Five Potential Fantasy Football Sleepers From The Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs offense had a rough year in 2011 due to their numerous injuries at key positions, but with the return of players such as Jamaal Charles, Mat Cassel, and Tony Moeaki, the Chiefs offense should be much improved in 2012, as should the team’s fantasy numbers.
The Chiefs have added plenty of much needed depth on both offense and defense, but particularly on the offensive side of the ball and because of that Kansas City is a good team to look to when trying to find your fantasy sleepers this season.
Here are five Chiefs who many people are sleeping on, but that could be big time low-risk, high-reward picks in your fantasy football draft.
1. Tony Moeaki – Moeaki is a forgotten man at tight end because of his season-ending injury in the final preseason game last year, but if Moeaki manages to stay healthy (and that’s been a big if during his football career), he could represent very good value as a guy who isn’t even ranked among the top 30 tight ends in the league by ESPN.com.
2. Matt Cassel – Your eyes are not deceiving you…I do indeed have Cassel listed as a fantasy sleeper because no one is expecting him to do anything this year and he is going undrafted in most fantasy leagues. The reward likely will not be substantial, but there is absolutely zero risk in taking Cassel. Obviously you want him to start the season as your backup but he could provide good depth and a solid spot start when needed if he can revert to his 2010 form (which I believe he will, and he may even exceed what he did in 2010).
3. Justin Houston – Most fantasy leagues still just use your standard defense and special teams, but more and more leagues these days have individual defensive players as well and if your league has them then Justin Houston would be a good under the radar choice late in your draft. Houston had 5.5 sacks in his final five games last season and now that he will be a starter from the opening week, he could put up double digit sacks this season.
4. Peyton Hillis – With the Madden cover curse behind him and his reunion with former offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Hillis is poised for a big season in 2012. If the first preseason game was any indication, Hillis is going to be a big part of the Kansas City offense this season. Not only should the 26-year-old receive plenty of touches, but he should receive plenty of touches in the red zone and in scoring opportunities. Hillis should be a valuable third or fourth fantasy running back on your team this season.
5. Jon Baldwin – Baldwin is another member of the Chiefs who is on the fringe when it comes to being selected in most fantasy drafts but he should be selected in nearly all fantasy drafts. ESPN.com’s fantasy rankings have Baldwin listed as the 51st best wide receiver available and he is listed below players such Nate Burleson, Reuben Randle, and Darrius Heyward-Bey (behind a Raider? Talk about disrespect). If Dwayne Bowe doesn’t get to camp and get his act together, Baldwin could very well be Matt Cassel’s No. 1 target this season and either way he will very likely be the team’s top red zone target.