Kansas City Chiefs Fantasy Football Guide 2026: Is Mahomes Still a Round 1 Pick?
The Kansas City Chiefs have been the gold standard of NFL success for nearly a decade, and their fantasy football output has matched that dominance — at least for most of that run. As we head into the 2026 fantasy season, the question on every drafter's mind is simple: Is Patrick Mahomes still worth a Round 1 pick?
The short answer in 2026 is no — but the long answer is far more nuanced, and the Chiefs still offer several players who can win you a fantasy championship. Let's break down every fantasy-relevant Chief for your 2026 draft board.
Patrick Mahomes — QB · ADP ~39 · Draft Range: Round 4–6
Mahomes is no longer the consensus QB1 or a Round 1–2 pick. After two seasons of elevated turnover rates and a shift toward a more conservative, dink-and-dunk offense, his fantasy ceiling has lowered. In 2025, Mahomes finished as the QB8 in total points — solid, but not the league-winning production we saw from 2018–2022.
However, Mahomes remains an elite real-life quarterback with unmatched playoff experience and the ability to erupt for 40+ fantasy points in any given week. In 2026, treat Mahomes as a Round 4–6 quarterback with weekly QB1 upside. He's the perfect target if you wait on QB and want a safe floor with tournament-winning ceiling in the playoffs.
2026 Projection: 4,200 passing yards, 32 TDs, 12 INTs, 300 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs · Fantasy Points (4pt pass TD): ~340
Travis Kelce — TE · ADP ~68 · Draft Range: Round 7–9
The Kelce decline narrative has been overstated. Yes, he's no longer the automatic Round 2 pick he was from 2020–2023, but Kelce still commanded 95+ targets in 2025 and remained a red-zone weapon. In a tight end landscape where the drop-off after the top 3 is steep, Kelce offers a safe TE1 floor with weekly TE1 upside.
In PPR leagues, Kelce's target share and red-zone role make him a value in Rounds 7–9. If Brock Bowers and Trey McBride go in Rounds 3–4, Kelce becomes the best remaining TE value by a wide margin.
2026 Projection: 75 receptions, 850 yards, 7 TDs · Fantasy Points (PPR): ~190
Isiah Pacheco — RB · ADP ~47 · Draft Range: Round 4–6
Pacheco remains the lead back in Andy Reid's offense, and that's a role worth investing in. The Chiefs lean run-heavy in the red zone, and Pacheco has scored 8+ touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. His workload is secure — the Chiefs haven't added significant backfield competition.
Pacheco is a strong RB2 with RB1 weekly upside, especially in standard and half-PPR formats where his goal-line work shines. In full PPR, his limited receiving volume (30–35 catches) caps his ceiling slightly, making him more of a Round 5–6 pick.
2026 Projection: 1,050 rushing yards, 9 TDs, 35 receptions, 250 receiving yards · Fantasy Points (PPR): ~210
Xavier Worthy — WR · ADP ~85 · Draft Range: Round 8–10
After a rookie season where he flashed big-play ability, Worthy enters Year 2 as the Chiefs' primary deep threat. With Rashee Rice's legal situation creating uncertainty and Marquez Valdes-Scantling departed, Worthy could see 100+ targets in 2026.
Worthy is a classic high-upside WR3 with WR2 potential. His 4.21 speed creates weekly boom potential, and Mahomes' willingness to push the ball downfield makes Worthy a perfect late-round lottery ticket.
2026 Projection: 55 receptions, 800 yards, 6 TDs · Fantasy Points (PPR): ~145
Rashee Rice — WR · ADP ~110 · Draft Range: Round 10+ (Conditional)
Rice's fantasy value in 2026 depends entirely on his availability. If he misses the first 4–6 games due to suspension, he's a "draft and stash" candidate in the final rounds. When active, Rice was Mahomes' most reliable short-to-intermediate target in 2025.
Monitor Rice's situation throughout the preseason. If he's expected to miss fewer than 4 games, he's worth a Round 10–12 flier with WR2 upside upon return.
Kansas City Chiefs DST · ADP ~76 · Draft Range: Round 12–13
The Chiefs defense remains a streaming option rather than a set-and-forget unit. Steve Spagnuolo's scheme generates pressure, but the secondary has questions. Draft the Chiefs DST only in Round 13 or later, or stream them in favorable matchups during the season.
2026 Chiefs Fantasy Draft Strategy
Here's how we'd approach drafting Chiefs players in 2026:
- Early rounds (1–3): Avoid Mahomes. Invest in RB/WR premium talent instead.
- Middle rounds (4–7): Target Pacheco as your RB2 and Mahomes if you want QB stability.
- Late rounds (8–12): Kelce as your TE1, Worthy as a boom/bust WR3, Rice as a stash.
- Stacking strategy: A Mahomes + Kelce stack is viable in best-ball and high-scoring leagues. A Mahomes + Worthy stack is a cheaper tournament play.
Final Verdict
The Chiefs are no longer a "draft Mahomes in Round 1 and win" team in fantasy, but they're far from irrelevant. Pacheco and Kelce offer the best value, while Worthy provides late-round upside. Mahomes remains a quality QB1 — just not a premium early-round pick anymore.
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