The San Diego Chargers will have two primary goals when they take on the Chiefs on Monday Night Football: get an early lead and stop the Chiefs’ running game.

While the Chiefs will definitely try to establish the running game with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, one player they know will give the Chargers defense problems will be rookie wide receiver Dexter McCluster.

For fantasy owners who took a late-round flyer on the dynamic rookie from Ole Miss, they may want to take a hard look at starting him in week one.

With corners Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason, the Chargers defense matches up well opposite Chiefs receivers Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers. But when it comes to covering McCluster out of the slot, the Chargers will struggle to find someone that can keep up with the fleet-footed rookie. Perhaps the best candidate for the job is rookie backup safety Darrell Stuckey, and he should struggle to match McCluster stride-for-stride.

While Charles is the Chiefs' best offensive player and should get at least 15-20 touches, McCluster will be the Kansas City's big-play threat on offense and its next-best fantasy option in the season opener.

Expect at least five passes thrown McCluster's way, since he will likely be covered one-on-one by a linebacker or safety. If he does well, expect him to be one of the most sought-after free agents in fantasy leagues where he wasn’t drafted.

-- JAMES ADKINS
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