Zane was born in Joplin, Missouri and raised in Edna, Kansas. He graduated from Labette County High School and played a decade of football through his senior year of high school. Zane was raised a Chiefs fan — just like his parents — and plans to move to K.C. soon after finishing his degree, where he has hopes of starting a career in sports writing. Zane’s currently a student at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, pursuing a degree in Sports Journalism and it’s been his dream of working closely to the world of football since he started playing the game in the 3rd grade. I’m excited to have Zane join our team of writers here at ArrowheadOne. Please help me give a warm welcome to Zane Sweeten. –Laddie Morse, Editor, ArrowheadOne
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By Zane Sweeten
The regular season for our Kansas City Chiefs is fast approaching and training camp has everyone eager for another season of dominant Chiefs football. But with the departure of some key players from last year, including an almost complete refiguring of an offensive line that collapsed in the Super Bowl, a lot of pressure rides on some new players to breakthrough and show major improvement to truly contribute. After some research, I’ve come up with the three that I believe are primed for a breakout season.
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Mecole Hardman
Mecole Hardman is primed to receive a lot more touches with the departure of Sammy Watkins in free agency, and with teammates such as Tyreek Hill saying at training camp that he sees a notable improvement to Hardman’s maturity. All signs are pointing to Mecole taking that important step forward everyone was hoping for last year. Training camp has shown a significant improvement in route running from Hardman.
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With Mecole being as young as he is, Coach Reid will want to start Mecole out on a good note, so in Week 1 and Week 2 I believe we will see a lot of what we call “manufactured touches,” such as jet sweeps and bubble screens, to get him out in space where Hardman thrives. Hardman could solidify himself as the true number two for the foreseeable future with a breakout season this year. In 8 games started and 16 games played in the regular season last year Mecole caught 41 balls on 62 targets for 560 yards and 4 touchdowns, only averaging 9 yards per target and 35 yards per game receiving. We should see a significant increase in these numbers this year as he receives more targets.
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Willie Gay Jr.
Willie Gay Jr. is a young player that intrigued everyone when Brett Veach and company selected him in the second-round last year. While we saw glimpses during the COVID season of the great player a lot of fans believe he can be, we also saw a lot of mistakes, which were understandable for a rookie with no offseason to speak of. With a full offseason and the experience from last year he can limit some of those mistakes and become a true game changer.
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Gay should be a starter on the weak side Week 1, even if all of the mistakes are not fully corrected, he’s athletic enough to make up for it and get back to his spot, especially for someone that has such a high football IQ. Gay will have to work on his coverage skills as he was never really tasked with coverage in college, at Mississippi State. Although another way he could be used, which isn’t being talked about much is, Gay could become Spagnuolo’s new blitz tool. See the piece by Laddie Morse called, “Improving the Blitz and Rush in 2021” in which he talks about LB Nick Bolton becoming a blitz missile.
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Coming off a disappointing year for a Chiefs pass rush, Spagnuolo will be looking for new creative ways to bring more pressure on opposing Quarterbacks, this would be a role that Willie Gay would excel in with his speed and the power he brings in his hits. Although he was not asked to do it very often at Mississippi State, he could become someone who could make a difference in coverage. With how quick he is he could keep up with quicker, more agile tight ends, such as Darren Waller who has quickly risen to becoming one of the top Tight Ends in the league for the Las Vegas Raiders and a primary target for QB Derek Carr.
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In 8 games started and 16 games played last year Willie Gay had 39 combined tackles, 29 solo and 10 assisted. As well as 3 tackles for loss, 1 QB hit, 1 forced fumble, and 1 sack. While in the pass game he tallied 3 passes defended. These numbers could absolutely skyrocket if Gay is utilized correctly, and he continues to improve.
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Trey Smith
Now for my pick that would have been surprising before training camp, but it might surprise a little less now with the amount of success he is having at camp… and that would be Trey Smith. Smith was a dominate guard at Tennessee University, but didn’t practice much, we now know that was because of a medical issue with his heart. Although that’s corrected now and under control, if Chiefs Training Camp is anything to go by, it’s looks like he’ll be a starter. Smith has taken the majority of the first team snaps at Right Guard, and with Kyle Long being out with an injury, it looks like he’s not letting go. He’s very athletic and has shown he’s quick in space, with some extremely powerful legs and he can get up under just about anyone’s shoulder pads and drive them where he wants to. Trey Smith a great run blocker and if he gets the opportunity he’ll drive a defender hard and then right into the ground… then move on to the next level.
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Negatives: From what I studied on tape from his time at Tennessee and at the Senior Bowl, he dominates finesse moves, but does struggle with power moves at times. This could present a problem at the next level playing against the NFL’s best interior offensive linemen. Although Smith does seem to be improving on this front as he has held his own in camp against the likes of Chris Jones, Jarran Reed, and Derrick Nnadi, which is no small feat for a Rookie. He does struggle being beat inside on occasion in pass sets due to being too aggressive, but with Joe Thuney occupying the other side of the Center, I doubt he will be left on an island very often.
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Trey Smith could easily end up being the steal of the 2021 draft after being taken in the 6th round, with the 226th overall pick, most of that slide is attributed to his heart issue. Trey Smith also possesses that “mean streak” you hear offensive line coaches talk about being so valuable.
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There you have it, my three Chiefs who will break out in the 2021 season. What do you think?
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Zane Sweeten — ArrowheadOne
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