Are the Kansas City Chiefs getting better? For a team that has stated clearly time and time again, that they want to build through the draft… it raises the question: is the draft making this team better? Let’s take a look at how this year and last year’s draftees are doing and see if there were any wasted picks or future starters, or stars.
The Wasted Picks
It’s a mystery that we may never know the answer to but CB KeiVarae Russell will stick in the memory and craw for awhile. The Chiefs dumped him before he could even take the field in a regular season game and for a 74th pick in the 2016 draft, that’s not a good sign of things to come.
The selection of QB Kevin Hogan was equally puzzling but in retrospect, I can see now that they were just really hoping Hogan was Patrick Mahomes in disguise.
The M★A★S★H Unit
OLB Dadi Nicolas (pick 168 in 2016) will likely not be making the team this year. You know the saying, the best ability, is availability. It’s too bad too because I think he will end up on another team as a contributor. I doubt he ever reaches star status but I still have good images of him during Senior Bowl week. Here’s Dadi working out in May so I’m not sure why he’s still not ready to go by now.
Coming along !!! Needs improvements but better than yesterday !!! This will be a special year. pic.twitter.com/UMbSyRWJxB
— Dadi L Nicolas (@YYBAQB) May 23, 2017
The Starting Draftees
DL Chris Jones (the 37th pick in the 2016 draft) jumped right in last year and dominated in certain situations. I’m expecting him to reach star status soon, possibly this year. He will help make perhaps the best positional unit on the team with Allen Bailey and Bennie Logan.
LG Parker Ehinger is back. Parker (the 105th pick in the 2016 draft) started 5 games in 2016 before his ACL injury and while his starting position has been taken by upstart Bryan Witzmann, I’d expect to see him take it back by October.
RB Kareem Hunt (the 86th pick in the 2017 draft) should get starting snaps but let’s not count our chickens before they hatch. Aw, shucks… let’s count em anyways… as Hunt looks to be a possible star one day but when he was drafted, I only saw him as a part time contributor.
Part Time Contributors
CB D.J. White (the 178th pick in the 2016 draft) has already found his way onto the field with 136 defensive snaps. I’m not sure D.J. will ever become a starter but his spot duty has shown he’s capable of contributing and winning while he’s doing it.
CB converted to Safety Eric Murray’s contributions have been better than White’s. Murray (the 106th pick in the 2016 draft) has made some solid plays and I can see him starting one day, although it may be for another team after his rookie contract runs out.
OLB/DL hybrid Tanoh Kpassagnon (TK) should get some part time snaps this year. TK has tremendous potential but he’s in the infant stages of playing a new position (OLB) so we’ll have to see how things shake out in fountain town.
Special Teams
WR Demarcus Robinson (the 126th pick in the 2016 draft) has made a name for himself on special teams. He’s done well enough there to get a shot at snaps on offense. Others may not agree, but I see star potential in Robinson. He had a total of 6 offensive snaps in 2016 but here’s an example of what I’m hoping to see more of this year (see below). This is Patrick Mahomes first pass as a professional and although it was called back on a penalty, you can see how wide open Demarcus Robinson got himself before the defender began to catch up on a ball that was under thrown.
Welcome to the NFL, @PatrickMahomes5
Former #TexasTech QB Mahomes first NFL pass, 40 yards to Demarcus Robinson, is wiped out by holding. pic.twitter.com/uqP2v4aUbh
— Andrew Doak (@AndrewDoak_WWL) August 12, 2017
ILB Ukeme Eligwe has been doing well as a special teams player. He’s even made some good hits when he’s had a chance getting snaps as an ILB in preseason. Take a peek at his closing speed.
Eligwe spying QB, sees run and explodes. Too flat-footed at snap, but his speed is Bigtime https://t.co/D25itV4fsb pic.twitter.com/rtQyF8yaOD
— Ryan Tracy | RGR Football (@RyanTracyNFL) August 23, 2017
A Total Eclipse of the Stars
The first player that will jump out at you is WR Tyreek Hill. Hill (the 165th player taken in the 2016 draft) made his presence known in the league last year by returning 2 punts for a TD, 1 kickoff return for a TD, 3 rushing TDs, and 6 receiving TDs. That obviously doesn’t count the 2 TDs he returned that were called back on penalties. Hill is here to stay for the next ten years and I’m only hoping Andy Reid has figured out how to make him a regular part of his offensive game plan.
I am expecting, from everything I’ve seen so far, for QB Patrick Mahomes (taken 10th in the 2017 draft) to be a star in the national Football League. Not this year but in the near future. There’s no getting around that fact that Mahomes is one very talented quarterback prospect and the idea that he is being guided by Andy Reid and is also being given an apprentice-year (at least) to develop his skills, is reaffirming.
Chris Jones, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Kareem Hunt all have star-potential. In my book, Demarcus Robinson could be every bit the star that Dwayne Bowe was. Remember the year that Bowe had 15 TD receptions? I’m not saying he’s capable of that but Robinson has some moves, better hands that Bowe and excellent after the catch ability.
I know I haven’t mentioned CB/Safety Leon McQuay but I’m not sure where to place him… expect on the Practice Squad.
What do you think Chiefs fans? How has the organization done restocking the team with the past two drafts?
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