In this second part of our Chiefs’ 4-EYED TEAM PREVIEW, we’re going to be covering the Chiefs’ IDP that you should consider rostering for the 2021 fantasy football season.
Defense wins championships.
The Chiefs learned that lesson the hard way in 2020. Tampa Bay was able to do their thing against KC in the Super Bowl as the Chiefs’ defense was on the field way too long and didn’t have the counter-measures to stop Tom Brady and Co.
The Chiefs this offseason, however, have been busy making amends for that embarrassing loss. They upgraded their O-line to make up for their lack of protection of Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, and they have made various improvements along their defense to make another run at the Lombardi trophy.
For fantasy football purposes, defense wins championships as well. Therefore, let’s look at the Chiefs’ IDPs that could help you win YOUR championship this year in our 2021 Chiefs’ IDP Team Preview!
Defensive Line
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper.
Chris Jones (Current ADP: DL28)
Jones is one the most dominant interior lineman in the game. This statement is true; we all know that. But what if I told you that the Chiefs plan on using Jones more this season on the edge/defensive end? Jones averaged 10.6fppg (DL32), being used primarily as the DT in Spagnuolo’s defense. As I eluded earlier, Spags wants to involve Jones more at DE, which could be the skeleton key to unlock a potential DL1 season. If he can get back to his 2018 season (30 QB hits, 15.5 sacks, 21 TFL, 5PD, 2FF), you have the steal of the draft at the DL28.
Jarran Reed (Current ADP: DL110)
The Chiefs’ lack of a true run-stopping unit was paramount over the course of 2020. Reed played through a lot of nagging injuries, as a result, he only averaged 8fppg. If the 1-year “prove it” deals have shown, a return to prominence is possible. Looking back to 2018, he had 12.5 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 24 QB hits, and 50 tackles (34 solos). Good for DL23. Playing alongside a talent like Chris Jones, the potential is there! Let’s be clear, Reed isn’t someone you will roster in a standard IDP league, but if you have to roster DT, he is someone to monitor.
Since 2018, @jarranreed ranks seventh in the NFL among defensive tackles with 19 sacks. He’s joining Chris Jones in KC, who ranks No. 2 on that list. Additionally, those two have combined for 335 (!!) pressures over the last three seasons.
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) April 3, 2021
This duo is gonna be fun.#Staturday pic.twitter.com/XpWnWdOSXr
Frank Clark (Current ADP: DL50)
Frank Clark is reporting to camp but, Frank Clark is also facing two felony charges stemming from his July arrest. It is paramount to pay attention to his legal battles. If somehow, he is allowed to play all season, he is a great potential value at his current ADP. Last year was just another step in the wrong direction for Clark though. He finished as the DL67 (8.4fppg) in 2020, DL35 in 2019, and DL17 in 2018. It sure feels like Clark’s off-the-field issues are affecting his on-the-field play. The addition of Reed, another year of Willie Gay, and the drafting of Bolton could do wonders for his production.
Linebacker
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper.
Willie Gay Jr (Current ADP: LB66)
Gay Jr entered 2020 as a pure upside play for Chiefs IDP managers. If he could only have gotten ample snaps, his sideline to sideline speed could have paid dividends. Unfortunately for us, the lack of camp, OTA’s, etc just was too much for the young LB to overcome. He got lost in the shuffle early, and couldn’t do enough to earn ample opportunity over the course of the full season. It is not all good and doom for Willie though! In the games that he played >30 snaps, he was very productive. In those games (4), he totaled 24 tackles (19 solos), 1 sack, 2 PD, and 1 FF. The 2021 season could be very promising for the strong side LB if given the opportunity! Keep his name in the back of your head this season. Trust me.
Nick Bolton (Current ADP: LB50)
Football Player! This is the most descriptive way I have heard Nick Bolton evaluated as. Some players have the speed to make up for poor instincts. Others have instincts to make up for poor speed. “Football Players” just get it athletically and instinctually, and trust me Nick Bolton gets it! Bolton led the SEC in stops in 2019 & 2020, and while I don’t project a likely scenario for Bolton to be an IDP stalwart, if he’s able to quickly grasp this defense and gets ample opportunity, an LB4/5 season is his potential upside this season. A dynasty darling though!
NICK BOLTON: LB3
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 16, 2021
Led the SEC in stops in 2019 & 2020.
pic.twitter.com/27dKgmaYU5
Defensive Back
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper.
Tyrann Mathieu (Current ADP: DB12)
The Honey Badger. The Landlord. He goes by many names it appears. I call him the Captain, which is fitting, due to title, and productivity. Since he has arrived in KC, Mathieu has been the driving force behind this defense. From an IDP standpoint, he has been hard to identify. Last year he was DB35, despite the career-high 6 INT. In 2019, he finished as the DB14, on the heels of a 75 tackle season, with 2 sacks and 12 PD’s. Prior to his years with KC though, he had been a consistent back-end DB1. I am excited to see what is in store for the Captain with healthy options at CB, an improved LB core, and another high potent offense to keep opposing offenses pass-happy.
Daniel Sorenson (Current ADP: DB63)
Coming off of a career season, Sorenson signed a 1-year deal to stay with the Chiefs. His 91 tackles, 2 TFL, 4 QB hits, 3 INT, and a TD paved the way to a DB23 season. Despite the “out of nowhere” IDP season, it does appear that Sorenson has a role carved out, and with his nose for the ball, it wouldn’t shock me to see him finish as a low-end DB3/4 on the season.
L’Jarius Sneed (Current ADP: DB50)
The sleeper ADPs are all over this one! I think Sneed could be one of the sneakier CB options in IDP leagues this year. In 9 games last year, Sneed had 41 tackles, 2 sacks, 7 PD’s and 3 INTs. While he missed some games, it was his play in the playoffs that really had people taking notice. He averaged nearly 50 snaps/game, collected 11 tackles (7 solo), and no longer has Breshaud Breeland to take snaps away. Over his last 4 games of the 2020 season (WK 13-16), he led KC in solo tackles and sacks, was 2nd in PD, and was 3rd in assisted tackles.
With the 138th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, we got our guy @jay__sneed! pic.twitter.com/lL8uzUuexT
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 26, 2021
That’s all for our Chiefs’ IDP coverage for today. Stay tuned for our double coverage of another AFC West team tomorrow, the Denver Broncos.
