Chiefs 42% Solution: CH-CH-CH-CH-Changes

Chiefs 42% Solution: CH-CH-CH-CH-Changes – It’s a new season and a new year filled with new players. That happens every year of course but this season is different. The Kansas City Chiefs have 22 completely new players on their 53 man roster compared to last year at this time. Technically, that’s a 41.509% change rate, so I rounded it up. Surprisingly enough, the majority of those changes came on… wait for it… wait for it… on neither Offense or Defense. That’s right, there are 11 new players on Offense and 11 new players on Defense. Take a look at the chart below (Offense in Red, Defense in Blue):

Here’s how to interpret the headings:

S/BU = Starter / Backup

EIS = Expected Impact Scale

• • • • • 5- A lot
        • 4- Many times
        • 3- Moderately
        • 2- Some
        • 1- Little

So, let’s go player by player:

Nick Allegretti – he could turn into a starter but hopefully not for another year. If he’s called upon this year it will be because someone was hurt.

Jeff Allen – Allen’s veteran presence and mentorship should be helpful but I think he only ends up starting if Wylie or Reiter don’t work out. He could get time at Tackle if called upon. I prefer him over Erving.

Blake Bell – Bell will likely start opposite of Kelce until Yelder is 100%. 

Bashaud Breeland – Chiefs need all of their CBs to step up until Mo Claiborne returns in 4 weeks. Even then, the Chiefs need all of their CBs to step up. Period.

Frank Clark – he is “The Man” on defense now and big things are expected of him. He should be, could be, a monster.

Rashad Fenton – if Fenton hits the field then the Chiefs D is probably in trouble this year. 

Mecole Hardman – Hardman has been a pleasant surprise and should contribute right away.

Ryan Hunter –  on the Chiefs PS last year, has apparently progressed enough to warrant a promotion to the 53. Doubt we’ll see him.

Joey Ivie –  was also on the PS last year and has had a very good preseason and a well deserved top 53 ranking of talent in the Chiefs system.

Darron Lee – Lee has balled out since his arrival in KC. Sometimes a player just needs a move to wake them up. Of course, he wasn’t working in the best situation with the Jets.

Tyrann Mathieu – to whom much is given, much is expected… well that actually doesn’t describe Mathieu because he’s had to fight and claw his way for everything he’s achieved. He’s a 5-foot-9 giant among men and it could be argued that his quiet yet knowledgeable presence on the defense makes him, “The Man.”

LeSean McCoy – there could not be a more perfect fit for Andy Reid’s schemes, and that’s why he drafted him ten years ago. McCoy gained 3,866 yards rushing his first 4 years under Reid but perhaps more importantly, he gained 1,588 yards receiving in that time. Why? Reid knows how to get his RBs out in space and that’s not only what will work for Reid this year but help to elongate McCoy’s career, as well as make Damien Williams even better. Fresh legs… are always… fresh legs.

Matt Moore – I won’t be unhappy if I never see him throw a pass during a Chiefs game.

Emmanuel Ogbah – for the past three seasons, Ogbah has been the Browns version of Tanoh Kpassagnon, your basic underachiever. A 2nd rounder, like KPass, but Ogbah has 12.5 sacks to his name and has averaged more than 40 tackles per season. Like KPass, his development in KC could help propel him to a starting role down the line. He’ll get quality snaps this year.

Byron Pringle – if Pringle can continue to make progress, he could be of help when/if the Chiefs part ways with Sammy Watkins next season. With an unremarkable preseason, I see him as a WR who is standing in the way of Cody Thompson making this roster.

Martinas Rankin – he’s here to develop. If he hits the field this year, it’s because the whole show has gone to hades.

Khalen Saunders – a disappointment to this point and the hype was hollow. He will likely go through the year without many snaps. Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi and Xavier Williams are all way ahead of him.

Darwin Thompson – the one aspect to the LeSean McCoy acquisition is that we will see less of DTrain this year. He’s progressed and I hope he’s not stuck on the bench. However, this could be a blessing in disguise as Shady could give DTrain much needed help in his development… and give him time to grow into the Pro game.

Juan Thornhill – he’s going to start and will offer some highlight reel plays. He’ll also offer some lowlight reel plays that we’ll want to forget. If he can polish up the apple, he could be a Pro Bowl level performer by year two.

Damien Wilson – may be the Chiefs best Linebacker right now. Strong at the point of attack, he could end up the leading tackler in 2019.

Deon Yelder – Yelder has had multiple injury issues but nothing major. If he can stay on the field, he should start and be an improvement over the last 6 years of a TE who never developed.

With nine or ten of the new players taking over starting positions, the Chiefs have had a challenge in making a pretty dramatic face lift with a whopping seven of those starters playing on Defense. That’s enough CH-CH-CH-CH-Change to make anyone shake-rattle-n-roll.

The same 42% solution applies to the coaching staff as well, since all but one coach on defense —  Britt Reid — is a fresh face. With the 22 player changes and almost all different defensive coaches, what the Chiefs need most now is to: jell… consolidate… crystalize… coalesce… any one, or all, of those adjectives will do just fine. Considering that all the players and coaches already in the house appear to be making progress as well… and considering that all the Chiefs players look like they really do enjoy each other’s company, this team is headed for an unprecedented season of success. Now, let’s get’er dun! Go Chiefs!

Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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