Chiefs RBs Damien Williams and Carlos Hyde’s respective fantasy stocks received strong boosts following the 2019 Draft. The team gave their duo major votes of confidence and avoided any major backfield additions, nabbing only “change of pace” RB Darwin Thompson in Round Six. As such, Williams remains firmly in the driver’s seat of perhaps the most valuable backfield gig in all of fantasy football. Last season in this role, Williams scored 10 TDs in only six weeks while averaging over 22 FPs per game, a pace that trailed only Todd Gurley. Though Hyde remains a real threat, Williams’ Top-10 RB upside is much clearer now… and his 40+ ECR is all the more insulting.
Entering the offseason, Chiefs GM Brett Veach labeled this backfield “Williams’ job to lose.” Furthermore, he hinted Williams’ workhorse usage was no fluke, gushing:
“He just needed an opportunity, and when the opportunity presented itself he kind of took it and ran with it, and that’s why we extended him. He’s always been a talented player. He can run, catch, block, he can really do everything.”
This all felt like classic “Combine Coachspeak,” but seems more genuine after Kansas City added minimal competition. Yes, Hyde’s bruising rushing style could lead to GL or even early-down work. But Williams was plenty efficient with his scoring chances, and offers more versatility to better-fit the Andy Reid three-down mold.
Ultimately, the fantasy play is to buy both backs at their heavily discounted prices which don’t reflect the role’s insane upside. Even possibly without Tyreek Hill, this offense should be among the league’s most potent. Hell, maybe the backs inherit an even greater target share. Ultimately, whoever ends up being fed here should be a true Top-7 RB1. The current cost of admission is the 40th (Williams) and 175th (Hyde) picsk. Buy the entire backfield, gain the RB1. Both rank significantly higher on my latest 2019 Fantasy Football Big Board.
