Spencer Ware Remains Top Fantasy Back for Chiefs Despite Charcandrick West Signing

Cover Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

It's been a bit of a tumultuous week for the Kansas City Chiefs. While sitting at the No. 1 seed in the AFC, Kansas City released star running back Kareem Hunt due to a leaked video of an assault from February. Suddenly, the Chiefs were without their top option in the backfield and someone was going to have to fill that role.

While the Chiefs have a few talented backs on the roster, it looks like Spencer Ware has emerged as the top replacement for Hunt.

Just to give 23 routes a little context; Last week CMC ran 30, Saquon Barkley ran 29, Ezekiel Elliot ran 26, James White ran 21, and Austin Ekeler ran 19.
— Ryan Hodge (@RyanHodge) December 3, 2018

Ware finished the game with 14 rushes for 47 yards and a touchdown, he also had one target and one reception for five yards. So while the actual receiving numbers were not there, he had far more chances than any other back. Look for that to continue even while the Chiefs look for more depth at the position.

The #Chiefs are expected to sign former RB Charcandrick West, sources say. He knows the playbook and will fit right in, filling the void created on the roster by Kareem Hunt. My understanding is FA RB CJ Anderson had a really good workout and is ready if needed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 3, 2018

There's no telling what West might do, but Ware should still clearly be the No. 1 option, even though he now has some familiar competition.

Ware hasn't been that productive this year due to Hunt's presence, but he was fantastic in 2017. He had 214 rushes for 914 yards and three touchdowns. So far in 2018 he only has 36 rushes for 171 yards and two touchdowns, but those numbers will grow down the stretch.

If you were able to snag Ware off the waiver wire once the Hunt news broke, then you're incredibly lucky going into the playoffs -- Ware is the Chiefs' RB1 and will continue to be for the rest of the season.

As for West, his best season was in 2015 when he replaced an injured Ware. He ran for over 600 yards and 4 TDs that season. He's also been a valuable pass-catching back for the Chiefs in the past and his familiarity with the offense is a real boon to his ability. But unless Ware gets injured, West's value is low.

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Ian McCafferty is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Ian McCafferty also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username itmccaff. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.