2016 Chiefs Roster: “Best to Worst” Position Groups

Simply listing the position groups is what you can find out anywhere on the net. So, I decided to give you my breakdown of the Kansas City Chiefs 2016 roster position groups from best to worst. The obvious (to me) first choice is the defensive line.

Defensive Linemen- Dontari Poe, Jaye Howard, Allen Bailey, Chris Jones, Nick Williams, Rakeem Nunez-Roches

This collection of defensive linemen may be the best in the history of the organization. With Dontari Poe coming off of a sub-par season because of back surgery, assuming he steps up his game because this is a contract year for him, and believe me, there will be a pot of gold at the end of this season’s rainbow… the leader of this line should not only excel like never before but he will have players who are better than ever before surrounding him. With rookie Chris Jones jumping into the mix and with his penetration abilities, while the Chiefs front seven may miss the presence of OLB Justin Houston, it may be less than what many have at first suspected because of Jones.

Jaye Howard was an absolute beast last year — a surprise beast — and pairing him with a healthy Poe and an under-appreciated Allen Bailey could very easily give the 2016 Kansas City Chiefs the best defensive line in all of football.

Running Backs- Jamaal Charles, Charcandrick West, Spencer Ware, Knile Davis, Anthony Sherman (FB)

On Friday Andy Reid said Jamaal Charles may need more time before he returns from the injury he suffered a season ago. Big whup! That’s like saying my Top Fuel funny car might be a tad short on gasoline when the distance of the race is ⅛ of a mile. Here’s another position group that may be the league’s best. Do they “need” to be the league’s best for this offense to purr like a funny car? Noooo! However, within the framework of this offense, every running back in this group can do all that will be asked of them including, pounding inside, bouncing outside, catching the ball proficiently in the flat as well as down field, making people miss, leaving would-be tacklers in the dust or running them over. These men have it all.

I would have kept Darrin Reaves instead of Knile Davis but special teams coach Dave Toub likely spoke up for Davis.

Tight Ends- Travis Kelce, Demetrius Harris, Ross Travis and James O’Shaughnessy

Kansas City’s tight end group should be what Andy Reid envisioned it to be when he first came to K.C.. Travis Kelce s the unquestioned leader of this group but Ross Travis has shown signs of becoming a Kelce clone. Two Kelce’s on one team would be enough to make any defensive coordinators hair stand on end but considering that Demetrius Harris looks like he may have a breakout season, the plot thickens… even “thickier.”

I would have kept Brian Parker over James O’Shaughnessy because I don’t see progress from Shag and Parker is not only a very good blocker but has shown progress in all parts of his game.

Inside Linebackers- Derrick Johnson, Justin March, Ramik Wilson, D.J. Alexander

With the loss of Josh Mauga this group have taken a hit. Maybe. Second-year walk-on Justin March is set to start next to Derrick Johnson and he’s been nothing short of excellent. However, I have concerns about March’s physical make-up and don’t think he’s big enough to take the pounding that position takes. In fact, that position doesn’t just take a pounding, it’s supposed to dish out the poundings. March is excellent from sideline to sideline so we’ll see if this is a problem or not. With more teams passing more, maybe March will be great this year.

Anytime you have Derrick Johnson playing in the middle, that pairing must be considered one of the best positions on the team. Period.

Safeties- Ron Parker, Daniel Sorensen, Eric Murray, Eric Berry (exempt until Saturday at which time another roster move must be made to make room for him)

With Eric Berry back and starter Ron Parker still here the big questions will come in depth and the experience of that depth. Daniel Sorenson is still developing and Eric Murray is a convert from cornerback in college.

It’s a bit surprising that a veteran didn’t stick here. John Dorsey has brought in a veteran in each of the past three years and those players have played very well. However, like at ILB, anytime you have a Pro Bowl Safety like Eric Berry lining up in this pair, they should be considered one of the better position groups.

Quarterbacks- Alex Smith, Nick Foles and Tyler Bray

The Chiefs quarterback group as a whole looks stronger than it’s been since Joe Montana was here in 1994. Alex Smith is peaking and… Nick Foles is peeking over his shoulder. Tyler Bray won the battle for “thirds” and if rookie Kevin Hogan clears waivers he should end up on the Chiefs practice squad.

The excitement for Chiefs fans here this year should come in seeing what QB Alex Smith can get accomplished in the air including a deep ball passing game.

Offensive Linemen- Eric Fisher, Mitchell Schwartz, Mitch Morse, “Lawrence” Duvernay-Tardif, Parker Ehinger, Zach Fulton, Jah Reid and Jordan Devey

The absence of something can bring you joy sometimes. Yes, it’s the absence of chatter about “a crumby offensive line” that has been a refreshing surprise during this preseason. With Eric Fisher looking like we’d hoped three years ago… and Mitchell Schwartz looking “The Same As It Ever Was” (great!)… and Mitch Morse returning to form… and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif taking a big step forward… the only potential hole right now looks like it could be rookie LG Parker Ehinger.

For some inexplicable reason, ever since Andy Reid has come to Kansas City, the Chiefs have had nothing less than a wide open four-lane bridge to the QB at left Guard with nary a road block in sight. Parker Ehinger looks like he could either end… or extend… that tradition. We’ll find out soon enough unless a Guard of note is brought in to fill that position. Josh Sitton anyone? BTW, Sitton was All-Pro in 2013, 2014, and 2015 so it’s not like he’s lost a step. No, just his income. His base guaranteed salary in 2016 would have been 6.15M.

Cornerbacks- Marcus Peters, Phillip Gaines, Steven Nelson, D.J. White, Keivarae Russell, Kenneth Acker

Second-year Pro Bowler Marcus Peters will lead the corners. The trade for Kenneth Acker could work out well here. He assuredly knows he’s coming to a team with needs at cornerback so, once he is up to snuff on the scheme he should get significant playing time. Phillip Gaines’ has the ability to be a very good corner but it’s a wait-and-see situation. Steven Nelson has looked good… and bad. The others are unknowns so we’ll see how DC Bob Sutton pieces these players together to create the kinds of coverage that will allow the front seven to get to the QB.

Wide Receivers- Jeremy Maclin, Chris Conley, Albert Wilson, Tyreek Hill, Demarcus Robinson and De’Anthony Thomas

I was at first thrilled that John Dorsey has traded Rod Streater away because I thought he had a player in mind to sign. If that still happens then I will once again feel favorable about this trade. However, by sending Streater packing he has essentially returned the WR corp to the place it was when the 2015 season ended. Bringing players like Mike Williams and Rod Streater in gave this wide receiving corp a shot in the arm and provided potential playmakers. When Jeremy Maclin went out in the playoffs last year there was no one to step up and take the responsibility of “primary playmaker” or be “the” WR who QB Alex Smith could depend on to get open every play.

I’m not so sure the Chiefs aren’t right back where they started with this group.

Outside Linebackers- Tamba Hali, Dee Ford, Frank Zombo, Dezman Moses, Dadi Nicolas

Talk about unknowns? This groups should be renamed, “The Unknowns.” Tamba Hali’s health and return to prowess? Unknown. Dee Ford’s ability to do half the job of Justin Houston? Unknown (many may tell you it’s already “known” that he can’t). Dezman Moses vs. first teamers? Unknown. Rookie Dadi Nicolas? Unknown.

DC Bob Sutton will likely be using some odd and exotic blitzes to free up his other players to get to the quarterback and using his OLBs to merely apply pressure if possible. While what this group has shown in terms of applying pressure has been a “close-but-no-cigar” proposition in the preseason, once the regular season begins, we’ll see if they can literally and figuratively “turn the corner” and make a difference.

Unrated: Special Teams- Cairo Santos: place-kicker, Dustin Colquitt: punter, James Winchester: long snapper

Dustin Colquitt remains a Chiefs player while his brother Britton was cut by John Elway from the Denver Broncos in a salary cap move. Dustin remains one of the best kickers in the game but you might expect a similar scenario to his brother’s in the coming year. I’m actually a bit surprised it hasn’t happened already.

There you have it Chiefs faithful, my position groups from best to worst (or should I use the words, “least-best” instead of worst). What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Does this help identify any possible weaknesses on the roster?