Fantasy Football Player Notes

McConkey has been listed as questionable this week as he is dealing with knee and shoulder injuries. Since Week 8, McConkey has been the WR11 in fantasy points per game, drawing a 24.3% target share with 3.25 YPRR and a 31.2% first-read share. He has been awesome, with three 100-yard receiving performances. The only knock with his usage has been only two red zone targets. The Chiefs have the third-highest two high rate in the NFL (60.1%). Since Week 8, against two high (minimum 50 routes), McConkey has ranked second in TPRR (21%), third in YPRR (1.93), and tied for first with a 21.6% first-read share. If he's good to go, McConkey should have another standout game. Since Week 8, Kansas City has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game and the eighth-most PPR points per target to slot receivers.

Last week, Edwards led the way for the backfield with a 52% snap rate while playing 64% of the rushing play snaps. What's concerning for Edwards is that he didn't see a snap inside the red zone. Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins each played 40% of the red zone snaps. Last week, Edwards had seven touches and 33 total yards. Edwards has been stuck in the mud all season, with only a 7% missed tackle rate and 2.16 yards after contact per attempt. I expect him to lead the backfield in touches again this week, but if you told me that Kimani Vidal took over as the lead back this week, I wouldn't be shocked at all. Edwards is a must-sit this week. Since Week 8, the Chiefs have continued to field an elite run defense, allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game, the fourth-lowest explosive run rate, and the fifth-lowest yards after contact per attempt.

I understand the goose egg that Dissly laid in the box score last week hurt. I get it, but this isn't the week to hop off the Dissly train. Before that terrible game last week, Dissly had been money in fantasy. In Weeks 7-12, Dissly had a 19.1% target share, 19.3% first-read share, and 2.01 YPRR. He averaged 48 receiving yards per game and had two TE1 weeks (TE7, TE6). This week, he draws a dream matchup against a Chiefs pass defense that has allowed the most receiving yards per game and the fourth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Since Week 8, Johnston has had a 17% target share, 1.60 YPRR, and a 19.1% first-read share. He's had three red zone targets during that span and scored three touchdowns. The Chiefs have the third-highest two high rate in the NFL (60.1%). Since Week 8, against two high (minimum 50 routes), Johnson has ranked fourth in TPRR (12%), first in YPRR (2.23), and third in first-read share (17.9%). Johnston runs into a secondary that, since Week 8, has allowed the tenth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Johnson is a weekly flex dice roll. At this point, the boom/bust nature of his game is well known.

Palmer is a flex play that really only comes into focus if McConkey misses this week or if you're in a deep league and you're desperate. The Chiefs have the third-highest two high rate in the NFL (60.1%). Since Week 8, against two high (minimum 50 routes), Palmer ranks third in TPRR (13%), second in YPRR (2.17), and fourth in first-read share (15.7%). Since Week 7, Palmer has seen only one red zone target, so his chances of scoring a touchdown this week are slim unless he breaks a big play. He does have a favorable matchup against a secondary that has been struggling recently. Since Week 8, Kansas City has allowed the tenth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Vidal could take over as the Bolts lead back this week, but it's difficult to project that. I think we have all seen enough from Gus Edwards to know that the gas tank is empty. I hope the Chargers feel the same way. There's no way to play Vidal with any confidence this week, especially considering the difficult matchup. Last week, Vidal played 26% of the snaps with four carries and 20 rushing yards. He did play 40% of the red zone snaps. Vidal has looked serviceable when he has gotten opportunities, with a 4.5% explosive run rate and 2.55 yards after contact per attempt. Since Week 8, the Chiefs have continued to field an elite run defense, allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game, the fourth-lowest explosive run rate, and the fifth-lowest yards after contact per attempt.