The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to make a big push during the final four games of the 2023 NFL season to give themselves a chance at the AFC's No. 1 seed. 

Fantasy football fans are also entering a pivotal part of their seasons with many fantasy football playoffs officially set to begin this week. With plenty of injuries mounting across the league, even the most savvy of fantasy managers are looking for an edge in the playoffs. 

Given the Chiefs' goals for the final stretch of the season, they could be a boon to those seeking to give themselves an advantage over the next several weeks. Here's a look at four players for Kansas City who are likely available on waivers and could help you emerge as a champion in your fantasy league: 

Must-have: RB Jerick McKinnon

Isiah Pacheco could miss his second consecutive week with a shoulder injury just as the fantasy football playoffs begin. 

Last season, McKinnon was a big-time fantasy football league winner, getting hot right at the end of the season with a multi-game stretch of receiving touchdowns. With the Kansas City offense fizzling, they could look to unleash McKinnon in the coming weeks. He hasn't seen much production this season due to what Chiefs' coaches describe as "load management." He's also still listed on the injury report with a groin injury after missing two consecutive games in Week 12 and Week 13. That said, it's getting to be a now-or-never moment for Kansas City. 

If he wasn't scooped up last week, McKinnon needs to be on your rosters. If you're in a bind Clyde Edwards-Helaire could also get a good chunk of the work if Pacheco sits again, but he doesn't quite have the upside that McKinnon has when it comes to a breakout performance.

Don't give up on: WR Kadarius Toney

After the penalty heard around the world against the Buffalo Bills in Week 14, it might seem prudent to give up on WR Kadarius Toney. I would hold off on that, at least for another few weeks. The Chiefs have made it abundantly clear that Toney has their full confidence following the egregious error last week. The comments from Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes have all been about building Toney back up and focusing on the path forward. 

The most encouraging comments, though. Those came from Chiefs TE Travis Kelce. 

"If we get the opportunity again, I’m gonna throw that s— right to his chest again," Kelce said on his podcast. "I got all the faith in the world in that dude. He's one of our best players. He's one of the best players we've got with the ball in his hands. You turn on the film, you watch what he does with the ball in his hands and you can't tell me you don't want that guy on your team, man. So everybody hating on KT right now, man, I’m not trying to hear that. You can f— miss me with it. I'm trusting in 1-9 every time he's out on the field." 

Don't be shocked if the team has some big plans for Toney in the opening game script this week to help him get past last week's game. 

Could help: WR Richie James 

In the first week of the season, James had 23 snaps and looked to be quite involved in the offensive game plan. Injury derailed that plan quickly, but he's been back in the lineup over the past three weeks. He earned his highest offensive snap total since Week 1 (11) just a week ago. It seems like he could reach the 15-20 snaps mark against the Patriots in Week 15.

If James can establish himself as a reliable target for Patrick Mahomes over the next few weeks, he could see even more action down the stretch with players like Skyy Moore and Marquez Valdes-Scantling struggling. 

There's also the fact that James is the starting punt and kick returner for Kansas City right now. If your fantasy league awards points for returns, he could amass some healthy yardage there. Dave Toub has deemed this time of the year as "return season." So, James should be able to rack up some yardage and potentially score some points on kick and punt returns.

Deeper leagues: WR Justyn Ross

Ross returned from suspension this week, but it's hard to say what his role will look like moving forward. Andy Reid cautioned that the team would ease the second-year receiver back into action, mainly focusing on his conditioning as the reason. 

That said, no position group has come under more fire than the wide receiver room in Kansas City. Ross saw high praise during training camp and the preseason, but he only had three receptions for 34 yards before his time on the Commissioner's Exempt List. Could the Chiefs throw him right into the lineup in a big role? I think it's more likely that they ramp him up and see if they can get him ready for a big role in the postseason. 

As a big-bodied receiver, he could even be good for a touchdown reception or two in the red zone over the final weeks of the season. 

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