Chiefs Camp: Players Feeling the Squeeze the Most
By Laddie Morse
There are some players on the Kansas City Chiefs roster feeling the squeeze more than others. What do I mean by that? –> Perform or you’re done. While some may be thinking about Orlando Brown, he’s not the type of player I have in mind exactly. Brown may be gone and never even play another down in a Chiefs uniform and it won’t be based upon his performance this season.
There have been players for the Chiefs who simply run out of time. Players like Demarcus Robinson, or Daniel Sorenson, or Ben Niemann. With those kinds of players in mind, let’s take a look at who may be next to go.
Lucas Niang, RT
Niang was drafted two years ago and then he opted out because of the Covid Pandemic, essentially whipping out his rookie opportunity. In 2021, Niang started 9 games, appearing in 12 and played in 62% of the Offensive snaps.
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Niang suffered a torn patellar tendon in Week 17, and has already been placed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list during this training camp. The PUP list during training camp allows players to return at any time. GM Brett Veach said of Niang’s status:
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“I think (Niang being ready) by the end of training camp is something that could happen, but he’s definitely on target to where he needs to be.”
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“the end of training camp”… therein lies the problem. I’ve said this before in reference to Orlando Brown: if a player on the OL is not in place prior to the end of training camp, he may be done with his chances (for the year), unless someone ahead of him is hurt. In this case, that would be Andrew Wylie. Wylie played in 13 games in 2021 and was in on 57% of the Offensive snaps, so we know HC Andy Reid thrusts him. With newby, rookie Darin Kinnard, pushing the pile so he can get on the field, it seems more likely that he’d get a shot before Niang gets another chance. I don’t have high expectations that Niang will be back at RT this year. Meaning, he may already be done as a Chief.
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Mecole Hardman, WR
Hardman has his best chance yet of making an impact and being a playmaker for this offense. That’s mostly due to the fact that Tyreek Hill was traded to the Dolphins months ago. If he doesn’t, he’s likely gone as well. With the competition at WR, Hardman’s climb will be tougher than expected. However, with Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle out of the way, his shot has never been such a straight line to success.
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Marquez Valdes-Scantling (4.37 – 40), who also has game breaking speed, may be the road block Hardman (4.33 – 40) can’t get passed. However, with Hardman knowing the offense backwards and forwards, he may have a jump and a head start over all his other WR competitors.
During Hardman’s first three season in K.C., he has shown little actual receiving production:
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Hardman played in all the games for the past three seasons and while that sounds like a plus, it also means he averaged 36.5 yards per game receiving. This year, to reach the 1,000 yards receiving barrier, he’ll need to average 58.8 ypg or 22.3 ypg more.
What I’m suggesting is, if Hardman doesn’t reach that 1,000 ypg goal, he’s also likely gone.
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Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB
Let me be perfectly clear, I’m a CEH fan. However, to much is given, much is expected. Meaning, the fact that Clyde was drafted in round one two years ago, many fans in Chiefs Kingdom have been expecting him to go off and have huge games, when i reality, his best game was his first game vs the Texans when he rushed 25 times for 138 yards. In 2020, he ended up with 1,100 totals yards with 803, on the ground and 297 through the air. Apparently, that wasn’t enough for many fans. last year he had 119 rushes for 517 yards and 129 receiving yards. For many Chiefs fans, the real problem with CEH is is availability. He has been injured in each season and finished playing in 23 of 33 possible games.
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For a first round selection, it’s just not enough. The presence of Ronald Jones, who is accomplished and has won a Super Bowl ring with th Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the squeeze is on CEH from the guy who is supposed to be his backup. The reality may be, that RJ takes over for CEH and Jerick McKinnon gets more reps… and Clyde Edwards-Helaire is left out in the cold looking back in.
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Cornell Powell, WR
Powell, was a 5th round selection with the 181st pick in last year’s draft. I thought he was going to show us his stuff last year but it didn’t happen. Now, if Powell doesn’t ball out and win one of the few WR spots available, he’s likely not going to be around any longer. In fact, if Powell doesn’t make the 53 man roster this year, he could be gone at the end of August.
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Yes, I think the Chiefs will want to pick him up and place him on their Practice Squad, but it looks like K.C. is adding more and more WR firepower, not less, and so the chances for Powell to make the team get thinner and thinner… unless… he jumps in with both feet, THIS year.
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What do you think? Are there any players on the Chiefs roster who you believe are feeling the squeeze?
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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Late breaking news from last night:
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Here’s hoping a ring is the thing…
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And yes… he’s still got it!
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“Carlos Dunlap made $8.5 million for Seattle last season
with a cap hit of $2.9 million and delivered 8.5 sacks
in his age 32 season. Dunlap has been a consistent
producer throughout his 12-year career.” – Matt Derrick
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