Kansas City Chiefs 2009 fantasy football outlook

Chiefs top fantasy option Dwayne Bowe (T.Olmscheid/AP)

With a little less than two weeks left in the preseason, most fantasy football leagues are getting ready to hold their drafts. To help, here is my first of weekly articles focusing on the Kansas City Chiefs fantasy players.

Today is my overall outlook for the team, and let me tell you – it’s a loooong way from the highlights of the 2003 season when the Chiefs were fantasy gods!

QUARTERBACK: The Chiefs made a trade for New England Patriots back-up QB, Matt Cassel during the off season and then paid him more than $60 million dollars with a new contract. Now this is his team. Don't expect miracles out of Cassel this season. The right side of his offensive line is a sieve and he'll be on the run a lot. He is definitely worth drafting, but only as a back-up fantasy QB with potential upside.

2009 Projection: 3,200 yards 19 touchdowns, 21 interceptions.

RUNNING BACKS: The problems with the O-line will definitely affect the Chiefs running game. Larry Johnson is, at best, a low-end #2 fantasy back who will be the #1 option for the team. Johnson is really the only Chiefs RB that should be drafted in your fantasy league.

Jamaal Charles has a chance to be the 3rd down back but has had fumbling problems in camp. If he doesn't fix that, he won't see the field. Draft Charles with extreme caution. Jackie Battle has looked good during the preseason, but unless LJ gets hurt, he won't see enough playing time to be worth drafting.

2009 Projections: Johnson - 1,200 yards, 10 touchdowns. Charles - 400 yards, 4 touchdowns.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Well, this is easy. Dwayne Bowe is the only receiver worth drafting and should respond with a good year. He'll be a pretty good low-end #1 fantasy receiver and an outstanding #2.   Veterans Amani Toomer, Mark Bradley and Bobby Engram haven't separated themselves from a host of back-up receivers that won't ever get drafted.  Don't make any of them more than a #4 fantasy receiver for your team.  They could be decent bye week starters.

2009 Projection: Bowe - 80 catches, 1,150 yards, 9 touchdowns.  Toomer, Bradley and Engram - 25 to 30 catches each, 500 yards, 2-4 touchdowns.

TIGHT ENDS: Wow ... for the first time in 12 years, I am NOT recommending drafting a Chiefs tight end early in your draft. In fact, you can avoid Chiefs tight ends altogether. Brad Cottam is more of a blocker than receiver. Jake O'Connell is a rookie out of Miami (Ohio) that possibly could get 20-25 catches this year. Do not draft him, but keep an eye out for a potential waiver wire move later this year.  Just remember that Todd Haley has never featured a ton of work towards the tight ends and our ex-future Hall-of-Famer (Tony Gonzalez) now plays in Atlanta.

PLACE KICKER: Ryan Succop is a rookie kicker that is showing a very strong leg in preseason. I’m a strong proponent of never drafting any kicker before the final two rounds of a draft. He'll have a similar season to 20 other mid-level kickers in the league.

2009 Projection: 25 field goals, 38 extra points.

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS: The Chiefs are switching to a hybrid 3-4 defensive scheme and are lacking in playmaking talent. I have a weird feeling that they will be a lot better than most fans think, but it’s not like they’re going to magically transform into the 1985 Bears. Avoid them in any league using any scoring format.

Special teams, outside of our two kickers, will be forgettable. Don’t even expect performances in the upper half of the NFL.

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