KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM AN NFL TEAM INSIDER FIELDS KEY FANTASY QUESTIONS

Do you expect Isiah Pacheco to emerge as the workhorse back for Kansas City?

By last season’s end, Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon were playing roughly equal snaps — a trend that seems likely to continue in 2023. Pacheco will continue to see early-down reps, with McKinnon featuring more heavily in pass sets, given his receiving and pass-protection prowess.

Who will emerge as the leading WR for the Chiefs?

Go ahead and book Marquez Valdes-Scantling for around 40 receptions and 650 yards with a handful of touchdowns. Skyy Moore also will take on a bigger role with the departures of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman Jr. via free agency. Second-round pick Rashee Rice could have some big games and surprising touchdown production. A strong contender? Kadarius Toney — with the caveat that he must stay healthy. Toney could emerge as Patrick Mahomes’ favorite and most productive WR target with a full offseason to absorb Andy Reid’s offense.

At 33, will Travis Kelce produces his eighth straight 1,000-yard season?

Kelce’s production tends to dip slightly in odd-numbered years after otherworldly even-numbered years — like his 110-catch, 1,338-yard, 12-touchdown 2022 season. But Kelce, who turns 34 in October, has aged like fine wine and still has enough tread on the tires to crank out another 1,000-yard season. The Chiefs know that Kelce, who has been remarkably durable since a knee injury cost him his rookie season, needs to manage his reps to protect his body. They also know how critical the future Hall of Famer is to the offense, so for now he shows no signs of slowing — and Kansas City will be careful to keep it that way.

ISIAH PACHECO