In the 16th of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Here are the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Key Off Season Acquisition
The most notable new Kansas City Chief in 2024 is wide receiver Marquise Brown of Hollywood, Florida. This past season with the Arizona Cardinals, Brown had 51 catches for 574 receiving yards and four touchdowns. This was Brown’s second straight year with the Cardinals after three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens from 2019 to 2021.
Fantasy Stars
When it comes to fantasy football, the Chiefs have players ranked in the top 10 in five of the six fantasy football positions. Only at wide receiver are the Chiefs not represented.
At quarterback, three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes of Tyler, Texas is ranked second, only behind Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. In 2023, Mahomes completed 401 passes in 597 attempts for 4183 passing yards, 27 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions. He also had 75 rushes for 389 rushing yards.
At running back, Isiah Pacheco of Vineland, New Jersey is ranked seventh. In 2023, he had 205 rushes for 935 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, along with 44 receptions and 244 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. Pacheco’s touchdown catches came in a 31-17 Chiefs win over the Los Angeles Chargers on October 22, and in a 25-17 Chiefs win over the Cincinnati Bengals on New Year’s Eve.
At tight end, Travis Kelce of Westlake, Ohio, is simply the best tight end in football. Last season he had 93 catches for 984 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
At kicker, Harrison Butker of Decatur, Georgia is ranked second only behind Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens. Last season he made 33 of 35 field goals and all 38 converts.
At defense, the Chiefs are ranked fifth. In 2023, the Chiefs only gave up 294 points. Only the Baltimore Ravens (280 points allowed) gave up fewer points than Kansas City last season.
Projected Finish
The Chiefs have won the last two Super Bowls and will be tough to beat this season. The franchise simply has the “it” factor when it comes to winning, and head coach Andy Reid knows what is required to get the W’s when necessary. As long as the Chiefs have Reid, Kelce and Mahomes, expect a 12 to 13 win season and a deep playoff run.
