Kenneth Walker vs Brock Bowers

“The most significant offseason addition on offense for the Chiefs was running back Kenneth Walker III, and their offseason actions would suggest they want to improve their running game, possibly leaning on Walker to take some work off Mahomes' plate in his return from knee surgery.”

“With the expectation that the offense could lean more heavily on the running game early in the season, Walker could see a significant touch count right away, and the hosts believe he possesses legitimate top-10 fantasy upside.”

“Walker has struggled to handle a heavy workload throughout his career and has often found himself sharing touches. Walker brings exactly what Kansas City's backfield has been missing: explosiveness, with elite explosive run rate and ability to force missed tackles.”

“With his salivating mix of talent and efficiency, Walker should be an explosive RB1 in 2026.”

“Last year, Walker ranked second in explosive run rate, first in missed tackle rate, ninth in yards per route run, and 12th in first downs per route run. He was a per-touch efficiency marvel.”

“Kenneth Walker arrives in Kansas City as the Chiefs' new lead back. Walker had a disappointing season in 2025 from a fantasy standpoint as the RB28 in fantasy points per game, but it's easy to see why it unfolded that way.”

“The addition of Kenneth Walker III will likely also reduce their reliance on short throws to Rice as a replacement for the traditional run game.”

“Fitzmaurice also sounded extremely optimistic about Kenneth Walker III after selecting him in the third round. The core argument was that Kansas City desperately needed explosiveness in the backfield and finally addressed it. Fitz believes the Chiefs are serious about re-establishing the run game, and Walker's big-play ability gives him league-winning upside in that offense.”

“Kenneth Walker III became a discussion about workload expectations. The issue is whether fantasy managers are now projecting a workhorse role that simply may never exist consistently. The panel highlighted his limited goal-line usage, injury history, and the fact that Seattle carefully managed touches throughout most of his career before finally leaning heavily on him during the playoff run.”

“Kenneth Walker III signed a 3-year, $43.05 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs to be their lead back and is currently RB9 in dynasty. That is way too high for a running back who had a great playoff run, but otherwise was an average back in a committee system in Seattle. He is stepping in to lead a Kansas City backfield that hasn't produced a 1,000-yard rusher since 2017, and he will be losing pass-catching duties to rookie Emmett Johnson and Emari Demercado.”

“Johnson has a broader skill set than Smith, so the rookie is likely to be Kenneth Walker's primary backup. Johnson carried a big load for Nebraska last season, averaging 20.9 carries and 24.8 touches a game. If Walker were to miss any time in 2026, Johnson could handle a full workload.”

“Kenneth Walker left the team during free agency.”

“Bowers came into the NFL as one of the most highly regarded TE prospects of all time and had 112 catches for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns on 153 targets as a rookie while playing with QBs Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell and Desmond Ridder. Injuries kept Bowers from big things in 2025, but he should have a monster 2026 season as the top target earner in what should be an improved Raiders offense.”

“Brock Bowers lead the way as the top candidates to finish above 200 fantasy points (half-PPR). With the league shifting towards TE-heavy offensive sets, we could see snaps across the position skyrocket.”

“Managers consistently overpay for superstars early (the curse of Brock Bowers in 2025). A star player like Bowers is going to cost a lot early in the season, especially if you are playing with inexperienced or uninformed chopped players.”

“The passing game will also get a lift from a healthier Brock Bowers. The team's top pass-catching weapon suffered a PCL injury and a bone bruise in his knee in Week 1 and played through the injury for three weeks before shutting it down until Week 9.”

“Bowers, meanwhile, is onto his third quarterback in three years and will be hoping that Fernando Mendoza adjusts quickly to the NFL.”

“I've had the best results getting my starting RBs from this stage, a solid, back-end top 12 WR, and Brock Bowers if he's going for somewhere near the mid $30s.”

“Bowers was plagued by injuries last season. He played through a couple of lingering injuries at the start of the season, and ultimately ended his season after 12 games.”

“Everyone is expecting the Raiders' rookie QB to pepper Bowers as he gets his feet wet. Expect to pay a premium for the top-ranked TE, this year.”

“Bowers is worth a look in the back half of the second round or early in the third round of 12-team fantasy drafts.”

“Pat Fitzmaurice compared Bowers' potential fantasy edge to the advantage Travis Kelce provided during his peak seasons. Even as a rookie, Bowers posted elite receiving numbers and finished among the league leaders in targets, receptions, and receiving yards across all pass catchers.”

“Brock Bowers, Raiders (24) was the highest rated Tight End in the NFL Top 100 for 2025.”

“I am taking the post-injury discount on Brock Bowers after he missed five games in 2025. Despite missing those games, he actually scored more touchdowns (seven) than he did in his phenomenal rookie season.”