Marquez Valdes-Scantling News

After a breakout effort during the AFC Championship win over the Bengals, recording six catches for 116 yards and a touchdown, the deep threat was held in check against the Eagles. He closed out the playoffs with seven catches for 122 yards and a pair of scores after compiling 42 grabs for 687 yards and a pair of touchdowns during the regular season. MVS' deal with the Chiefs extends through the 2024 campaign, so he should will likely retain a similar role in 2023.

The talented speedster put together his best yardage total as a Chief yet and produced his second touchdown in as many weeks with a 19-yard scoring grab with 4:15 remaining in the third quarter. Valdes-Scantling's yardage tally was also a team-high figure, and thanks in part to in-game injuries to JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), Mecole Hardman (pelvis) and Kadarius Toney (ankle), his target tally also tied Travis Kelce's for tops on Kansas City. MVS could be headed for another busy day in Super Bowl LVII versus the Eagles in two weeks' time, not only because of his field-stretching capability, but due to the potential absence or limitations of some of his fellow wideouts as well.

Valdes-Scantling compiled three or fewer catches for the fifth straight game, didn't top 28 receiving yards in the final five weeks and had just one touchdown to his name all season. The deep threat didn't really live up to what the Chiefs were aiming for when they signed him to a three-year contract before the season, though he did compile a career-high 42 catches and fell just three yards short of his career-high receiving yardage total with 687. MVS also drew 13 targets combined between the final two regular-season contests, so there is a chance he could make an impact in the postseason if he and Patrick Mahomes can connect on a deep shot.

There were numerous occasions where Valdes-Scantling had a chance to make a big play but was ultimately unable to connect with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. It's at least an encouraging sign to see the deep threat drawing his most targets since Week 7, but it didn't turn into much tangible fantasy production. Valdes-Scantling could be an interesting deep fantasy option in some postseason leagues, but he doesn't possess much fantasy value in regular redrafts at this point.

Valdes-Scantling was a complete non-factor in the contest, and played fewer offensive snaps than fellow wideouts JuJu Smith-Schuster (44) and Justin Watson (39). In fact, the veteran's 23 snap total was his lowest of the season. Valdes-Scantling has been up-and-down so far this season, as Patrick Mahomes is known to spread the ball around to several pass catchers. With that said, being a part of the Chiefs aerial attack certainly allows for great potential on any given week. In Week 17, the Chiefs host the Broncos, who allowed Valdes-Scantling to catch just one pass for 20 yards. The 28-year-old speedster will be difficult to trust for fantasy purposes.

The speedy wideout recorded a touchdown for the first time since Week 10 and only his second time all season on an impressive sliding four-yard grab on the right side of the end zone with 14 seconds remaining in the first half. Otherwise, MVS once again had a modest role on what was a prolific day for the Chiefs' air attack, posting his third sub-30-yard receiving day for the fourth time in the last seven games. Valdes-Scantling will next take aim at an inconsistent Seahawks secondary in a Week 16 home matchup on Saturday afternoon.