It wasn't long ago when everything seemed great in Kansas City.
During the offseason, the Chiefs seemingly addressed a weakness that was exposed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Super Bowl LV -- that being the pass protection by the offensive line. The Chiefs were touted as a lock to win the AFC and make their third straight appearance in the Super Bowl.
On the fantasy side, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce were each viewed among the very best at their respective positions. Fast-forward to today, and the Chiefs are 5-4 and third in the AFC West. Shocking stuff, especially when you consider that since Mahomes became the team's starting quarterback in 2018, KC hasn't lost more than four games in a single season. The Chiefs may have managed to eke out a victory over the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers last week but appear to have hit rock bottom in the minds of fantasy managers. After all, virtually nobody envisioned a struggling Chiefs offense as a possibility this season.
So now that we're in Week 10 and the trade deadline looms in fantasy leagues, the question is this: Is it still worth trading for the Chiefs' stars? Let's dive in for a closer look.
Patrick Mahomes
We all know how good Mahomes can be, and the stats tell the story. From the start of the 2018 season through Week 4 of this season, Mahomes averaged 307.8 passing yards and 27.7 fantasy points per game. There's a reason he was the top quarterback selected in fantasy drafts this season! Since Week 5, though, things have gone off track. His averages have fallen to 263.2 passing yards and 17.5 fantasy PPG, and he's thrown for as many interceptions (6) as touchdowns (6).
Here's the thing, though -- Mahomes' body of work is too great to give up on him after a month of subpar play. His per-game-volume numbers this season such as pass attempts per game (37.3), passing yards per game (303.7) and fantasy points per game (26.8) have a very high year-to-year correlation. He has good blocking, a proven coach in Andy Reid -- whom he's won a Super Bowl under -- and playmakers at all the skill positions.
What to do: Trade for him.
Tyreek Hill
The perception is that Hill is having a down season. However, on a per-game basis, his 2021 season is eerily similar to Hill's statistical production from 2018 to 2020. This season, Hill has averaged 11.3 targets, 85.8 receiving yards, 121.4 receiving air yards and 20.8 points per game. From 2018 to 2020, he averaged 8.3 targets, 84.1 receiving yards, 114.6 receiving air yards and 19.8 points per game.
For wide receivers, targets and air yards are some of the most predictable stats. Once Reid and Mahomes diversify their approach to attacking defenses, Hill's outlook for the rest of the season improves. Additionally, he has the capability to threaten defenses on short-to-intermediate routes, which is what opponents have forced the Chiefs to rely on since Week 5.
What to do: Trade for him.
Travis Kelce
Kelce is the one big name on the Chiefs who is playing well despite the team's offensive struggles. He has averaged 8.9 targets, 70.8 receiving yards, 70 receiving air yards and 16.4 fantasy points this season, which is only slightly below his production from 2018 to 2020 (9.2 targets, 84.7 receiving yards, 77 receiving air yards and 18.5 fantasy points per game).
In general, targets and air yards are among the most stable stats for tight ends from year to year. Kelce remains the No. 1 tight end in fantasy football, and if the Chiefs' offense gets out of its rut, his ceiling only rises for the rest of the season.
What to do: Trade for him.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Edwards-Helaire has been sidelined since Week 5 after spraining a medial collateral ligament, and since then the Chiefs haven't prioritized the running game much. In fact, they've averaged just 21.7 rushing attempts and 87 rushing yards per game during the past three games, which ranks near the bottom of the NFL during that span.
A more balanced attack could help the Chiefs' offense return to form, and the impending return of Edwards-Helaire -- he returned to practice on Wednesday -- would be a big lift.
CEH has the talent to be a difference-maker for fantasy teams heading into the playoffs, and he plays behind a Chiefs offensive line that has the third-highest run block win rate, and it's easy to forget about his consecutive games of 100-plus rushing yards in Week 3 and 4 before going down in Week 5.
What to do: Trade for him.