Road to QB1: Patrick Mahomes

In just six years as a starter, Patrick Mahomes II has already put together a potential Hall of Fame-worthy career with three Super Bowl wins, three All-Pro selections, five Pro Bowl appearances, one MVP award and one AP Offensive Player of the Year award. In each season, he has finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback.

Despite his overall dominance, Mahomes took a slight step back in 2023, averaging just 18.4 fantasy points per game and finishing as the QB8, tying for the lowest of his career. His dip in production was a result of throwing for just 4,183 yards and 27 touchdowns, both setting his lowest totals since 2019, a season in which he missed two games due to injury.

Mahomes' struggles were thrown out the window when Kansas City brought back another Lombardi Trophy in February but in any case, his statistical regression was hardly put on his own shoulders. For the first time since 2014, the Chiefs ended the year without a 1,000-yard receiver as 34-year-old Travis Kelce topped the list with 984 yards.

With the team's uncharacteristic struggles on offense, Mahomes had the worst fantasy year of his career. For the first time with him under center, the Chiefs relied on their defense to win another title. However, with the offseason Kansas City put together, their odds of repeating as champions are brighter than ever and Mahomes' path back to fantasy hierarchy is as clear as it has ever been.

How Patrick Mahomes can reclaim QB1 status

Since Tyreek Hill left Kansas City in favor of Miami, the black mark of the Chiefs has been their lack of reliable receivers on offense. Rashee Rice broke out late in his rookie season to provide optimism moving forward but regardless, the front office has responded in the offseason.

After signing former first-round pick Marquise "Hollywood" Brown in March, the team selected speedster Xavier Worthy in the 2024 NFL Draft. Both Brown and Worthy are expected to fill the two starting positions alongside Rice, providing what many predict will be the first reliable wide receiver trio for Mahomes since the departure of Tyreek Hill.

It is unreasonable to expect Worthy to match the production of Hill in this offense but the latter's success proved how effective Mahomes is with a dynamic deep threat at his disposal. If Worthy is half the player he is projected to be, he will be a substantial upgrade in that role from Kadarius Toney and Mecole Hardman.

Several factors will impact the success of the Kansas City passing game in 2024 but with Kelce returning for what could potentially be his final season, the offense could be in its best position to succeed in its current era. The team will also return four of its five starters on the offensive line leading to PFF ranking them as the seventh-best active unit.

For Mahomes to overtake Josh Allen as the fantasy quarterback king, his numbers will clearly need to improve. A down year from the Buffalo signal caller would not hurt but 27 touchdowns is simply not enough in 2024. A lot will be dependent on the rookie Worthy, which is never a confident bet, but regardless, Matt Nagy's offense is shaping up to be the best in the league on paper.

The competition for QB1 in 2024 will be stiff but Mahomes is arguably the most talented quarterback in the league in what could prove to be the best situation of his career.