Fantasy football can be a fickle thing for fans at the beginning of a new season, and although Kansas City Chiefs players may seem like a safe bet to start in Week 1, they face a tough test against a stout Detroit Lions defense.
Patrick Mahomes is obviously a lock to be a top quarterback in 2023 but might be without his top receiving option, tight end Travis Kelce, for the season opener. Isiah Pacheco is set to play but had surgeries in the offseason that may compromise his explosiveness early in the Chiefs’ schedule.
Buy Chiefs TicketsWith this in mind, it makes sense to look to some of Kansas City’s more unheralded contributors to win fantasy games in Week 1.
Check out our top picks who could make a serious impact against the Lions:
TE Noah Gray
Gray has proven to be a rock-solid pass catcher for the Chiefs in the past, and with Kelce’s status in question, he could be primed to take on a key role in Kansas City’s offense on Thursday. While he may not be a viable starter in leagues with fewer teams through the rest of the 2023 season, Gray certainly deserves consideration for time in lineups in Week 1 should Kelce be ruled out.
WR Skyy Moore
Moore had an exceptionally quiet preseason but was heavily featured in training camp practices when the Chiefs ran trick plays. He faces stiff competition for snaps in Kansas City’s offense, but fans shouldn’t be surprised if he finds the end zone on a gimmicky playcall by Andy Reid, especially if the Chiefs can find an opening in Detroit’s defensive front that they think can be exploited.
RB Jerick McKinnon
McKinnon was extremely productive for Kansas City down the stretch last season, and if the Chiefs’ coaching staff doesn’t want to put unnecessary strain on Isiah Pacheco, the veteran running back could get a fair amount of snaps against the Lions. His speed lends him the ability to break even the most routine plays for big yardage, and his upside in the passing game could make him a viable option in PPR leagues.
TE Blake Bell
Here again, Kelce’s potential absence opens up a window for a guy like Bell to play an outsized role in the Chiefs’ offense. He is already the team’s go-to runner on what would otherwise be quarterback sneaks, so his utilization near the goal line could pay dividends for fans who have him in their lineups for Week 1.
WR Rashee Rice
Rice had an exceptional preseason and may get a fair amount of looks from Patrick Mahomes in the regular season opener. Though he’ll have to make the most of his opportunities against the Lions, Rice’s ability to gain yards after the catch makes him a perfect fit in the Chiefs’ West Coast Offense and may help him produce more than some expect in Week 1.
