The Best Fantasy Player and Fantasy Sleeper: Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs will again have a killer fantasy season with Trent Green, Priest Holmes and Dante Hall all putting up big numbers yet again.

Wait a second. What year is this? 2008? Wow, for some reason when I thought of the Kansas City Chiefs and fantasy football my mind only remembers through the 2003 season. Oh well. I'll do my best to update you on this year's squad.

Kansas City's Best Fantasy Option: TE Tony Gonzalez

You know him. You love him. He may have even saved your life once upon a time. Besides his Hall of Fame talent, Tony Gonzalez will continue to be a top fantasy option in 2008 because of another year of shaky offense in Kansas City.

And if the last three years or so have taught us anything in Kansas City, it's that no matter what you can bank on Tony Gonzalez producing at a fantasy level within the top three tight ends in the NFL.

Before the 2007 season, I assumed that Tony Gonzalez, then entering his 11th season, would have to succumb to the inevitable pains of old football age. I predicted a still fantastic 81 receptions, 975 yards and 6 touchdowns.

I'm happy to report, as you probably remember, TG clowned me by catching 99 balls for 1172 yards and 5 touchdowns.

So, you'd be foolish to think that TG would have any significant drop off in 2008. The KC offense is still a big question mark and when Croyle rolls back and the o-line disintegrates, who do you think he's going to look for? A 15% reduction in stats would be a fair analysis to give Gonzalez although I wouldn't be surprised if he proved me wrong once again.

Best Fantasy Sleeper: ???

Okay, I know the question marks are a cop out. But with a team that has maybe three fantasy players (and not even #1s at that), how am I supposed to pick one sleeper? Fantasy football is all about offense and the Chiefs don't exactly have a huge cache of weapons to choose from. Plus, most of the guys who would fall far enough under the radar to be considered sleepers are 1st or 2nd year guys with zero NFL football under their belt and not exactly the best chance to succeed. I'll do my best.

I can't give just one, which is why I'm going to give a few options.

RB Kolby Smith is a good handcuff for Larry Johnson. Smith ran decently in place of LJ last year and he'll start the season as the #2 running back. I don't anticipate Larry Johnson getting injured again this season but he will get fewer carries than he has in the past, resulting in more carries for Kolby Smith. RB Jamaal Charles is another possible handcuff but he won't start the season getting many touches. Watch out for Charles as the season progresses though because Herm Edwards and Chan Gailey could start getting more comfortable using the lightning of Charles and the thunder of LJ more often in games.

Rookie WR Will Franklin, currently sitting with an injured knee, is definitely a player to keep an eye on when he gets healthy. Franklin quickly solidified himself as the #3/2 WR in the early days of camp before his knee injury. Aside from Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs really have nobody of note on the depth chart and a healthy Franklin will be given plenty of opportunities.

That's it for the sleepers. The Chiefs offense won't be much to look at this year so you're probably already hunting elsewhere for fantasy prospects. I can't say I blame you.