Kansas City Chiefs: Analyzing the team’s top 5 fantasy football performers

The Kansas City Chiefs are a fantasy football goldmine loaded with productive players. As drafts continue to roll on into the final week of the NFL preseason, there is no such thing as being over-prepared in your respective leagues. While getting your roster cornerstones in line is paramount for fantasy glory, scoping out the “Sleepers” and “Potential Breakout” candidates could be a huge advantage.

Patrick Mahomes - QB1

Patrick Mahomes is in a tier of his own at the quarterback position. After leading all players in fantasy scoring last season, the former MVP is once again the consensus QB1 draft pick for 2023. 

In his five seasons as the Chiefs' starter, Mahomes' stats are video game-like. He's averaged 303 passing yards and nearly 24 fantasy points per game in that span. Mahomes has finished as a top-3 fantasy QB every year, capturing the QB1 spot three times. 

Last season, Mahomes delivered his finest fantasy output yet. He threw for a career-high 5,250 yards and 41 touchdowns, shattering the Chiefs' previous franchise records. He offset the loss of Tyreek Hill without a hitch -- spreading the ball around to Travis Kelce, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and others. He finished 2022 with over 100 more fantasy points than QB2 Josh Allen.
Simply put, Mahomes offers a remarkably high floor and ceiling every time he takes the field. He is about the safest bet to finish as a top-3 fantasy QB once again in 2023. 

With Andy Reid scheming up formations, and weapons like Kelce and MVS firmly in place, Mahomes is in position to threaten 5,000+ yards and 40+ TDs for a second-straight campaign. He is worth a draft pick within Rounds 2-3 in any format. Him, Josh Allen or Jalen Hurts are likely to rotate being selected as the first QB in drafts.

Travis Kelce - TE1

The greatest tight end in NFL history keeps chugging along as an elite fantasy option. Kelce has now finished first among TEs in PPR scoring six of the past seven seasons. The lone exception was a runner-up finish in 2021. 

Kelce is coming off a historic 2022 performance in which he posted career-highs with 110 receptions, 1,338 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. His 19 PPR points per game last season crushed the rest of the pack. No other tight end averaged even 14 points. He has now delivered seven straight 1,000-yard seasons, averaging 8.4 touchdowns per year over that span as Mahomes' security blanket. Despite entering a season where he'll be age 34, Kelce continues to perform at a ridiculously high level at his fantasy position.

If he remains healthy, Kelce is expected to turn in another top fantasy football finish in 2023.
While age is a slight concern, Kelce has shown no signs of slowing down yet. As long as Mahomes is tossing him the ball, Kelce will continue to post comfortable stat lines for fantasy lineups. The gap between him and the rest of the position remains substantial, and he is well worth a late-first, or early second-round pick. He offers an enticing positional edge with every passing week.

Skyy Moore - WR50

Rookie receiver Skyy Moore fell short of lofty expectations in 2022 after being drafted in the 2nd round. That said, the talented wideout has substantial breakout potential heading into his sophomore NFL campaign.

Moore struggled to carve out a consistent role as a rookie, as the Chiefs used him primarily as a reserve. He didn't play 50 percent of offensive snaps in a single game last season, as veterans JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling dominated playing time. Moore showed flashes of his potential when given opportunities. He ranked top-50 at the position in YPR and YPC. The former Western Michigan product simply needs more chances to unleash his playmaking ability in 2023.

With another year developing chemistry with Mahomes, Moore is a prime breakout candidate for 2023. The Chiefs want to create touches for their speedy young receiver, and they might even run him some out of the backfield. And with his crisp routes and run-after-catch skills, Moore can be extremely efficient with added volume. Fantasy managers should buy into the discount on Moore as a late-round flier. If his role expands as expected, he could easily finish as a WR2, and massively outproduce his preseason ADP. Don't sleep on Moore's upside in KC's stacked offense.

Isiah Pacheco - RB25

Isiah Pacheco was one of the biggest surprises across the entire NFL last season. The seventh-round pick emerged from obscurity -- becoming the Chiefs' primary ball carrier down the stretch, and showed up huge during the playoff run.

After Clyde Edwards-Helaire struggled as the first RB in the pecking order early in the year, Pacheco took over as the early-down rusher around midseason. From Weeks 10 to 17, he averaged 65 rushing yards per game, and ranked as a fantasy RB2 during that stretch. In the postseason, Pacheco topped 70 yards in all three contests, including 76 yards and a TD in the Super Bowl.

With Edwards-Helaire now gone, Pacheco is poised to handle lead back duties in 2023. Even if Jerick McKinnon retains the passing down role, Pacheco projects for around 200 carries and goal line work. He should deliver RB2/flex value all season long. Fantasy managers are wisely investing in Pacheco during their drafts, selecting him in Rounds 5-6. Continued development in his second campaign would help him potentially climb into the RB1 mix. Don't underestimate his potential and volume.

Kadarius Toney - WR45

Talent has never been the question for Kadarius Toney. He's had "blowup" potential for two different franchises, but injuries and fluctuating usage have prevented him from being deemed a consistent fantasy producer. Toney may finally find stability and a major role. If he earns Mahomes' trust, the former New York Giants first-round pass catcher offers gargantuan upside as a mid-round target.

Toney possesses game-altering shiftiness and RAC ability. He's shown flashes of dominance in an unorthodox manner, looking like a future Hall-of-Famer in some games and then completely one dimensional in others. The Chiefs need a field stretcher to complement Kelce, now that Smith-Schuster is playing for the New England Patriots. Toney could ideally fill that void, but fantasy managers are rightfully skeptical after previous letdowns. 

Toney is worth a shot in the mid-to-late rounds because of his team's monster passing game. If he stays healthy, his ceiling is immense. But beware of his low floor if durability issues persist. Moore is also projected to break out in 2023, which doesn't exactly do wonders for Toney. He's the ultimate high-risk, high-reward fantasy target.

Jerick McKinnon - RB43

It was a tale of two seasons for veteran running back McKinnon in 2022. After minimal early impact, he exploded down the stretch as a dynamic pass catcher. From Weeks 7 through 18, McKinnon averaged nearly five catches per game, piling up 56 receptions, 512 receiving yards and nine TDs. He formed a lethal 1-2 punch with Pacheco, thriving primarily on third downs. 

Even with another year under his belt, McKinnon seems poised to handle that role again alongside Pacheco. He offers standalone PPR value as a reliable safety valve for Mahomes. Given his age, McKinnon's ADP sits in the double-digit rounds. Though he has RB3/flex potential, especially in PPR formats, rostering both him and Pacheco would be a solid backfield handcuff for managers to start the 2023 season.

The Chiefs offer no shortage of enticing fantasy options at all positions. Their elite passing offense -- spearheaded by Mahomes and Kelce -- provides a sturdy draft foundation. Upside assets like Moore and Toney offer mid-round appeal. And Pacheco and McKinnon project to anchor a productive backfield committee. Brimmed with talent, this KC roster is primed for another quality campaign.