2014 Fantasy Football Profile: Kansas City Chiefs DEF/ST

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Most fantasy football owners wait until the last round to draft a DEF/ST, as it is normally difficult to predict which defense will be strong from year to year. However, there are some defenses that are simply too good to ignore, and one of these highly coveted units is the Kansas City Chiefs.

Positives:

KC was second in the league in 2013 with a +18 turnover differential. They were also tied for sixth in the league with 47 sacks, tied for third with 21 interceptions, and scored two defensive touchdowns.

Through the first seven weeks of the 2013 season, Kansas City’s pass rash was unstoppable. They racked up an astonishing 35 sacks and 12 interceptions over that span, including 15 sacks from Justin Houston and 9 sacks form Tamba Hali. 

After the defense’s seven-game hot streak, the unit was decimated by injury. Hali failed to record another sack the rest of the way and Houston racked up just 1.5 more sacks due to a nagging knee injury. Both linebackers will return 100% healthy in 2014 and will once again give KC an elite pass rush.

The secondary of KC has also been underrated in recent years. The team has Brandon Flowers as their shutdown corner and safety Eric Berry is starting to mature into one for he best defensive backs in football. The secondary may not get enough credit, but they certainly hold down the last level.

Negatives:

KC finished 25th in passing yards against (247.6 yards/game) and 22nd against the run (120.2 yards/game). Despite the big sack numbers and numerous Pro Bowlers, the defense was continuously torched by opposing offenses and everyone knows that yards against only lead to points. Needless to say, the unit isn’t perfect.

Additionally, the defense’s utter breakdown over the second half of the season is certainly concerning. KC had the number one fantasy defense over the first half of the season, but ended up being a middle of the road option by the team the playoffs came rolling around.

Final Verdict:

The Chiefs will be one of the best bargain defenses after the  San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are off the board. The Chiefs will be much better at getting to the quarterback this year and will reclaim their spot among the top-five fantasy defense again.

Bye Week: 6

Projected Round: 13

Auction Value: $2

 

Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.


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