The Buffalo Bills decided to part ways with running back LeSean McCoy when cutting their roster down to 53. McCoy spent four years in Buffalo and ran for 1,000 or more yards twice. In 2018, McCoy ran for 514 yards and averaged a career-low 3.2 yards per carry. Last season left many people thinking that his career might be over. He certainly was not a reliable fantasy option for any team in any format.
It did not take long for the veteran runner to find a new home. The Kansas City Chiefs signed McCoy on Saturday night. This is the best possible spot for a free agent running back looking for a job. McCoy spent time with Chiefs' head coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia. The two know each other well which will help when the Chiefs take the field Week 1. They will be facing the Jacksonville Jaguars who have one of the league's toughest defense units.
If Reid has a plan for McCoy, it will be tested in the team's first game. The Chiefs enter Week 1 as slight favorites on the road. This is in most part because of their offense and McCoy can add to that firepower.
Breakdown of Chiefs' Backfield
The Chiefs have always had a steady running back. Heading into 2019, they will use a committee in the backfield. Before signing McCoy, the Chiefs planned to give Damien Williams a bulk of the carries. Williams has never been a No. 1 back, but he showed promise towards the end of last season. After the Chiefs cut Carlos Hyde, Darrel Williams jumped immediately into the backup role.
Rookie Darwin Thompson was viewed as a player who could be a fantasy sleeper. He has drawn comparisons to Tarik Cohen because of his size and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Thompson is extremely quick and runs NFL level routes. With McCoy coming in, it will be hard for Thompson to get on the field.
The Chiefs announced that McCoy and Williams would both be viewed as starting running backs. They believe that there is still something left in the 31-year old running back. In Philadelphia, McCoy had four 1,000 yard rushing seasons. He was a tremendous receiver and proved to be a duel threat. Even though he was younger during his Eagles' days, many believe that reuniting with Reid will rejuvenate McCoy's performance on the field.
Kansas City has arguably the most explosive offense in the league. Patrick Mahomes leads an offense that features Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. McCoy has a chance to become another big name in the offense and take some pressure off the passing game.
LeSean McCoy Fantasy Preview
As an Eagle, McCoy was often taken in the first round of fantasy drafts. He had many years where he was the top fantasy running back in the NFL. Those times have come and gone, but that does not mean that he will not make an impact.
McCoy finished with 1,267 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2016 with the Bills. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry and had his second season with double-digit rushing touchdowns. In 2017, McCoy followed up with 1,138 yards. Despite a poor 2018 season, McCoy still has something left in the tank. If he gets a decent amount of carries, he will produce. Also, the Chiefs will use him as a receiver. Mahomes will immediately find a connection with McCoy, and this will earn him some more time on the field.
If you are thinking about drafting McCoy, make sure to do it in the late rounds. McCoy will be one of the top two backs in Kansas City which instantly makes him a fantasy option. Williams and McCoy are a definite handcuff option in fantasy. There is no early sign of one getting more touches than the other, but they will both make an impact. McCoy should finish with better fantasy numbers than he did in 2018 just by being on such a better team.
McCoy is a bench player in fantasy to begin the season. No one knows how the Chiefs plan to use their running backs. If you end up drafting McCoy, make sure to stash him on your bench just in case he breaks out midseason, which is possible in Kansas City.
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