The Kansas City Chiefs could have a much stronger offense for Alex Smith in 2015, as players like Jamaal Charles, Jeremy Maclin, Travis Kelce and Knile Davis could be solid fantasy football draft options for owners this year. KC is also hoping that nose tackle Dontari Poe can play in Week 1 against the Houston Texans.
The Chiefs have had issues with production at the wide receiver position over the past few years, but adding Maclin in free agency should help that immensely. Chris Conley could step up as a rookie and Jamaal Charles comes in as one of the most productive players in football. Travis Kelce is being projected as one of the best tight ends in fantasy this year as long as he is healthy and he comes in while dealing with an ankle injury heading towards Week 1.
Charles missed one game last season and ended up with 1033 rushing yards and nine touchdowns along with 40 catches for 291 yards. Those numbers were down from the previous season, but Charles remains one of the best running backs in football. Charles could see some more lanes in the rushing game this season, as Smith now has some solid weapons with Kelce, Maclin and Conley as well as Jason Avant.
Maclin is coming in after playing in all 16 games last season and that was promising after he missed all of 2013 with an injury. Maclin had a career best 85 catches for 1318 yards and 10 touchdowns and he now is the top target for Alex Smith. Travis Kelce is worth a look for fantasy owners, as he comes in after having a solid season with 67 catches for 862 yards and five touchdowns last year. Kelce could be a sleeper past the top tight ends like Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski.
The Chiefs are hoping that Poe can play and the team did not put him on the PUP list heading into the season after having back surgery earlier in the offseason. According to Pro Football Talk, the fact that the Chiefs did not place Poe on the PUP list likely means that the team expects him back before the six weeks that the list would have kept him out. Andy Reid said earlier in the week that there is a "chance" that Poe could play and that he will be "monitored" in practice.
Even if Poe doesn't play in Week 1, the fact that he is not on the physically unable to perform list means he should be able to get into the starting lineup at some point over the next month. Poe comes in after having his best career season with 6.0 sacks and 46 total tackles and he played in all 16 games last year. The Chiefs defense expects to be improved this season and having Poe would be huge for that unit.