2009 Kansas City Chiefs Fantasy Football Preview

The 2009 Kansas City Chiefs will sport a completely new look from '08 and those changes start at the top.  Gone are Carl Peterson and Herman Edwards and in their place come former Patriot Scott Pioli and former Cardinal Offensive Coordinator turned Head Coach Todd Haley respectively.  Furthermore, the Chiefs have a new starting QB in former Patriot Matt Cassel and the three newbies will attempt to bring some excitement back to a franchise that has been doormat for years. What impact will Cassel have on the rest of the Chiefs in terms of fantasy?  Will Cassel have another successful season or will he be a bust?  I examine these questions and more when analysing Kansas City's fantasy potential heading into '09.

Cassel was one of the biggest surprises of the 2008 NFL season stepping in for the injured Tom Brady and throwing for 3693 yards with 21 TD's and just 11 INT's.  The numbers are much more impressive when you consider that Cassel had not started a game since High School when he found himself thrust into the limelight. Cassel's performance down the stretch helped countless fantasy owners to titles as he passed for consecutive 400 yard games during the fantasy playoffs.  Moreover, Cassel almost did me in as well as I barely escaped him in the Championship round when he had 4 TD passes against the Raiders.  Thankfully, I had a well rounded enough team to overcome it but needless to say I was a bit concerned watching his game against my Raiders.   Cassel played his heart out for Josh McDipshit last year but now comes to a team searching for an identity on offense.  In terms of weapons Cassel has some but not an overabundance.  WR Dwayne Bowe is entering his 3 year and should be a star.  Bowe will unequivocally be Cassel's number one target especially after the departure of TE Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta.  Gonzalez leaving is a huge loss for the Chiefs and especially Cassel as the young QB certainly would have looked the veterans way often.  Cassel does have Haley grooming him but all in all I wouldn't stake your fantasy teams chances on him this year.  He is a decent option for a number 2 QB but far too many questions surround him to be considered a solid number 1 fantasy QB on a week to week basis.

The Chiefs running game has historically been the teams strength with Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson each having had monster seasons for the club. Holmes is long gone, Johnson appears to be back in '09 but will turn 30 and appears to be past his prime. I know this because I actually utilized my 2nd pick on LJ thinking that he was still a good value at that time.  Things never really panned out for him in '09 on account of several variables including playing on a terrible offense and sustaining numerous off the field issues which culminated in a suspension.  Johnson finished the year rushing for 874 yds and 5 TD's.  Johnson at times showed flashes of his former self namely the week 4 game against Denver when he galloped for 198 yards and 2 scores but it was mostly disappointment for the former Penn St. product and the owners who drafted him.  Johnson stated all year and most of the off season that he wanted out of KC but seemed to change his tune once Piloi andHaley came aboard.  Honestly, I don't really know what to think of LJ heading into 2009.  I don't think he is quite done yet as he sat behind the aforementioned Holmes for several years before finally getting his chance.  Furthermore, the Chiefs really don't have much in the way of backups behind LJ with Jamal Charles and Kolby Smith andneither are going to embed fear into defenses.  Right now, I view LJ as a nice number 3 RB or a Flex option with the potential to climb to a number 2 option.  I think LJ has some upside this year especially if you can get him in the round 5 -6 range which is where he has been predominately going in the mock drafts I have been participating in.  I think the off field issues and resulting poor season humbled Johnson and I look for him to bounce back a little bit.  Some people are comparing him to LT but there is no comparison as LT has had way more career carries than Johnson and because of that might be closer to the end.  Just be safe with LJ.  Don't reach for him too high andifyou get him make sure to handcuff him with Charles with a late round pick for insurance. Smith has no draft value at press time.

WR Bowe appears ready for stardom in his 3rd year and could benefit tremendously from Cassel's presence at QB.  Bowe caught 86 passed for 1,022 yds and 7 TD's which represented a slight improvement from his rookie campaign.  There are some receivers who just seem to have it and Bowe appears to be one of those receivers.  The 3rd year pro out of LSU is a great route runner, has excellent hands, and seems to be a good character guy and very coach-able.  Moreover, he is big at 6'2" 221 giving him that ability to win jump balls with defenders.  I look for Bowe to have another solid season as most NFL receivers seem to break out in their 3rd year.  Draft him as a number 2 option but don't be surprised if he performs higher than that with Cassel and Haley now in Kansas City.  Not much else in the way of KC receivers regarding fantasy potential.  As mentioned, legendary Chief Gonzalez is now an Atlanta Falcon leaving KC with virtually nobody at the TE position and Mark Bradley and Bobby Engram represent nothing more than stop gap emergency options for your fantasy squad.  In summary, look for Bowe to breakout statistically under Haley but avoid all other Chief receivers. 

The Chiefs have been dreadful the last few years on defense but I am thinking that should start to change this year especially if Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson play the way they are capable of playing.  Picking Jackson over Aaron Curry is a stretch if you ask me and the Chiefs made that selection solely based on the defensive scheme that they play.  Look for the Chiefs to be improved defensively this year but there are far better options available in terms of consistent DST production.  Rookie Ryan Succop and Connor Barth will battle for the kicking job during training camp. That concludes my examination of the Chiefs fantasy prospects heading into 2009. Next up: The San Diego Chargers.