Chiefs Class is in and It’s 2015’s Turn to Shine

They say it takes three years to properly evaluate a draft class. While knowing how good a draft class is would make for excellent online discussion fodder, the Kansas City Chiefs are apparently placing a great deal of faith in the draft class of 2015 coming to fruition and proving on the field that they are a great draft class. While many fans were hoping the Chiefs would draft some prospects who could help the team this year… it’s really the draft class of 2015 that will need to come through in a big way if the Chiefs are to succeed in 2017.

Here’s a look at the Chiefs 2015 Draft Class

• 1:18  CB Marcus Peters
• 2:49  OC Mitch Morse
• 3:76  WR Chris Conley
• 3:98   CB Steven Nelson
• 4:118 ILB Ramik Wilson
• 5:172 ILB D.J. Alexander
• 5:173 TE James O’Shaughnessy
• 6:217 DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
• 7:233 WR Da’Ron Brown

Cornerback Marcus Peters

14 interceptions in his first two seasons, 2 pick-sixes, and 343 INT return yards: what more can you ask of Marcus Peters? Peters plays off-man coverage and takes a lot of risks. It’s hard to see that the Chiefs will expect him to play differently than he’s played so far but Peters is vulnerable to the long ball and if he’s is to progress he’ll need to balance his risk taking and make sure no one gets behind him. He doesn’t have the greatest speed in the world but is excellent at reacting to a wide receivers moves and rarely gets his feet crossed in coverage.

Marcus Peters was thrown into a leadership role last year, in only his second season, when the Chiefs allowed CB Sean Smith to leave via free agency. Peters will need to continue to be the leader of the band if the Chiefs defense is going to ball out in 2017. As of last November, Pro Football Focus ranked Marcus Peters as the 16th best corner in the league so there is room for improvement.

Offensive Center Mitch Morse

Mitch Morse has become one of the Chiefs best offensive linemen already. However, he’s bordered on the interior by two players who need seasoning. While Morse has improved each year in K.C. PFF has him ranked #20 overall among the League’s top centers and marks him down more because they believe he is not very good as a downfield blocker in the run game. Morse and others along the O-line have stated this spring that they believe they’ll be a much improved group in 2017 because of the continuity. Here’s a video of Mitch Morse showing that he can block downfield.

Wide Receiver Chris Conley

Now, here’s someone who’s progress could really make a difference in 2017. Last offseason I wrote a piece on Chris Conley and predicted he would have a breakout year in his sophomore campaign. Well, that didn’t exactly happen as he produced all of 44 receptions and 530 receiving yards for the 2016 season. However, there were certain plays that he made which hinted at his incredible skill level and it’s my belief that the main reason the Chiefs were comfortable releasing Jeremy Maclin was because of Chris Conley’s progress this past year, including this offseason.

Here’s a picture of Chris Conley from two years ago when he was a rookie with the Chiefs.

Now, here’s a picture of Chris Conley from last week at mini-camp.

When I first saw Conley in this presser, I thought it was Jeremy Maclin. No, I don’t think that automatically makes him into JMac but it’s not so much the appearance I was struck by. It’s his neck. I have two brothers, both of whom wrestled in high school and in college. They were forever comparing necks and how big their necks had gotten. While this second photo of Conley doesn’t completely show how big his neck has gotten, the next time you watch him speak, take notice. Now, is that really all that significant? Maybe not, but maybe we’re about to see Chris Conley take the next steps he needs to take — including physically — to become a standout wide receiver.

Cornerback Steven Nelson

Steven Nelson worked his was up the ladder last year and had more defensive snaps than all cornerbacks including Marcus Peters. Head Coach Andy Reid has mentioned Nelson’s progress this spring so he should be a big part of the Chiefs plans in 2017. While many are expecting to see Terrance Mitchell take the starting assignment opposite Marcus Peters as the #2 CB you can also expect Nelson to be a consistent presence at either the nickel or CB#2. If Nelson takes another step forward this year as big as the step he took last year, he’ll be asked to the Pro Bowl.

Inside Linebacker Ramik Wilson

Ramik Wilson had a strange season in 2016. He was cut at the beginning of the year to make room for ILB Sam Barrington who was waived 8 weeks later. When Ramik was re-signed he re-committed himself and played his best ball as a Chief yet. When Derrick Johnson went down, Wilson was the only true ILB with experience that the Chiefs had left to take over the reigns. Being cut can be a powerful motivating force so it makes sense that Wilson will take another step in 2017 and I’d expect to see him starting next to DJ on opening day.

Inside Linebacker D.J. Alexander

D.J. Alexander made the Pro Bowl in 2016 as a specail teams player so it was a bit funny to see him playing ILB in the actual Pro Bowl game. That’s because Alexander only played 4.3% of the defensive snaps in 2016 but had 358 special teams snaps otherwise. Some think Alexander will get more snaps at ILB this year and while that may be the case, I wouldn’t count on that unless one of the other ILBs goes down with an injury. Alexander is fast and good in coverage so he may turn out to be a good linebacker but we have nothing to go on that tells us that this might be the case.

Defensive Lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches

RNR had a similar experience to Ramik Wilson. He was cut then returned because DC Bob Sutton didn’t have enough quality DL after Jaye Howard went down. Like Wilson, when RNR returned, he played with much more passion and purpose and even had a notable game against the Broncos. If the Chiefs can get that kind of consistent performance out of their 2015 6th rounder, things will be looking up for the Chiefs defensive line in 2017.

Tight End James O’Shaughnessy and the Chiefs 216th pick in the draft were traded to the New England Patriots for their 183rd pick in the draft… and gave the Chiefs the opportunity to draft ILB Ukeme Eligwe.

Wide receiver Da’Ron Brown was placed on the Chiefs practice squad for the 2015 season and then was released on September 2, 2016. He spent time on the rosters of the Patriots, the Giants, the Dolphins and is currently with the L.A. Chargers.

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