Kansas City Chiefs
This is the Patrick Mahomes show. Whether you are win-now or going through a production struggle there are assets galore to own in this team. The team sits at 7-1 and are coasting towards another conference and likely divisional title. My only concern with this offense would be that come Week 16, they’ll shut down elements of it to prepare for the playoffs and avoid injury. Mahomes (QB2), Kelce (TE1), Hill (WR2), and Hardman (WR32) are all startable week-in-week-out. The only question here comes from Mahomes’ teammates in the backfield.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire has underwhelmed as have all the rookie running backs in 2020. Add into that the issue of one Le’Veon Bell being present and teams that are relying on CEH for a run at a title may be forgiven for being concerned. The question that teams in first through third have to decide is: what matters more… shiny assets for the future or winning a chip?
Las Vegas Raiders
Derek Carr has shown up in a big way in 2020 on the field. The team sits second in the division behind KC and is one win out of a Wild Card spot. Carr has looked every bit the player that up until this season has more career MVP votes than Russell Wilson. He is a safe floor, but exceptionally low ceiling, QB and should be used as a QB3 in Superflex or waiver wire add in 1QB leagues. However, the success on the field hasn’t transferred to the fantasy gridiron.
Darren Waller and Josh Jacobs are exceptions to the rule. Waller could see himself finish as high as TE2 this season with George Kittle now out for the year. Waller is contracted through 2023 and for teams looking for a high-end TE in the Kittle or Kelce grouping, but not wanting to pay top tier premium, he is your man. Josh Jacobs sits as the RB11 on the season and unfortunately still isn’t seeing the PPR volume many of us thought he would get. He has exceeded four targets one week out of the season thus far and only twice in his career. But if the offensive line can hold up through the stretch, any RB having 31 attempts in a game is worth owning. Jacobs is currently sitting at 3.5 yards per attempt and one of two things is likely to happen; he will either breakout soon or he will be given a break.
At receiver, we are still waiting on the rookies to show up. The ghost of Nelson Agholor sits as their best fantasy asset at WR51. This may be your chance to strike and buy some Henry Ruggs or Bryan Edwards shares, but keep in mind as long as Derek Carr is under center you might be waiting for the breakout.
Denver Broncos
Welcome to 2020’s version of the 2019 Browns. Preseason, this was hyped as the team that could challenge the Chiefs in a track meet with Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Noah Fant set to go up against the likes of Kelce, Hill, Hardman. But it hasn’t been so. Drew Lock has just one game above 20 fantasy points this season and has thrown multiple interceptions in two of his last three starts. If you own Lock and you’re not a contender look to sell as there is every chance that the team looks to move on with a roster that is built to compete now.
With Courtland Sutton out for the season with an injury, Jeudy and Fant were meant to feast. Unfortunately, sub-par QB play has meant that Tim Patrick sits as their best fantasy WR at WR42. Noah Fant has been productive sitting at TE12 but has been boom or bust with two games above 15 points and two below seven. Consistency at QB may help these guys moving forward but once again I would be looking at a buy-low opportunity for the pass catchers in Denver. The running backs have been productive but unspectacular. They sit as RB2s at best but should be seen as depth pieces down the stretch.
Los Angles Chargers
Well, this is the Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen show. Allen sits at WR13 on the season and the rookie QB is lighting up the NFL. Owners should still have some concern about his long-term future as there is a lot of Josh Allen about his game, but yet again a QB being taken in the late first of our Superflex fantasy drafts has lit up the NFL in a big way. The team is struggling, sitting in last place in the division but it does look like they have their QB of the future. Austin Ekeler will be back while Joshua Kelley has been underwhelming filling in.
Mike Williams is now firmly a sell for whatever you can get and I would even be looking to ship off Hunter Henry if I could get to one of the higher-rated tight ends. Maybe a deal for Kittle could be on the cards for a team committed to winning now? There is plenty to like in the division moving forward but unfortunately for what was seen as one of the most fantasy-rich divisions in football moving into the season but it has underperformed greatly to the midpoint of the season.
Thanks for reading! Reach out to me on Twitter @markbullishere with any fantasy questions.
