Dickerson, LB Olakunle Fatusaki

Offensive Draft Selections (55th ) WR Rashee Rice , (92nd) OL Wanya Morris,

Defensive Draft Selections (31st) DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, (119th) DB Chamarri Conner, (166th) DE BJ Thompson, (194th) DT Keondre Coburn, (250th) CB Nic Jones

2023 Outlook

The Kansas City Chiefs. The epitome of success. Coached by one of the all-time greats Andy Reid, this franchise has been on cruise control to the post season for years. All good things must come to an end, what could possibly shake Chiefs kingdom?

What if none of the receivers or running backs hit? Does father time finally catch up with Travis Kelce? What if the loss of Chris Davis is too much for the defense? Does the loss of offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy loom large?

The running back position does not have a true go-to, marquee player. Isiah Pacheco, a 6th round draft pick in 2022 played well enough to displace 2020 first round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Journeyman Jerick McKinnon excelled at the passing game. Are these performances sustainable? They shouldn’t be, but offensive mastermind Andy Reid has almost always had an offense that produces success from the running back position. (Except you Clyde). New offensive coordinator Matt Nagy may strike fear into those who remember his miserable tenure in Chicago. However, Nagy was the OC for the Chiefs in 2017 and led Alex Smith to a marvelous 4000/26/5 regular season. Nagy’s familiarity with the Reid system should not affect Mahomes negatively.

At wide receiver, the Chiefs acquired former Giants WR Kadarius Toney, but as of yet there's no telling which way the scales will tip on that deal. Last year’s second round pick Skyy Moore barely saw the field in the regular season in 2022 and is a wild card heading into this season. Interestingly enough, the receivers they do have Marquez Valdez Scantling and Richie James Jr. have a better NFL track record at this point in their careers. James looked very solid in his time with the Giants last year and could bring the same connection to KC. Valdes Scantling came over from Green Bay and had the most targets and catches of his career. Asterisk being, he only caught 51.9% of those passes and has only caught 50.3% of his career passes (which have come from Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, mind you.) Mahomes should look to them early and often, and in key situations. Both are burners that could be the beneficiary of deep shots a few times a week. Justyn Ross, coming off a spinal injury during his last season at Clemson, has looked tremendous after sitting out a year due to injury. Rookie Rashee Rice doesn’t exactly have a ‘clear’ pathway to playing time but There are 135 pristine targets being delivered by Mahomes this year that need to go to someone. The player that steps up and earns the trust of the best quarterback in fantasy football can be a league winner in 2023.

Travis Kelce is going as high as third overall in some drafts this year. The advantage he gives you at Tight End is unlike that of any other position. However, as I was writing this article, Kelce suffered a hyper extended knee and may miss some time. The 33-year-old posted a career high in targets, catches and touchdowns in 2022 may now be brought along slowly, much to the dismay of those drafting him early hoping for a duplicate performance this year. This is, however, most likely, the last time he’s regarded as a first-round pick. This closely mirrors the Zach Ertz breakout year of 2018 where he set career highs in all offensive categories; only to suffer injury and setbacks each year since.

Fantasy points will be a plenty, as the Chiefs rarely take their foot off the gas pedal to play conservatively. As long as Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are leading the charge, a Chiefs player is a great target to put into your lineup's week in and week out.

2023 Schedule

Week 1 vs. Detroit

Week 2 @. Jacksonville

Week 3 vs. Chicago

Week 4 @. New York Jets

Week 5 @. Minnesota

Week 6 vs. Denver

Week 7 vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Week 8 @. Denver

Week 9 vs. Miami (in London)

Week 10 BYE

Week 11 vs Philadelphia

Week 12 @ Las Vegas

Week 13 @ Green Bay

Week 14 vs Buffalo

Week 15 @ New England

Week 16 vs Las Vegas

Week 17 vs Cinncinati

Week 18 @ Los Angeles Chargers

Strength of Schedule: 16th hardest ( .514 opponent winning percentage in 2022 )

Vegas O/U 11.5


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