LeSean McCoy released, signs with Kansas City Chiefs: Fantasy context
By Raju Byfield
LeSean McCoy released, signs with Kansas City Chiefs: Fantasy context
Damien Williams
Damien Williams is the biggest loser of this signing. He was projected by many to lead the Chiefs backfield in touches, but just watched his head coach dole out more guaranteed money over one year to McCoy than Williams received for two years. Williams collected all of his guaranteed money last year and will see just $1.2 million this season as his signing bonus (also his full guarantee) was paid last season when he signed his new deal.
Williams still projects as a flex or flex2, but now has a massive weekly floor. There are scenarios where McCoy proves ineffective making Williams the starter, so he is still a worthy target in the middle rounds. Those who have already drafted Williams early in drafts should knock down the door of McCoy’s current owner in hopes that they are of the contingent who still believe Damien will be the Chiefs starter. A high risk, high reward fantasy option those in redraft league should kick the tires and attempt to buy low on a player who could potentially emerge as the lead back by week four or five.
Darwin Thompson
Darwin Thompson sees his fantasy stock take a major hit with this news. He has gone from arguably being the most talented running back on the Chiefs roster and someone who was bound to end up leading the backfield in touches to someone who will see on average less than 10 touches per contest.
He still has salivating upside in an offense that has shown it can coax near elite-level production from replacement level running backs, but is firmly behind LeSean McCoy for the foreseeable future. Thompson owners will be hoping McCoy is as bad as he was in 2018. However, he is now more of an upside depth piece than someone you can plan on starting at times throughout the season.
He has RB3 upside if McCoy or Damien Williams were to miss time, but is now looking like a career committee member as opposed to someone who could lock up the starting job in 2019 and beyond with continued strong play. There will be weeks where he sees more touches than Damien, but will likely be stuck behind McCoy in the pecking order for the entirety of the fantasy football season.