The second stop of the RosterWatch Training Camp Tour took me to St. Joseph, MO, to see the Kansas City Chiefs on their first day of padded practice.

Practice ended about 30 minutes earlier than expected, limiting the evaluation period. Still, there were clear takeaways at quarterback, running back, and tight end. Let’s jump in.

Patrick Mahomes Looks Healthy

If an alien dropped down without knowing Mahomes had been injured, nothing about his movement would have given it away. He moved comfortably outside the pocket and played with his usual creativity.

• Mahomes opened team drills with Kenneth Walker beside him in the shotgun.
• His first completion went to Travis Kelce on a shallow crossing route.
• On one play, Mahomes rolled right, faked a pass to Kelce, completed a full spin while moving, and delivered the ball downfield. Watch it, here
• On the following snap, he connected with Jimmy Holiday for a 70-yard touchdown down the left sideline.
• Mahomes even pursued Walker downfield while attempting to make a block after the running back reversed field on a zone run.

Based on his movement and activity level, Mahomes looked more than prepared to play in Week 1 against the Broncos. The question is whether Kansas City’s available weapons can provide enough fantasy upside to make him a value at his current cost in Fantasy Drafts.

Backup Quarterback Competition

Justin Fields made several quality throws during 11-on-11 work and was having a solid practice before floating a deep pass that Xavier Nwankpa intercepted.

Rookie Garrett Nussmeier appeared more controlled and accurate during his opportunities. He replaced Fields during an early team period and completed a checkdown to rookie running back Emmett Johnson, multiple crossers to Andrew Armstrong, and Jared Wiley.

Fields produced more eye-catching moments, but Nussmeier operated the offense with better consistency. My view is that Nussmeier will overtake Fields on the depth chart sooner rather than later, maybe by mid-season.

Kenneth Walker Controls the Backfield

Walker handled a healthy workload with the starting offense. Brashard Smith was consistently the first running back to replace him.

• Walker opened team drills with Mahomes and remained the clear lead option.
• Smith was the first replacement and worked alongside both Mahomes and Fields.
• Walker and Smith initially accounted for approximately 40 percent of the running-back work apiece.
• Emari Demercado, Emmett Johnson, and Jadyn Ott divided the remaining opportunities with the second and third-team offenses.

Walker displayed his cutting ability when he stopped, reversed field, and accelerated toward the pylon on a zone run to the left, he was eventually caught before reaching the end zone, however. Hard to tell, but doesn’t seem like KWIII quite has the speed and burst he once did. Rookie defensive tackle Peter Woods met him in the backfield on the opening carry of an inside-run period, that was a fun play for the Rookie.

Emmett Johnson received limited work but showed elusiveness and burst when given opportunities. He is behind Brashard Smith and competing for the third running-back spot. Ott also made an impression by spinning through two defenders for a first down, but he barely touched the ball on Monday.

For fantasy purposes, Walker remains the back-to-target. Smith is the direct complementary option and potentially the most valuable handcuff. I would bet on Johnson catching Smith this season, but not anytime soon.

Limited Wide Receiver Evaluation

It was difficult to draw firm conclusions from the wide receivers because Xavier Worthy and Standout Rookie Cyrus Allen did not practice. Rashee Rice was also limited for most of the day, but did dress out.

Kansas City opened teamwork with Jalen Royals, Tyquan Thornton, and second-year receiver Andrew Armstrong alongside Mahomes.

In a later 12-personnel look, the alignment included:

• Jalen Royals in the slot
• Thornton at the X
• Noah Gray in-line
• Kelce as the move tight end

Armstrong was the first receiver to replace Thornton. With Worthy and Allen unavailable and Rice limited, Armstrong, Royals, and Thornton received the most valuable opportunities.

Draft Travis Kelce..

Kelce looked good and remained heavily involved with Mahomes. Even if this is his final NFL season, his current ADP does not reflect his potential role, the 10th round in Half-PPR is outrageous.

Would you be surprised if Travis Kelce out-targeted Tyler Warren this season? No. Would you be surprised if Kelce out-targeted Sam LaPorta? Tucker Kraft? No. That automatically makes Kelce’s 10th round price tag justifiable; you aren’t paying old school prices, but the lack in overall weaponry and Kelce’s clear early-season need to be dialed in is an easy payoff late in drafts.

Jared Wiley also deserves attention. The former TCU tight end rotated with all three quarterbacks and earned targets from Mahomes and Nussmeier. He looked smooth, long, and athletic throughout practice. Quietly I am moving him up in Dynasty.

Biggest Takeaways

• Patrick Mahomes moved normally, had a soft brace on, but under his leggings, he looks ready for Week 1.
• Kenneth Walker controlled the starting backfield, with Brashard Smith serving as the clear second option.
• Garrett Nussmeier was more controlled and accurate than Justin Fields overall.
• Xavier Worthy and Cyrus Allen were absent, while Rashee Rice stayed limited.
• Armstrong, Royals, and Thornton benefited from the depleted receiver room.
• Travis Kelce remains a strong fantasy value at his current draft position.