Chris Kelsay

44-Year-Old Defensive EndDE

Free Agent

2023 Defense Stats

TCKL

SACKS

0.0

INT

2024 Projections

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SACKS

INT

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2023 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for Chris Kelsay in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Height 6'4"

Weight 275

DOB 10/31/1979

College Nebraska

Drafted 2nd Rd 2003 #48 Overall

DEFree Agent

Neck

February 27, 2013

Kelsay (neck) has decided to retire from football, according to BuffaloBills.com.

ANALYSIS
Injuries have started to catch up with the defensive lineman, who's been in the league and with the Bills since being the team's second-rounder in 2003. He'll finish his career with 440 total tackles, 32.5 sacks, and three interceptions.

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2023 Chris Kelsay Split Stats

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Past Fantasy Outlooks

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Kelsay was used as a productive defensive end for his first seven seasons with the Bills, but for whatever reason the team moved him to linebacker for the last two seasons. Even though he picked up 72 tackles in 2010, the move was generally viewed as a failure with Kelsay typically lacking the skill set to seal the outside rush. He's back at defensive end with Dave Wannstedt as the new coordinator, though right now he may be on the outside looking in for a starting DE spot, with Mario Williams an obvious choice and Mark Anderson the likely guy for the other spot. That said, Kelsay has value here and even if he doesn't beat out Anderson in training camp, he'll still see the field a lot. That said, there are at least four better IDP options on Buffalo's defensive line.

Even though the Bills have several new linebackers in the mix this season, Kelsay doesn't face any experienced competition outside and is the very likely starter opposite Shawn Merriman. Kelsay appeared to struggle with his move from DE to OLB last season, but seemed to figure it out more as the season went on. He probably doesn't qualify any more as a DE in your league, which was a nice bonus last season, but he's probably good for 70-80 tackles and 3-5 sacks in this defense. That's underwhelming from the linebacker spot, though there's room for a little more if he truly has figured out the team's 3-4 hybrid defense over the last year.

Kelsay will transition from DE to stand-up outside linebacker in the Bills' new 3-4 defense. While we wouldn't draft Kelsay as a fantasy linebacker because he's so new to the position and there's no guarantee he'll be on the field on all downs, he does have some value if he still qualifies at DE in your league. He's always been a decent tackler and those numbers could end up in the 60-80 range if he's exclusively playing the more tackle-happy linebacker position.

Kelsay finished the 2008 season with 47 tackles, two sacks and five passes defensed. The two sacks are extremely disappointing considering Kelsay was an exclusive starter much of the year once Aaron Schobel was injured, as normally Kelsay shares time with Ryan Denney at DE. The Bills have given him a big money contract, yet he only has 4.5 sacks over the last two seasons. He's not a good IDP play in 2009 with Schobel back to better health and pass-rushing Aaron Maybin being the team's top draft choice, and Kelsay could lose playing time to Denney, who had a decent season subbing full time for Schobel. He's good at certain things, but at this stage of his career he's become an effective, expensive rotational guy.

Kelsay will receive plenty of playing time for the Bills, but is unlikely to match career highs of 5.5 sacks and 62 tackles set in 2006. Why? The two biggest factors on Kelsay's production will be his return from ankle surgery and how the platoon with Ryan Denney pans out.

Kelsay is coming off of a breakout season with 5.5 sacks and 61 total tackles. However, he still shares some time with Ryan Denney and even though he's the better side of that platoon, the Bills do a lot of rotating. So there's probably a cap to what he can do for you. Basically, he'll be reliable because he's speedy enough and is pretty relentless in his effort, but he's more of a 5-8 sack guy, not a 10-plus guy.

Kelsay finally kept a starting job in 2005, but his sack total of 2.5 was a disappointment. Even though the Bills are starting to get a little value out of the high motor player and former second-round draft choice, he hasn't shown anything yet that would make him attractive in an IDP league and is still competing with Ryan Denney for some of his playing minutes.

Kelsay competed with Ryan Denney for starting time opposite Aaron Schobel to start the 2004 season, and ended up winning the defensive end job outright. After being pushed around as a rookie in 2003, the Nebraska product started to come into his own at the end of last season. Kelsay had 4.5 sacks in 2004, and should be good for 5-6 this season.

Although Kelsay was the only Buffalo rookie to play in every game, his impact was minimal in 2003. The Bills thought they got a steal with Kelsay in the second round in the 2003 Draft, but it looks like they'll have to wait another year to find out. He played in different line spots, spelling the regulars, and seems to have enough energy to be a decent pass rusher if he develops well, but his lack of size is worrisome. No fantasy value yet until he starts getting more serious time.

More Fantasy News

DEBuffalo Bills

Neck

February 11, 2013

Kelsay has been cleared to return from a partially torn ligament in his neck, which forced him to end the 2012 season on injured reserve, the Associated Press reports.