Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray figures to handle increased volume with the team resting key players in Week 18 versus the Los Angeles Chargers. Patrick Mahomes and Isiah Pacheco (quadricep, shoulder) are both expected to be sidelined, and it's likely that Kelce will have a drastically reduced workload, too. With Kelce earning fewer opportunities, Gray should handle additional snaps and targets. He's not nearly a reliable option in a typical 12-team league, though he does rank as a fringe TE2 this week.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (quadricep, shoulder) is not expected to play in Week 18 versus the Los Angeles Chargers, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He had been listed as questionable. Rapoport's post seemed to indicate that Pacheco may be active but only used on an emergency basis, putting him behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire and La'Mical Perine on the Chiefs' depth chart. The former ranks as a mid-range RB2 option in most fantasy leagues this week.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Carson Wentz will start for the team in Week 18 with Matthew Stafford resting for the playoffs. Wentz will make his first start in over a year when he threw three interceptions in a loss against the Cleveland Browns. He now faces the top-seed San Francisco 49ers, who will be short-handed defensively. Considering their clinching of the playoffs, the Niners could rest players or play them cautiously on Sunday. Factoring in the Rams' aggressive pass attack and Wentz's ability to throw the ball downfield, he is worth a DFS play or a desperate Week 18 start.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. has a chance to end on a high note what has easily been his least effective season in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Chargers. In nine games over time also with the New York Jets, Hardman has cobbled together nine catches on 13 targets for 47 scoreless yards. Rashee Rice (hamstring) will take a seat on Sunday, with Travis Kelce likely operating on a shortened snap count to boot. Hardman returned to run two routes in last Sunday's home win over the Cincinnati Bengals after a five-game hiatus due to surgery for a sprained thumb, but he could be forced into an amplified role in his second contest back on the field. The speedy 25-year-old is a candidate to frequently occupy three-receiver sets for head coach Andy Reid in the regular-season finale, but Hardman is still a low-floor fantasy bet given his weak production overall.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson looks set for an expanded role in the regular-season finale versus the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs have ruled out top wideout Rashee Rice (hamstring) for Week 18, and Travis Kelce probably won't be out there for his usual amount of playing time. 2023 has easily been Watson's most productive season, banking career-high figures in targets (52), catches (27), yards (460), and touchdowns (three). The 27-year-old's calling card is his ability as a vertical threat, ranking second in the league in average yards of target distance (17.8) and fifth in yards per reception (17.0). Watson has played just 52.3% of K.C.'s offensive snaps this year, but he could be in line for his largest workload as a dart-throw DFS option with the team shorthanded on Sunday.