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LeSean McCoy released, signs with Kansas City Chiefs: Fantasy context

By Raju Byfield

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 26: Running back LeSean McCoy #25 of the Buffalo Bills leaps over inside linebacker Derrick Johnson #56 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at Arrowhead Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 26: Running back LeSean McCoy #25 of the Buffalo Bills leaps over inside linebacker Derrick Johnson #56 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at Arrowhead Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 29: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs walks across the field before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 29, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 29: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs walks across the field before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 29, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

LeSean McCoy released, signs with Kansas City Chiefs: Fantasy context

Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Mahomes stands to benefit from the addition of LeSean McCoy. McCoy’s addition to the running back room means the Chiefs now have a proven talent to lean on out of the backfield. Damien Williams looked good in his limited opportunity as a starter, but is far too unproven. The Chiefs have gone from one of the most unproven backfields in the NFL to one that boasts a former All-Pro. Regardless of who starts or gets more touches out of the backfield, opposing defenses will be forced to respect the run or pay the price. This should help the mobile Mahomes have a higher average time to throw than he would have had prior to McCoy’s signing. Mahomes is still the QB1 in fantasy football.

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Tyreek Hill

Tyreek Hill is relatively unaffected by this news. The Chiefs scheme Hill open well enough that he was not going to see a major statistical dip with a full season of a Damien Williams or Darwin Thompson led backfield. Hill remains locked and loaded as a sure fire WR1 with top five receiver upside.

Sammy Watkins/Mecole Hardman

Sammy Watkins and Mecole Hardman take a mini hit to their weekly floors with LeSean McCoy being added to the team. The addition of McCoy ensures that the Chiefs will have a respectable run game, something that could not have been said prior to his signing. Watkins should still see a major bump in his production in his second year with Patrick Mahomes.

Watkins finished as a WR3 or better in his final full three games with Mahomes in 2018. He saw seven targets, hauled in 5.6 receptions and averaged 81 receiving yards per game and 0.66 touchdowns. If Watkins could play at that pace for an entire season his extrapolated numbers would amount to 90 receptions, 1,296 yards and 10 touchdowns. Watkins is a WR3 with WR2 upside.

Travis Kelce

Travis Kelce, much like Tyreek Hill is relatively unaffected by this news. Opposing defenses will have to respect the run which means Kelce may see fewer tight window targets. However, his projected volume and production remain unchanged by the addition of LeSean McCoy. A bonafide threat in the backfield will only help the Chiefs top two targets.

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