Kansas City Chiefs to target on fantasy waiver wire this week

The Kansas City Chiefs did not have a banner night by fantasy football standards. Hopefully, they can change that trajectory against the AFC South's Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday.

There are not many fantasy unknowns on the Chiefs' roster. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce are the team's top-tier fantasy contributors, with many fringe players surrounding them. The running back room's fantasy potential is still hindered by Clyde Edwards-Helaire's confusing usage. The wide receiver corps has no true WR1, especially after Kadarius Toney's struggles in Week 1. Justyn Ross might be in line for more usage, but that is a big jump.

Despite their historic production, the Chiefs feel like a very unreliable fantasy team outside of Mahomes and Kelce. But that might just be me.

Still, I run in deeper leagues, and I noticed there are some Chiefs on the waiver wire that are worth your attention.

1. Rashee Rice

NFL Fantasy rostered: 5.8%

I understand it was just one game, but Rashee Rice's fantasy owners looked very smart in the rookie's NFL debut. Rice caught one of Kansas City's touchdowns, with three catches on five targets for 29 yards—not an amazing game, but still productive fantasy-wise.

There are some nuggets to take away from Week 1, though. First, Mahomes is looking Rice's way when he is on the field for passing plays. Rice only ran a route on 12 offensive plays and still tied for the team lead in targets. Secondly, the Chiefs are getting Rice involved in multiple ways quickly. Whether it be the screen game, routes over the middle, or utilizing his yards-after-catch potential, Reid sees something in Rice. That is worth betting on and picking him up.

2. Jerick McKinnon

NFL Fantasy rostered: 60.1%

Picking up McKinnon is betting on the running back room returning to late 2022 form. Pacheco is fine as the rumbling runner, but McKinnon has more value as a receiving back. The Chiefs kept him on the field in passing situations, with McKinnon running a route on 16 plays against the Lions.

McKinnon is too much of a home-run hitter, in the passing and rushing games alike, for Kansas City to keep him off the field. The Chiefs offense will eventually get into rhythm, and McKinnon was a big cog in last year's machine. If another team drops McKinnon after one poor showing, scoop him up.

3. Noah Gray

NFL Fantasy rostered: 3.9%

This is only for very deep leagues, but hear me out. Noah Gray did not do terribly from a fantasy standpoint in Week 1. His three receptions for 31 yards gave him 6.1 points in full PPR leagues, more than George Kittle, David Njoku, and Dawson Knox.

That is not going to be every week, especially with Kelce hopefully returning. But it is still worth noting that Gray tied for the most targets against Detroit, filling in somewhat for Kelce. If we are underestimating Kelce's knee injury, you are going to want Gray on your bench. It is worth a flier in deeper leagues, especially if you have an injured reserve.