Kansas City Chiefs News

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Xavier Worthy • WR • Chiefs

Chiefs Limited Xavier Worthy's Usage After Injury Last Year

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told The Athletic's Jesse Newell at last month's annual NFL meeting that the team limited wide receiver Xavier Worthy's (shoulder) routes last year to protect him after his labrum injury in Week 1. "I would tell you that we kind of, after that, we were afraid to do certain things with (Worthy)," Reid said. "So I think him coming back healthy, I think opens up that whole picture you saw during training camp, where he had a whole bunch of different routes in there." The 23-year-old former first-rounder and speed threat took a step back in Year 2 in 2025, catching just 42 of 73 targets for 532 yards and one touchdown in 14 games after putting up a 59-638-6 line in 17 regular-season games as a rookie in 2024. Worthy's shoulder injury never allowed him to reach his true ceiling in his sophomore campaign, and he never went over 85 receiving yards in a single game. With a full route tree again in 2026, Worthy will have bounce-back potential, but his slight frame (5-foot-11, 165 pounds) will continue to leave him vulnerable to injuries. He's currently ranked as the No. 52 fantasy wideout at RotoBaller, but he'll have bounce-back potential in Year 3 if he can stay healthy.

2 days ago

Rashee Rice • WR • Chiefs

Chiefs Not Ready to Discuss Extension With Rashee Rice?

The Athletic's Jesse Newell suggests that wide receiver Rashee Rice needs to prove himself more both on and off the field before the Kansas City Chiefs realistically consider approaching him about a long-term contract extension. Newell writes that there is "a long way to go between that potential reality and where things sit now." The 26-year-old former second-rounder (55th overall) in 2023 out of SMU is in the final year of his rookie deal in 2026, but he needs to "prove he can go a calendar year without ending up in negative offseason headlines." Rice has played in just 12 regular-season games since the start of 2024 due to suspensions after posting a 79-938-7 line in 16 games in his rookie campaign with KC. Despite his off-the-field issues, Rice is clearly the Chiefs' WR1 going into the upcoming season, and he should be treated as a WR1 in fantasy football as well. In just eight starts in 2025, he caught 53 of his 78 targets for 571 yards and five touchdowns, and he's scored 14 times in his 28 NFL games over his first three seasons. Rice's after-the-catch abilities are as good as any wideout in the league.

2 days ago

Kenneth Walker III • RB • Chiefs

Kenneth Walker III Could be More Involved as Pass-Catcher With Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III suggested on Up & Adams that he could be used more as a receiver with his new team in 2026. The MVP of Super Bowl LX while with the Seattle Seahawks has been spending time with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) this offseason and is preparing for an expanded role as a pass-catching RB. "We've been working on getting connected in the passing game and everything, so that's good," Walker told Kay Adams. "I feel like I'll be used more in the pass game." Walker averaged fewer than 40 catches and 300 yards receiving per season over his four years with the Seahawks. He was most involved as a pass-catcher in 2024, catching 46 passes on 53 targets, but it came with just 299 receiving yards, and he has only two receiving scores in his career. In the last five years, the Chiefs have featured three different RBs with at least 40 catches in a season, and in two of those seasons, Eric Bieniemy was the offensive coordinator. The move to KC is a definite boost for Walker's fantasy value in redraft and dynasty leagues, and RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 10 overall RB for the 2026 season.

4 days ago

Travis Kelce • TE • Chiefs

Travis Kelce's Dynasty Value Fading Entering 2026

Despite some speculation that he might retire at the end of the 2025 season, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce remains atop his team's depth chart heading into 2026. The 36-year-old is no longer the player he once was at his peak, but he still turned in a productive season with 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns on 108 targets across 17 games in 2025. Kelce's fantasy value is closely tied to the health of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee), who is currently making his way back from knee surgery. Mahomes is expected to participate in OTAs, which could mean he's on track to be fully healthy by Week 1 of 2026. As long as he has his quarterback, Kelce looks like a good bet to put together another top-12 tight end season in PPR-scoring fantasy leagues. His uncertain future beyond 2026 limits his dynasty upside, but Kelce remains an appealing win-now option at the tight end position.

5 days ago

Emmett Johnson • RB • Chiefs

Andy Reid Compares Emmett Johnson to LeSean McCoy

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has compared rookie fifth-round running back Emmett Johnson to former six-time Pro Bowl RB LeSean McCoy, according to Grant Gordon of NFL.com. Reid believes Johnson can contribute on the ground, as a pass-catcher, and on special teams. "First of all, he's got a good feel for things, a smart kid, good kid. He's got that lateral quickness. We had LeSean McCoy here for a bit, and he has a little bit of that to him, where he can shift gears and still get himself up the field quickly," said Reid, who coached McCoy with the Philadelphia Eagles and for a season with the Chiefs. Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco are both gone, but the Chiefs added Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, Emari Demercado, and Johnson to a RB room that still includes Brashard Smith. Johnson was the sixth RB off the board in the 2026 NFL draft, but he was first in the FBS in 2025 with 151.8 all-purpose yards per game. He also had a career-high 1,451 rushing yards and 370 receiving yards at Nebraska last year. Because of his three-down skill set, if anything were to happen to Walker, who has a history of lower-body injuries, Johnson could benefit right away in 2026. Consider the 22-year-old a dynasty sleeper and a handcuff to Walker in single-year fantasy leagues.

5 days ago

Patrick Mahomes • QB • Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes Expected to Participate in OTAs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) is on track to participate in the team's first voluntary offseason practices, as reported by ESPN's Nate Taylor. Less than five months after tearing his ACL and LCL in a Week 15 loss to the Chargers, head coach Andy Reid told reporters on Saturday that Mahomes is on track to participate with his teammates, even if in a limited capacity. Kansas City's first three OTA sessions are scheduled for May 26-28, and Mahomes' expected participation is a great sign for his availability for the 2026 season opener. Mahomes is RotoBaller's QB13 ahead of his 10th year in the NFL, and his status to begin the season will affect the fantasy values of Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce, Kenneth Walker III, and the rest of the Chiefs' offense, so his level of participation is worth monitoring when the team gathers at the end of the month.

7 days ago

Emmett Johnson • RB • Chiefs

Chiefs "Super High" on Emmett Johnson

The Kansas City Chiefs were "super high" on former Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson before selecting him in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL draft, and vice president of player personnel Ryne Nutt said the team was surprised he was still available in the fifth round when they traded up to take him. Johnson was the only player in college football to average more than 150 scrimmage yards per game last year, and he led the Big 10 with 1,451 rushing yards and finished second among all RBs in catches (46) while also scoring 15 touchdowns. He was graded as high as a third-round pick by some analysts. "He's a juke button, he has very good feet, vision, feel, and he's very good out of the backfield," Nutt described. The Chiefs lost Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt in free agency, but they signed former Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III. Johnson is projected to be the immediate backup to Walker in the lead-back role, and Arrowhead Pride's Ron Kopp Jr. doesn't think we should be surprised if he earns his way onto the field on passing downs. At the very least, Johnson will be a handcuff option as a late-round flier in fantasy football redraft leagues in 2026.

Apr 30

Brashard Smith • RB • Chiefs

Brashard Smith Facing an Uphill Battle for Playing Time in Kansas City

A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith earned some preseason buzz as a potential sleeper candidate to take over his team's backfield. However, despite the Chiefs getting middling production from the veteran tandem of Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco for much of the year, Smith was never able to carve out a consistent role. He finished the season with 323 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 69 touches, with 14 of those touches coming in a meaningless Week 18 game. Kansas City overhauled its backfield over the offseason, signing running backs Kenneth Walker III and Emari Demercado in free agency, and using a fifth-round pick on Nebraska back Emmett Johnson in the 2026 Draft. Walker III should dominate touches when healthy, leaving Smith in a three-way fight for the primary backup role. While Smith's receiving ability helps his chances, his pathway to regular playing time with the Chiefs looks significantly more challenging heading into 2026 than it did in 2025.

Apr 27

Rashee Rice • WR • Chiefs

Can Rashee Rice Put Together a Full Season of Production in 2026?

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice missed the first six games of the 2025 season due to a league suspension, and the final three due to a concussion. Across the eight games where he was on the field, the 26-year-old recorded 53 receptions for 571 yards and five touchdowns on 78 targets. Rice has now played just 12 games over the past two seasons and enters 2026 in need of a productive year without injury or off-field incidents standing in his way. As long as he's active, Rice profiles as the number one target in the Chiefs' passing game and carries significant fantasy upside, particularly in PPR-scoring formats. Kansas City added University of Cincinnati wide receiver Cyrus Allen in the fifth round of the 2026 draft and retains veteran tight end Travis Kelce, but Rice remains the team's most talented receiving option. While Rice's dynasty value is currently colored by his recent struggles to stay on the field, his production ceiling remains sky-high.

Apr 27

Justin Fields • QB • Chiefs

Could Dynasty Managers See One More Sell Window for Justin Fields?

The Kansas City Chiefs sent a 2027 sixth-round pick to the New York Jets to acquire quarterback Justin Fields at the start of the league year, and the former first-round pick could be the team's Week 1 starter if Patrick Mahomes is not yet fully recovered from the ACL tear that cost him the final three weeks of the 2025 season. Now playing for his fourth team in as many years, Fields has been a massive disappointment by NFL standards, but his rushing upside has made him a legitimate fantasy week-winner at almost every stop. With one year remaining on the $40 million deal he signed with the Jets, what he's able to show in relief of Mahomes becomes all the more significant before hitting the open market again in 2027. For dynasty managers who have held Fields this long, the opening weeks of the season could be the final chance to recoup anything of value for RotoBaller's QB35.

Apr 27

Xavier Worthy • WR • Chiefs

Xavier Worthy a Buy-Low Candidate for Dynasty Managers Following NFL Draft?

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy turned in an underwhelming season in 2025, recording 42 receptions for 532 yards and a touchdown on 73 targets across 14 games. Despite abundant target-earning opportunities in Kansas City for much of the season, Worthy's numbers fell across the board from his rookie year in 2024. Due to his poor performance, Worthy's dynasty value is declining heading into 2026. However, the Chiefs have yet to make notable changes to their pass-catching group this offseason. Kansas City used a fifth-round pick on University of Cincinnati wide receiver Cyrus Allen, but he's unlikely to play a significant role as a rookie. As a result, Worthy should have plenty of chances to put together a bounce-back campaign in 2026. While Worthy's NFL production to this point does not inspire a ton of confidence, dynasty managers may want to consider buying low on him given his expected role in Kansas City.

Apr 26

Garrett Nussmeier • QB • Chiefs

Chiefs Draft Garrett Nussmeier With 249th Overall Pick

The Kansas City Chiefs have selected LSU quarterback prospect Garrett Nussmeier with the 249th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Nussmeier was widely projected as a Day 2 pick throughout the offseason, so to see him still on the board within the final 10 selections was quite surprising. He racked up 4,052 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 2024, but his statistics regressed in 2025 as he was limited to just nine games. In addition to the stats, part of the reason for his late selection was a medical concern that emerged in the pre-draft process, as Nussmeier was diagnosed with a spinal cyst pressing on a nerve. His tumble down the draft board ultimately ends with the Chiefs, who will bring him in as a developmental depth option. Patrick Mahomes II (knee) might not be ready for Week 1, so while Justin Fields is the early favorite to start the season opener, Nussmeier could have a small chance to go in and compete with the former Jets signal caller.

Apr 25

Cyrus Allen • WR • Chiefs

Chiefs Select Cyrus Allen With 176th Pick

The Kansas City Chiefs have selected Cincinnati wide receiver Cyrus Allen with the 176th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Allen began his collegiate career at Louisiana Tech before transferring to Texas A&M and then to Cincinnati. In his lone season with the Bearcats, he led the team with 49 receptions, 661 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Allen is an undersized slot receiver who wins with quickness, and he was one of the standouts at this year's Senior Bowl. In Kansas City, he joins a receiver room with a lot of overlapping skillsets, which could make it hard for him to find the field in any meaningful way as a rookie.

Apr 25

Emmett Johnson • RB • Chiefs

Chiefs Bolster Backfield With Emmett Johnson in the Fifth Round

The Kansas City Chiefs have selected Nebraska running back prospect Emmett Johnson with the 161st overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Johnson was widely regarded as one of the top running backs available on Day 3, mostly because of his ability to join any system and take on an immediate role in the passing game. He had 46 catches, 370 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns at school last year, so we wouldn't be surprised if he consistently gets onto the field on third down. There's significant receiving upside here, but Johnson is a proven ball-carrier, too. He led the Big 10 in carries (251) and rushing yards (1,451) last year. With that said, the Chiefs signed Kenneth Walker III to a large contract this offseason, so Johnson's short-term ceiling on early downs is likely a change-of-pace back. Most of his short-term value will come in PPR leagues, as he might be able to carve out a steady receiving role on third downs.

Apr 25

Peter Woods • DT • Chiefs

Peter Woods Selected 29th Overall by Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have selected Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods with the 29th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Across 12 games as a junior at Clemson in 2025, Woods recorded 10 solo tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and two sacks. The 21-year-old is known as an explosive athlete who excels at getting into the backfield and disrupting plays. He needs to show more consistency as both a run defender and a pass rusher, but Woods profiles as a high-upside player for the Chiefs to mold for the future. With star Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones entering his age-32 season in 2026, Woods could be part of the team's eventual succession plan on the interior of their defensive line.

Apr 23

Mansoor Delane • CB • Chiefs

Chiefs Trade Up to Select Mansoor Delane With Sixth Overall Selection

The Kansas City Chiefs have traded up to the No. 6 overall pick to select LSU defensive back Mansoor Delane. The Browns initially held this pick at the start of the draft. Delane began his college career with Virginia Tech for three seasons before moving to LSU for his final campaign. With the Tigers, Delane enjoyed the best season of his collegiate career, being named a consensus All-American and posting the lowest passer rating allowed in the entire SEC. Across 11 games, he logged 26 solo tackles with 45 combined tackles and two interceptions. With Virginia Tech, across three seasons (33 games), Delane logged 82 solo tackles with six interceptions. Scouts viewed Delane as one of the top defensive back prospects in this year's class. Per reports, Delane is known for having a consistent technique in his coverage and brings much experience, given that he spent four seasons in college. He will join a Kansas City defense that allowed just 19.1 PPG last season and 195.8 passing yards per game.

Apr 23

KC Concepcion • WR • Chiefs

Is KC Concepcion One of the Highest Value Picks in Dynasty Rookie Drafts?

Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion may profile as a slot-only player to begin his NFL career, but he has both the size and versatility to play across the formation and the game-breaking ability to reward any coach who gets the ball into his hands. With several receiver-needy teams picking at the tail end of the first round, it seems unlikely he will get through Thursday night of the NFL Draft without hearing his name called, and if paired with the right playcaller, he should waste no time in finding the field in a meaningful way. Concepcion is currently slotting in around pick five through seven in single-quarterback dynasty rookie drafts, and without having to spend a top-of-the-board pick on him, his return on investment could be clear and immediate. Concepcion is RotoBaller's dynasty WR37, but the right landing spot could lead to one of the bigger post-draft spikes in the class.

Apr 23

Emmett Johnson • RB • Chiefs

Can Emmett Johnson Sneak into First Round of Rookie Drafts?

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson could be the second or third back to hear his name called in the NFL Draft, but he could just as easily slip into the fantasy wasteland of a Day 3 selection. Such is the nature of a running back class with no true difference makers outside of Jeremiyah Love. When and where the amorphous grouping of second and third-tier backs comes off the board will come down to what type of player each NFL team is looking for, but where Johnson stands out is that his pass-catching ability should make him attractive to any number of franchises. Johnson led all Power 4 running backs with 46 receptions in 2025, on a 15.1% target share, and he could immediately find a role as a dedicated pass catcher in an NFL offense. With so many running backs clustered together, landing spot is going to affect dynasty draft boards more than any year in recent history, but Johnson currently sits as RotoBaller's rookie RB4, and he has as strong a claim as anyone to slip into the tail end of the first round in most rookie drafts.

Apr 21

Patrick Mahomes • QB • Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes Present for Start of Team's Offseason Program

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee), who is recovering from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee that he suffered in the Dec. 14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, was present for the start of the team's offseason program on Monday, according to Dave Skretta of The Associated Press. "So he goes to the meetings. He can lift, do all that. Rehab. That's the phase he's in right now," head coach Andy Reid said. "We'll just see. Kind of play it by ear. See where he's at. He's doing great, but we've just got to be smart with this thing." The goal continues to be for the two-time MVP to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season in early September. We'll continue to monitor Mahomes' progress and how much he's able to do on the field as the team's offseason program progresses. The Chiefs now have Justin Fields as QB insurance in case Mahomes isn't ready for Week 1. Mahomes should still be considered a QB1 in fantasy, but coming off his serious knee injury, he might carry the most risk he has ever had going into an NFL season.

Apr 20

KC Concepcion • WR • Chiefs

K.C. Concepcion a Top-Five Rookie Wideout for Dynasty Managers?

Texas A&M wide receiver K.C. Concepcion is considered to be one of the better prospects at his position in the 2026 draft class and has a chance to hear his name called as early as the end of the first round later this week. Across 13 games for the Aggies in 2025, the 21-year-old recorded 61 receptions for 919 yards and nine touchdowns. Concepcion is known as an elusive route-runner in the short and intermediate areas of the field who is difficult to tackle in open space. However, he's undersized at 5'11" and 196 lbs., which leads to some questions about his ability to produce at the catch point in the NFL. Still, Concepcion's strengths make him an intriguing dynasty prospect. Depending on where he ends up being drafted, Concepcion could make an immediate impact in the NFL and offers some long-term upside as well. RotoBaller currently ranks Concepcion as the fifth-best wide receiver in the first-year player pool.

Apr 20

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