Patrick Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL and LCL, and that brutal injury has absolutely cratered the fantasy football value for pretty much every Chiefs player heading into the 2026 season. This is wild, because the collective group of fantasy-eligible Chiefs could be more overlooked right now than at any point in the Mahomes era. If you’re eyeing some Kansas City talent for your draft, you better know what you’re getting into, because their rankings are NOT what you’d expect.
Mahomes’ Unprecedented Dive and Kelce’s Stumble
Let’s be real, seeing Patrick Mahomes ranked this low for a fantasy season feels criminal, but it’s the cold hard truth after his injury and lower finishes the last few years. Across ESPN, Yahoo!, and Sleeper, he’s sitting at 12th, 13th, or 15th among quarterbacks. Think about that for a second: Mahomes could legit fall past the ninth round in your 12-team draft, with a consensus ADP of 103rd overall. That’s a huge drop for a guy who used to be a lock for an early-round pick!
Then you’ve got Travis Kelce. Just a few years back, this dude was getting drafted alongside top-tier wide receivers and running backs. Now? He’s slated as an eighth- or ninth-round pick, ranked 10th to 14th among tight ends. It’s a massive shift in value. Rashee Rice, their solid wide receiver, is still holding strong as a third- or fourth-round choice, ranking 9th to 15th at his position. He’s probably the most stable pick among their usual stars, but even his ceiling might be capped with the QB situation.
Running Backs, Sleepers, and the Defense
The running back situation for the Chiefs is definitely interesting. Kenneth Walker has a massive range, from a late-first-round grab to potentially a third-round pick, hitting 6th among RBs on Sleeper. That kind of range makes him a true wild card on draft day. If you’re willing to take a swing on rookie back Emmett Johnson, he’s coming in at 166th consensus ADP, likely needing one of your final picks. Brashard Smith, who can get the ball in a bunch of different ways, including returns, barely snuck into the top-300 consensus ADP at 299th. These guys are pure dart throws.
Their former first-round pick, Xavier Worthy, is viewed as a 10th- or 11th-round pick, ranking between 47th and 54th among wide receivers. That’s a steep fall for a talent like that. Tyquan Thornton is even harder to find, not even making some top-60 WR lists, but could be a worthwhile last-round flier if he steps up his game. Kicker Harrison Butker feels like a total boom-or-bust play, and honestly, you might be better off just picking him up off waivers if the offense starts hot. On the flip side, the Chiefs D/ST is getting some love, ranked 13th to 17th, with a strong case to draft and start them early on.
So, if you’re eyeing any Chiefs players for your fantasy squad, you gotta factor in that Mahomes injury. It’s pushing them down the draft boards harder than ever before. Will these ‘overlooked’ guys become league-winners or just a headache? You’ll find out when the NFL season kicks off, but for now, know your draft targets and be ready for some serious value plays or busts!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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