Overall Fantasy Impact: Average

Offensive Outlook: The Chiefs are a bit of an odd case.

They’re coming off a year in which they finished 31st of 32 NFL teams in offensive yards and points, and yet they have two bona fide fantasy stars in Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez, and a legitimate up-and-comer in Dwayne Bowe.

Johnson’s season-ending injury in Week 6 obviously hurt them last year, and a full season of health should do wonders for the team’s offensive numbers.

But can this trio of standouts overcome a less-than-impressive quarterback situation and a very green offensive line?

QUARTERBACKS: It’s easy to forget that the Chiefs were 4-3 at one point last year with Damon Huard as the starter. When Johnson went down, things went south and Herm Edwards decided it was time for Brodie Croyle, even though he couldn’t win the job when given every opportunity in the preseason. Croyle responded with mediocrity, managing just 1 game over 200 yards passing without ever guiding the Chiefs to a win.

It still looks like he’s the man, just because Huard is a known commodity, and Croyle still is young enough to possibly improve. With his struggles last year and considering the fact that the offense is based around Johnson, Croyle should be no more than a third fantasy QB on your roster.

RUNNING BACKS: Johnson looks recovered from the leg injury that KO’d him last year, but is that enough to get him back to fantasy glory? The Chiefs line that he rumbled behind in his glorious seasons of ‘05 and ‘06 is pretty much history. And even though he was showing signs of life before his injury last year (3 100-games out of 4), his yards per carry was a lifeless 3.5. Johnson still has to be a first-rounder based on the fact that he’s still in his prime and can easily revert back to 1,700-yard, 20-TD form, but he’s a risky first-rounder for sure.

Kolby Smith had one monster game against Oakland replacing LJ but was punchless other than that. It looks like 3rd-round choice Jamaal Charles, a good receiver and big-play threat, will be the guy who gets the chance to spell Johnson. I’m not big on handcuff picks, but I’d consider one with Charles if you ended up with Johnson.

WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT ENDS: Bowe picked up 995 yards and 5 TDs in his rookie season, which is pretty impressive considering that rookie receivers often struggle and that the Chiefs aren’t the most dynamic passing team in the world. It woud be nice if someone stepped up on the other side to take some pressure off him, but Gonzalez draws enough attention to keep most double-teams away. Look for Bowe to top 1,000 yards and get that TD total up around 7 or 8, making hm a solid No. 2 fantasy option.

Devard Darling finally got playing time in Baltimore last year and showed big-play ability (18.1 yards per catch). The Chiefs scooped him up in free agency and he should be the starter opposite Bowe, but he likely won’t get enough balls thrown his way to make much of an impact. Jeff Webb and rookie Will Franklin are next on the depth chart, but they shouldn’t be considered on draft day.

Gonzalez silenced any doubters that felt he was slowing down by racking up 99 catches for 1,172 yards, tops among NFL tight ends. At age 32, he remains one of the few tight ends capable of putting up wide receiver-type numbers, which means you’ve got a big edge on the competition at tight end if you get him. He also seems to have a good rapport with Croyle, as his numbers really peaked in December when the young QB was in the lineup.