Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Has Fantasy Value in Week 1

The San Diego Chargers will have two primary goals when they take on the Chiefs on Monday Night Football: Get an early lead and stop the Chiefs’ running game.

While the Chiefs will definitely try to establish the running game with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, one player they know will give the Chargers defense problems will be rookie wide receiver Dexter McCluster.

Fantasy owners who took a late-round flier on the dynamic rookie from Ole Miss may want to take a hard look at starting him in Week 1.

With corners Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason, the Chargers' defense matches up well opposite Chiefs’ receivers Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers. However, when it comes to covering McCluster out of the slot, the Chargers will struggle to find someone that can keep up with the fleet-footed rookie.

Perhaps the best candidate for the job is rookie backup safety Darrell Stuckey, and he should struggle keeping up with McCluster.

While Charles is the Chiefs' best offensive player and should get at least 15-20 touches for 100 combined yards, McCluster will be the Chiefs big-play threat on offense and next best fantasy option in Week 1.

McCluster should get the ball in his hands five to 10 times on offense, and since he will likely be covered one-on-one by a linebacker of safety, he could quickly turn any one of those touches into a touchdown.

If he does, expect him to be one of the most sought-after free-agent pickups in Week 2 in fantasy leagues where he wasn’t drafted.