FANTASY ANALYSIS: Kansas City Chiefs

Simply put, the Kansas City Chiefs suck. Last year we watched as the fool's Cassel came tumbling down. Matt Cassel proved two irrefutable facts last year. One: That anyone can look like a good quarterback when you're throwing to uber-receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker behind an offensive line made of stone. Two: That some idiot out there is desperate/stupid enough to overtrade and overpay such a fluke of a quarterback. Alas, all hope is not lost for the Chiefs offense this year however.

Behold Jamaal Charles. He's my pick for a player to make the biggest Chris Johnson type leap this year. Over the last 8 games of the season, he averaged (over fairly consistent production) over 100 yards and 1 TD per game. Consider the fact that he only received 6 carries or fewer over the first 8 games. Also consider that the Chiefs won 3 of their total 4 wins... during the last 8 games of the season. Even with the addition of Thomas Jones, only a fool can ignore the fact that "giving the ball to Jamaal gives you the greatest chance to win." Jones will poach goal-line carries, but he's going to have to break down eventually (especially behind an inferior offensive line than what he had in New York). He's only 24 as well, so he's a strong pick in keeper/dynasty drafts.

- Projections: 1,450 rushing yards, 7 rushing TDs, 45 receptions, 325 receiving yards, and 2 receiving TDs with the upside for even more.

Thomas Jones might see some value if picked later in the draft. He'll be 32 this year, two years after the runningback deathmark. His carries will drop significantly from the load he was receiving with the Jets, but he will still be the team's short yardage back, and work in to spell Charles. He's not a bad 4th runningback for your fantasy squad and has a strong chance to score any week.

- Projections: 600 rushing yards, 10 rushing TDs with irrelevant receiving totals.

As I proclaimed before, the KC aerial attack will struggle mightily this season, even with Chris Chambers acclimation to the offense and all-purpose rookie Dexter McCluster. Stay away from Cassel as anything but a 2nd quarterback in deep leagues. Chris Chambers doesn't posses the elite speed he once had to make up for his small stature. Dwayne Bowe was a one-year fluke and doesn't have the commitment to stay out of Todd Haley's doghouse. He will not justify how high he is being selected in drafts, so stay away. The only player with much upside in the passing game is RB/WR McCluster, but he likely won't become fantasy relevant until the next year or so.

On the defensive side of the ball, Kansas City has some upside for a couple of their secondary players: Eric Berry and Brandon Flowers. Flowers is the safer bet; at the cornerback position, he puts up a respectable number of tackles each season (roughly 60 solo tackles each year), and he hauled in 5 interceptions last year. He's only 24 so look for him to keep improving.

- Projections: 60 solo tackles, 7 assisted tackles, 6 INTs, 2 forced fumbles, 21 passes defended.

Eric Berry is a rookie, but more NFL-ready than any safety in recent memory. Although there is such a limited body of work to reference, he has the ability to make tackles and be a game changer with the ball in the air. These skills should extrapolate to a high tackle, respectable turnover totaled season.

- Projections: 75 solo tackles, 15 assisted tackles, 5 INTs, 3 forced fumbles, 15 passes defended.

TEAM PREVIEW: Kansas City Chiefs

4-12 in 2009

I thought the Chiefs had a great draft in 2010, where they addressed some major areas of need in taking; Eric Berry, Dexter McCluster, and Javier Arenas, in the first 2 rounds. I think they are getting better but the biggest problem could be at QB, I am not yet sold on Matt Cassel as a starter who can take his team to the playoffs.

On the offensive side of the ball the Chiefs can be in for a year of mediocrity, or explode with some of the players they have. Jamaal Charles came on late last year and showed some speed and strength the Chiefs were lacking last year. The addition of McCluster is interesting because he is listed at WR. This leads me to believe Todd Haley wants to use him as a flex back, moving him around the formations in order for him to have open space to work with. If used effectively Charles and McCluster could become a pretty formidable duo no matter where on the field they line up. Dwayne Bowe needs to show that he can be a top-flight WR similar to that of 2007 and 2008 and that last season was a fluke. Keep an eye on him as this could be where he can make or break the rest of his career. Than there is Matt Cassel. Got a huge payday all on one years work with the Patriots, after Tom Brady went down with a knee injury. He has the size and the arm to be effective in the NFL but he needs to make smarter throws. If Bowe can step up and Charles and McCluster have big years, Cassel could be the reason. He needs to prove that a lifetime backup is worth $10.5 million a year, good luck!

The Chiefs defense saw immediate upgrades when the team drafted Eric Berry and Javier Arenas. Both are great ball players and of any safety in the draft, none have a nose for the football like Berry (14 in 3 years at Tennessee). The rest of the defense could be on the upswing as well, but much of the success this year will hinge on the play of Glen Dorsey and Tyson Jackson. Neither has shown much in their first few years in the league and they must step up their play to make this defense better. As many football fans know, your back 7 or 8 is only as good as your defensive line. The linebackers are good enough with Derrick Johnson manning the middle and the secondary should keep getting better as the year goes on.

The Chiefs schedule is an up and down one. Some tough games (Chargers twice), some toss ups (Raiders and Broncos twice), and some easier games (Bills, Seahawks and Rams). Tough to predict based on some teams improving and others it is tough to tell. The three key players who can turn the tide of the season one way or the other are; Cassel, Dorsey, and Jackson.

-Prediction: 6-10 in 2010 (could get to 7-9 with a win against the Jags in Arrowhead, who will be coming off a Monday night game vs. the Titans)