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Kansas City Chiefs: Fantasy Football Plays Vs San Diego Chargers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Diego Chargers this weekend at Arrowhead Stadium. Here are the Chiefs players you should be playing in your Fantasy Football league or daily fantasy football matchup.

Football is back for the Kansas City Chiefs and Chiefs Kingdom. However, even more than that, Fantasy Football is back for millions of people all over the world. Fantasy Football remains one of the most popular aspects of the NFL, and it is only getting more diverse. With the onset of daily fantasy sports (DFS) sites, it is even more important to know who to play and who to sit. Here at KC Kingdom, we are going to keep you in tune with which Chiefs players are set for big days.

The Chiefs appear to have a very strong team for 2016. On top of that being good news for Chiefs fans every week, it also means Fantasy Football players should pay attention. The Chiefs don’t feature a ton of marquee fantasy players, but there are a few on the roster. Jamaal Charles, Travis Kelce, and Jeremy Maclin are all obvious names. However, there are a number of other players who have value as well.

With the Chiefs taking on the San Diego Chargers this week, there will be a huge opportunity for some players to showcase themselves. I am here to give you the inside scoop on who you should be playing this week. Believe it or not, some of those obvious names aren’t good ones to play. Meanwhile, some lesser known guys may be primed to steal the show.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Maclin – Wide Receiver

Projection: 5 Catches for 68 yards

Jeremy Maclin is the Kansas City Chiefs top wide receiver, but he will draw a tough assignment this week. The Chargers defense doesn’t strike fear in anybody, but they do have a good young corner in Jason Verrett. Verrett will likely stay with Maclin for most of the game, and that will make it tough on the veteran to get big yards.

Though Verrett is a tough corner to beat, Jeremy Maclin remains one of the best route runners in the NFL. So expect him to get at least one decent gainer in there on Sunday. Depending on your league scoring structure, Maclin may or may not be a good play. As a DFS option, I would stay away this week.

In the long run, Maclin is a good player to have in your league. He can be a starter in your FLEX position, or serve as a top backup. Alex Smith doesn’t make a ton of contested throws, so that limits Maclin’s value somewhat. However, he is still capable of a 1000 yard season. Keep him around, but maybe look for a better starter this week if you can.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Smith – Quarterback

Projection: 21/28 (75%) for 225 yards; 1 TD

Many people don’t think of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith as a top Fantasy Football play. However, the veteran quarterback has continually gotten better during his time in Kansas City. That should continue this year as Smith has his most stable, and talented, offensive situation in his entire career.

I don’t think Alex Smith has a breakout game this week, only because there’s another player that will steal the show. Smith will play well, protect the ball, and move the offense, but don’t expect huge numbers.

If Smith is your starter this week, you may want to reconsider as his numbers won’t be great for that role. However, if you are in a two quarterback league, Alex Smith is a great option as your second guy. For regular scoring leagues, Smith is a great backup who you might start some weeks due to matchups. For DFS players, Alex Smith will be a cost effective option if you are loading up at running back and wide receiver.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Cairo Santos – Kicker

Projection: 2/2 FG (100%); 4/4 XP (100%)

A good kicker is a valuable weapon in Fantasy Football, and the Kansas City Chiefs have a good kicker. Cairo Santos has quietly become one of the more effective kickers in the NFL. He provides a good blend of range and accuracy that makes him a reliable option for the Chiefs to utilize.

The production for Santos this week, as with every kicker, will be determined by the effectiveness of the offense. From a Fantasy Football point of view, that may actually work against Santos as a top play. I think the Chiefs find the endzone quite a bit instead of netting a lot of field goals. However, Santos may get an opportunity for a few long attempts that could add some more points.

If you’re playing in a league, Cairo Santos is a good option to have week in and week out. He is in no danger of losing his job, and should get quite a few opportunities. For DFS players, the value of Santos should be pretty decent simply because kickers don’t cost much. Go ahead and keep him ready to go each week.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Kelce – Tight End

Projection: 5 catches for 65 yards; 1 TD

Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce has not had big games against the Chargers in the past. For whatever reason, San Diego simply had Kelce’s number. Well, I say “for whatever reason”, but the truth is that the reason was All Pro safety Eric Weddle. The star safety was certainly the biggest (only) thorn in the Chiefs side when they played San Diego in 2015.

However, that is primed to change this year as San Diego no longer has Eric Weddle to help out in coverage. Without Weddle patrolling the middle of the field, Alex Smith should be much more aggressive in targeting Kelce on post routes over the deep middle.

Travis Kelce will be one of the top tight ends of the 2016 season for Fantasy Football. He should be a solid play for your league or in DFS. If you’re playing DFS though, be wary as the production may not be worth the cost, depending on your league.

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs Defense/Special Teams

Projection:

In 2015, the Kansas City Chiefs defense absolutely owned the San Diego Chargers. In both contests between division opponents, the Chiefs held the Chargers under 300 total yards of offense. The Chargers also only scored three points in each game…three points…each game.

Sure, 2016 is a new year, but I am not seeing a whole lot to make me think this will be a huge difference. I think the Chargers find the endzone this time around, but all in all the Chiefs defense should have another impressive showing. Throw in the Special Teams, and this is an easy play to make this week.

The Chiefs defense is a good one to hold onto this year. Don’t expect the same dominant performance of 2015, but the unit should still be top ten in the NFL. There will be a couple of hiccups with a young secondary, but that should be mitigated as the Special Teams unit should be exceptionally dangerous.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Spencer Ware – Running Back

Projection: 22 carries for 125 yards; 2 TD; 3 catches for 25 yards

The Kansas City Chiefs top play this week is running back Spencer Ware. Ware is absolutely primed for a big game against a team that struggles to stop the run. In 2015, Ware looked very strong against the Chargers.

Ware’s first matchup against San Diego netted 96 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 11 carries. His second shot at the Chargers was less pronounced, but still resulted in 52 yards on only 8 carries. Both of those games had Spencer Ware splitting carries with Charcandrick West. That will not be the case on Sunday as Ware is getting the start.

Spencer Ware may be the top handcuff running back in the NFL. Both Jamaal Charles and Charcandrick West are hurt right now, leaving the lions share to Ware. Even when those two players return, Spencer Ware figures to get the bulk of the goalline work. He may even be the top backup to Jamaal Charles. This is a great player to have on your bench, and an even better play this week.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Who To Sit

Chris Conley – Wide Receiver

The Kansas City Chiefs have promoted second year receiver Chris Conley to the #2 position on the wide receiver depth chart. However, you should expect some growing pains and a learning curve here. Conley is a guy to watch on the waiver wires, but don’t bother stashing him on your bench just yet. Wait and see if he picks up on things early on or not.

Charcandrick West – Running Back

The Chiefs top backup running back in 2015 is a hot commodity handcuff in 2016. He shouldn’t be as Spencer Ware got most of the starting snaps in preseason even before West injured his elbow. Keep him in mind as the season wears on, but this is the wrong backup running back to stash on your roster for now.

Jamaal Charles – Running Back

Eventually, Jamaal Charles will probably be the best Chiefs fantasy player for 2016. However, he is still coming back from a knee injury and will take some time to get back up to speed. Even when he is healthy, don’t be surprised if Spencer Ware poaches a lot of the short range touchdowns. Keep Charles on your roster, but don’t be too reliant on him.

The Kansas City Chiefs should handle the San Diego Chargers pretty easily this week. Expect most of the work to be done on the ground, and that’s why Spencer Ware is your top play. The Chiefs Defense and Special Teams should also net some points as they simply outclass the Chargers. Don’t go overboard on playing Chiefs. They can score, but the gameplan will be the key.