Kadarius Toney DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney made an appearance in Thursday's preseason loss to the visiting Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium, reeling in two of his three passes for 26 yards in the loss. Toney's long gain of the night came on a 20-yard reception from backup quarterback Chris Oladokun in the first quarter on Thursday against Chicago. It was an important performance for Toney, who is fighting to keep his roster spot as a cut candidate on the Chiefs this summer after an utterly disastrous 2023 season. Even if the 25-year-old former first-round pick keeps his job in KC's receiving corps, he isn't likely to be anything more than a gadget player who is used sparingly in 2024.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that wide receiver Kadarius Toney (ankle) is dealing with an ankle injury at training camp. Injuries have followed Toney everywhere early in his career. It remains to be seen how serious his ankle injury is, but any time missed in camp could be detrimental to Toney's chances of earning a prominent role in KC's offense to begin the year. The 25-year-old former first-round pick of the New York Giants was a big letdown in 2023 in his first full year with the Chiefs, as he finished the regular season with just 27 receptions on 38 targets for 169 yards and one touchdowns in 13 games (two starts). Working as a returner on special teams might be where Toney makes his biggest impact in 2024 if he can stay healthy. Even if Rashee Rice opens the year on suspension, which is expected, Toney belongs on the waiver wire in fantasy.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney is getting plenty of repetitions with the team's projected starters early in training camp practices this week. Toney was also seen doing drills with the running backs this week, so the Chiefs clearly haven't given up on his talent despite a disappointing year in 2023. The 25-year-old former first-rounder missed more time due to injury last year, too, playing in only 13 games (two starts). Toney finished with 27 catches (38 targets) for just 169 yards and one touchdown. Rashee Rice is expected to be suspended at some point in 2024, but the additions of rookie first-rounder Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown figure to make things even more difficult for Toney to find a significant role in the Chiefs' offense. In most leagues, fantasy managers are going to want to see evidence of Toney taking the next step before putting him on their roster.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney was seen working as a running back during portions of the team's first training camp practice over the weekend. Toney had a disastrous 2023 season with the Chiefs, so perhaps the coaching staff is looking for creative ways to get the speedy wideout more involved this year. During wideout drills, Toney was present for 7-on-7 reps, alternating with the first-string offense and the third-string unit. Head coach Andy Reid didn't really give any clues to how the Chiefs might be using Toney differently this year. Not only does the former first-rounder need to show more in camp and the preseason this year in order to secure a roster spot, but he needs to stay healthy. The 25-year-old is currently on the outside looking in and is off the fantasy radar in single-year leagues.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore had a disappointing 2023 season and finished the year with a knee injury. Moore needs to re-establish his role within the offense, whether as a primary slot receiver or a trusted all-around receiver like seven-year veteran Justin Watson. The 23-year-old is likely to compete with Kadarius Toney, who also disappointed last year, for regular-season snaps if both players make the initial roster. If Moore is released or traded on roster cutdown day, it would create $1.29 million in salary cap space for the Chiefs with less than $500,000 in dead money, according to Over the Cap. It's saying a lot that the 23-year-old second-rounder in 2022 isn't a roster lock, even with Rashee Rice expected to serve a suspension. But he has just 43 receptions for 494 yards and one touchdown in his first two NFL seasons, and the Chiefs added Marquise Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy this offseason.