The 2024 NFL Season is rapidly approaching. The season kicks off on Thursday, September 5 and every day through Monday, September 2 we’ll be going team-by-team as we preview the new season. Be sure to come back here every afternoon as we look at a new team and get your ready for the 2024 season. We’ll cover off-season changes, the fantasy prospects, and the prediction for how the team will fare this season.

The preview tour kicks off in Kansas City, where the Chiefs became back-to-back NFL champions with a Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers. It wasn’t an easy season, as the Chiefs looked mortal at times, but they finished 11-6, won the AFC West and swept through the playoffs. The Chiefs beat the Dolphins at home, then beat the Bills and Ravens on the Road to win the AFC. Then it was a win over the 49ers in the Super Bowl as Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes hoisted their third overall Lombardi trophy. The question this off-season is, can they do it again?

Off-Season Changes

The Chiefs didn’t make many roster changes this off-season. Veteran receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling left in free agency for the Bills, while cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was traded to the Tennessee Titans. But the Chiefs brought back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to provide backfield depth and signed veteran quarterback Carson Wentz. The team also added to its weapons, signing receiver Marquise Brown. Brown has played the last two seasons with the Cardinals following his first three seasons with the Ravens. He has 313 receptions for 3,644 yards and 28 touchdowns in his career.

In the draft, the Chiefs also made sure to upgrade the receiver position, spending a First-Round selection on Texas receiver Xavier Worthy, who set the record for the 40-Yard Dash at the NFL Combine. In three seasons, Worthy had 197 receptions, including 75 for 1,014 yards in 2023. In the Second Round, the Chiefs bolstered the offensive line with tackle Kingsley Suamataia and later grabbed a tight end in Jared Wiley.

Fantasy Prospects

The Chiefs have a loaded offense that you’ll want to have pieces of in fantasy. That starts with Mahomes, one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Mahomes is an easy Top 3 option in dynasty, but the Chiefs’ offense has been more conservative in recent years. Mahomes finished as QB8 in 2023. However, it feels like this is the best group of receivers Mahomes has had since Tyreek Hill left prior to the 2022 season. I think we see a better pass offense this season, so I like Mahomes to finish Top 5 in 2024.

In the backfield, it’s all about Isaih Pacheco. He finished as RB15, rushing for 935 yards in 14 games. He’s the show for the Chiefs’ backfield, I like him as an RB2 again in 2024. The other most reliable position player for the Chiefs is tight end Travis Kelce. Even in a lesser year in 2023, Kelce was TE3, tied for the best points-per-game average with 14.6 I suspect the pass offense will run through him again, and I like him as a Top 3 option at tight end.

The receivers are more intriguing. The Chiefs return second-year man Rashee Rice, who caught 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns, seeing more than 100 targets. It’s been a rough off-season for Rice, who is dealing with some off-field issues. In addition, the Chiefs added the veteran Brown and the rookie Worthy. I think all three will make an impact, and all three will eat into each other’s upside. I like Rice to finish the highest, in the low-end WR3 territory with Worthy a WR4 and Brown a WR5. This might be a group where the sum of the whole is greater than any individual part.

Prediction

The Chiefs have a stranglehold on the AFC West and have dominated the AFC, making it to six straight AFC Championship Games and four Super Bowls, winning three. I doubt much changes in 2024. The AFC West is a weaker division, and I suspect the Chiefs can win 10 to 12 games and take the West again. I think they’ll be a strong contender in the playoffs again as well.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.