Kenneth Walker III could be a 'franchise-altering player' for Chiefs
Yahoo Sports fantasy analysts Josh Norris and Hayden Winks discuss why the new Chiefs running back is a perfect fit in Andy Reid's offense and one of fantasy's best values this season. Check out the full conversation on "Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh and Hayden" - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , YouTube or wherever you listen .
Video Transcript
Well, as you look at the history of Andy Reid, we have absolute bell cows catching the ball in the backfield.
You have Brian Westbrook to Staley, LeSean McCoy, Jamaal Charles.
I think there's a little bit of Shady McCoy to Kenneth Walker.
They have a three-year, $43 million contract, $28 million guaranteed.
That was their move of the off-season, was to get him, on offense.
I think they're gonna completely change what this offense is gonna look like.
They're gonna be way more understanding than they ever have been.
They're gonna be way more running back between the tackles focused than they ever have before.
Andy Reid is excellent in the screen game.
I think that the screens have traditionally been going to the wide receivers recently, but that's because they have not had a dynamic running back.
There's no reason why Kenneth Walker can't be one of the best running backs in the screen game if you've seen him out in the open space.
It Right now, it's Emmet Johnson behind him, Rachaad Smith.
Right.
Like, these are, like, zero investment, smaller players.
I think Kenneth Walker's going to be a bell cow.
Whenever Andy Reid has had a bell cow, they've been, like, a top three, top five fantasy scorer.
We've never seen Patrick Mahomes with this level of running back before.
I'm very curious to see how it works, and I think that all the trickeration, the flip stuff near the goal line, I don't think they're gonna have to do that.
They're gonna run it right behind Creed Humphrey and let Kenneth Walker cook, and I think that he's gonna have an excellent season.
Yeah.
One beat writer in Pete Sweeney said that the Chiefs view Ken Walker III as, quote, "A franchise-altering player."
That's good enough for me, you know?
Yes.
Ken Walker III has averaged 17 and a half fantasy points per game.
Over the 26 games, he has reached 60% of snaps.
I'll put it down on the table now, I think K9's gonna reach 60% of snaps- Yes in every single game he plays this season, you know?
That was an issue previously in Seattle, but as we saw once we got to the postseason, especially the Super Bowl, when you give Ken Walker III the football a lot, good things happen.
They were 20th in explosive carries last year, I believe the Chiefs were 20th.
10th in yards before contact per attempt, but 32nd in rush yards after contact per attempt.
Look up in the definition, somebody who creates yards on their own.
That is Ken Walker III, and, I can't wait to see him in this offense.
They are, like, tailoring everything around him here.
