Laddie Morse
With a team that has just returned from a Super Bowl victory, and with the lingering smell of party still in the air caused by a ring ceremony from the aforementioned Super Bowl victory… it seems crazy to even suggest that the Kansas City Chiefs even have a weakest link. However, the team will boast two new — to them — Left Tackles, a pass rusher, and a new Safety, plus they lost two of their top 6 wideouts. So, focusing on their weakest links isn’t so over the top after all.
Let’s begin by taking a look at their starters and backup players (as provided by ESPN and revised by ArrowheadOne). We’ll begin with Offense (those listed in green are the starters):
.
O-F-F-E-N-S-E
.
.
Quarterbacks
Mahomes and Gabbert are keepers. With the league allowing a third stringer like Shane Buechele to suit up on game days. If the Chiefs don’t have Patrick Mahomes for 4 or 5 games, that’s going to put the season in jeopardy.
Running Backs
If the Chiefs have Pacheco go down with an injury for several games, would they be any different than they were when CEH went down last year or the year before. While both David Bell and myself were in favor of taking a different RB when they chose a RB in 2020, the diminishing nature of the RB position, has continued to this day.
.
.
Reid seems to be able to plug any RB into his system and become highly successful with him. I expect him to do the same in coming years.
Wide Receivers
Kadarius Toney, MVS, Rashee Rice, Skyy Moore, Richie James and Justin Watson are not locks to make the team. However, whoever does fill out the WR roster, it’s clear that as long as Patrick Mahomes is running the show behind center, those WR will make major contributions. While many are speculating that the Chiefs will sign a high profile WR — someone like DeAndre Hopkins — even if that doesn’t happen, the weakest link will not be a WR in 2023.
Tight Ends
Some have called TE Travis Kelce a WR, and that’s not far from the truth. TE extraordinaire Travis Kelce said recently that the 6-foot-3 TE, Noah Gray, has undergone a growth spurt this offseason:
.
.
If Gray has indeed undergone a growth spurt as Kelce has stated, it raises the question of who will serve as the teams Full Back? A 6-6, or 6-7 FB, probably won’t do.
Offensive Line
If the Chiefs Starting Right Tackle — Jawaan Taylor — goes down with an injury, either Lucas Niang or Wanya Morris will stop up and no great loss will be experienced by the team.
If RG Trey Smith goes down with an injury, Nick Allegretti should be able to step in with little to no loss in performance.
If OC Creed Humphrey goes out for several games, he will be missed. No doubt about it. However, if either Nick Allegretti or Austin Reiter can step in and replace him, the OL shouldn’t miss a beat.
If Joe Thuney is out for any length of time, the whole OL will suffer. He is a stabilizing force for the team. However, with Nick Allegretti and Darian Kinnard available, the OL should survive just fine.
If Donovan Smith goes down to injury for more than one or two games, we have no idea how well rookie Wanya Mooris will do as his replacement, and while many are saying the same about Prince Tega Wanogho, he is an athletic dancing bear who is athletic enough to fulfill the role, if Smith can’t.
.
_____________________
Link to Evolocity — We Buy Houses
If you mention ArrowheadOne, we get a commission.
_____________________
D-E-F-E-N-S-E
.
.
Defensive Ends
With George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, Charles Omenihu and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the Chiefs are better off than they were last season at the DE position. Should K.C. try to bring back someone like Carlos Dunlap? As long as he helps with the development of the Chiefs youngsters at that position… yes. If the late DE FA signing takes away from the development of these youngsters, then I can’t see it happening.
Defensive Tackles
The DT position is the best and worst position on the team… aside from QB, that is. Chris Jones is the second best DT in the league after Aaron Donald, and Derrick Nnadi is one of the worst DTs in the NFL. Last year, CJ may have taken over the mantle as the league’s best DT. That leaves the Chiefs other DT position to re-think.
ProFootballNetwork.com ranks Chris Jones as the 2nd best DT but doesn’t list Derrick Nnadi anywhere in the top 32. Madden24 rates Nnadi as the 73rd best DT in the NFL which is revealing of the hole in the Chiefs DL, and roster.
If I was going to sign or trade for a player — if I was GM Brett Veach — it would be to solidify the DL by gettign another talented DT.
Linebackers
This may be the best linebacking corp the Chiefs have had since the 1970s. I expect ILB Nick Bolton to have another breakout season and take over the inside of the Chiefs defense like no one has ever seen before. The addition of Drue Tranquill could be the answer if for some strange reason Bolton is injured. With Tranquill joining in the fun, and the addition of Leo Chenal last season, who was progressively better and better teams will come to fear the K.C. D. Now, with Willie Gay facing a contract year, he should have his best campaign yet.
I see the LB corp as a strength of the team.
Cornerbacks
L’Jarius Sneed faces he same contract year situation as Willie Gay and he should have his best season ever. Trent McDuffie was out for part of the 2022 season with an injury, but when he returned to action, he showed why many are slotting him for one of the top CBs in the league.
Safety
Juan Thornhill is gone but Mike Edwards has been signed to take his place plus second year man, Bryan Cook, is ready to step up and take over for Thornhill. Last offseason, Thornhill said he’d make the pro bowl but that didn’t happen. With Justin Reid taking over for Tyrann Mathieu, the back end of the Chiefs defense played above board. With progress he’s made this offseason, and having the chance to give DC Steve Spagnuolo’s defense a second go round, he should flourish.
Specail Teams
Punter Tommy Townsend made the Pro Bowl in 2022, and made most Kingdom fans forget about Dustin Colquitt. Place Kicker Harrison Butker hurt his ankle in game one vs the Cardinals in Arizona, but should be back to his Pro Bowl level form. Long Snapper James Winchester is adequate and will help the Chiefs punter and kicker remain at the top of their games.
.
Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
.