After acquiring Alex Smith in a franchise-altering move prior to free agency, Kansas City added a couple of low-profile signings in the first 24 hours of widespread player movement. Anthony Fasano was inked to complement Tony Moeaki at tight end, while the Chiefs poached Donnie Avery from Indianapolis to run clear-out routes for Dwayne Bowe.
Fasano might be slightly lower profile but is more interesting. Bringing little as a receiver – he ranked 36th among tight ends with 0.86 yards per route last season – Fasano has nonetheless been a traditional PFF favorite. 2012 was the first year in the PFF era that the former Dolphin failed to finish in the top seven of the TE rankings. (He ranked No. 1 in 2008.) A vicious run blocker from 2008 to 2011, the Chiefs will be hoping he returns to form in that area after a down 2012. Fasano played 921 snaps last season, 14 fewer than Chiefs' incumbent Tony Moeaki.
Donnie Avery enjoyed a superficial resurgence in 2011 due to Andrew Luck, Bruce Arians, and the Colts' lack of depth at receiver. He finished as WR43 despite running the sixth most routes in the league (643). Needless to say, his yards per route (1.22) and fantasy points per snap (0.15) rivaled the worst receivers in the league.
Fantasy Impact
Neither player should be drafted onto fantasy squads next season. Both could develop into low-end waiver wire acquisitions when injuries and byes thin the field.
Their signings will impact the fortunes of other Chiefs. Jamaal Charles sees a slight bump due to the potential re-emergence of Fasano as a lethal run blocker. He could also benefit very tangentially from Avery. Kansas City hasn’t had anybody to stretch the defense vertically during Charles' tenure.
Tony Moeaki and Jon Baldwin see their tenuous fantasy values crater further. Chiefs fans should still be hoping the former Pioli picks earn the majority of snaps, but it seems less likely today than it did yesterday.
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