David Bell
Dwelling on the possibilities is what we usually do as the team proceeds from the mini-camp through the OTAs and then finally to Training Camp. I cannot honestly say I know anything, but I see the value of Brett Veach’s approach to the draft and trust his scouting crew greatly. That effort feeds HC Andy Reid’s players, who the coaching staff will coach to prepare for the upcoming season.
At this point, there are 91 players on the Chiefs roster, one of whom is a player in the NFL International Effort, a program of the NFL identified as the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP). For 2023, the Chiefs have added the 91st player: Chukwuebuka Jason Godrick, an Offensive Lineman from Nigeria.
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Last season, the Chiefs had Kehinde Oginni Hassan in camp–Hassan was a defensive Lineman. But, unfortunately, he didn’t stick with the team. So in 2023, we’ll have to wait and see what happens with Godrick. It may never happen again, getting a “Nigerian Nightmare”–but it could.
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The Youth Movement
In 2022, the Chiefs Youth Movement struck Gold. To merely list the names of the players won’t do them justice! Edge Rusher George Karlaftis*, Cornerback Trent McDuffie*, Safety Bryan Cook*, WR Skyy Moore*, LB Leo Chenal*, OT/OG Darian Kinnard, and then CBs Jalyn Watson* and Joshua Williams*, an ace pick with RB Isiah Pacheco*, and finally Safety Najeeh Johnson, whom I hope fulfills the promise we saw in his limited time on the field in 2022. The minimum complimentary statement about this draft group is: What a Heck of a draft. It was outstanding. Beaucoup Credos go to Brett Veach and his scouting staff.
Continuing the Youth Movement in 2023, Brett Veach again had an excellent draft. Brett Veach has added players that fit the bill: KSU Edge Rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah*, SMU WR Rashee Johnson*, OU OT Wanya Morris*, CB/S Chamarri Connor*, UT DT Keondre Coburn*, SFA Edge Rusher BJ Thompson, and Ball State CB Nic Jones. My notes from this spring tell me five players will have significant roles in the 2023 season. Adding that list of five to the initial draft, I came up with Twelve major draft picks in the Chiefs Youth Movement (see the asterisks in both lists to understand my appraisal). Of course, we have not seen the latter five in NFL Games yet, but do you doubt these players will get significant time on the field in 2023?
It’s difficult to project success for rookies or even 2nd-year players from last season’s draft. One or more of the players might be affected by the Sophomore Jinx. From What I witnessed in the games from 2022 and the post-season, I cannot adjust to such a downturn. The 2022 draftees performed well and played well in 2022, and all of them have post-season experience. That bodes well for 2023! Let’s add these young players and mix in the Vets!
Laddie published an article not long ago that viewed the positions groups and whether or not they could be judged “improved” or remained the same. See that Article here:
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“Chiefs By Position: Better or Worse“
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QB – Why It’s PM II, of Course
The Glue that makes it all work and holds it all together – Eagles image credit
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The Chiefs added depth to the QB role when they signed Veteran Blaine Gabbert. I have to think they believed the Veteran experience outweighed having Shane Buechele in-house. Also, the group is completed by Chris Oladokun. However, Mahomes sets the tone for all QBs in the NFL. That’s the fact that binds all the rest of the team together.
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The Offensive Line
KC is Well-Served by the Players Competing for a Starting Job!
I agree with all the appraisals by position group, save the OL view. In 2023, the OL will be better — departed are Orlando Brown, Jr., LOT and ROT Andrew Wylie. I cannot see that the OL will only rate as a “similar” group-level group evaluation. Why? Because Andrew Wylie was a depth player, not a starter. Orlando Brown never lived up to his hype and was a disappointing player whose inflated self-appraisal was also FUBAR. Having Added LOT Donovan Smith and ROT Jawaan Taylor, the pairing for OTs will be improved over Brown and Wylie, the recently departed OTs. The depth is better as well.
I think the Interior Offensive Line is the best unit in the NFL consisting of LOG Joe Thuney, OC Creed Humphrey and ROG Trey Smith:
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Chiefs “meat of the matter” – the IOL: 65, 52 and 62! – ArrowheadPride image credit
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The OL for 2023: LOT Donovan Smith, LOG Joe Thuney, OC Creed Humphrey, ROG Trey Smith, ROT Jawaan Taylor. The depth is undoubtedly better, featuring Nick Allegretti as the depth player for both OG roles, Austin Reiter as the #2 OC, and Darian Kinnard OT/OG backing up either the OG or OT Role. Lucas Niang was a starter two seasons ago at ROT and will figure in competing for the ROT job or the SW/T role, as will draft pick Wanya Morris, a 2023 selection by Brett Veach. Morris was the OU starter at ROT. That looks to set up a competition for starting positions for the 2023 Camp and Pre-season games.
I am confident that the OL will be improved. Donovan Smith Spoke to the press after the 2nd day of OTA and he observed: “I played with a lot more injuries than I probably should have (referring to 2022). We go out there and we sacrifice our bodies for the greater good of the team. But this is a new beginning, a new journey.
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“I’m healthy. I’m fresh…“I’m a selfless person. Pro Bowls and those things matter, but not really. I’m more about the championship thing. That’s what means the most to me. I have a lot of high expectations for myself.”
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It sounds to me like Donovan Smith is ready to rock n roll with the Chiefs! That fits my confidence about the addition of Smith and Taylor both.
As for Laddie? I know we both were not fans of Brown and I know neither of us believed Wylie was a starter quality play for the ROT Role. I am confident that both Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor are starter-quality players. We go from there to the finish line though I will note that Taylor can also play on the left side and spent some snaps at LOT on day two of the OTAs with Lucas Niang taking on the ROT job while he did so. It’s all good. Competition and Flexibility are keys to success.
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Running Backs
The Chiefs will do without a Fullback for the first time in the Andy Reid era as an HC at both Philly and KC. Instead, pencil in Noah Gray and Blake Bell for FB or H-Back duties. The set backs will be Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
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Isiah Pacheco – SI photo credit from the Super Bowl vs. the Eagles
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However, there might be a surprise addition as UDFA RB Deneric Prince might make the 53-man roster. Prince fits the youth movement. Observe for word of his camp participation. It will be an indicator for him. At least he will go to the PS if he doesn’t make the active roster. Don’t forget that La’Mical Perine is also signed as an RB. I love that Brett Veach brought back McKinnon, and let’s hope to see a resurgent Clyde! This group is going to be fine, even including the H-Back, FB role with two big men who can take on the meat of the defense and protect PMII in the process while adding to the aerial threat.
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Wideouts
There’s a lot of story in the group of players competing for a Roster spot. Start with MVS, who will be used to keep any defense off-balance. Add Ladarius Toney, my choice for a player to have a break-out season. Last year Veach drafted Skyy Moore, and this year, he chose to draft Rashee Rice.
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Rashee Rice Emerges at SMU – Dallas Morning News photo credit
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I have concluded that WR/Return specialist Richie James will find his spot. We can add players to this list, seemingly ad-infinitum. I will again focus on Justyn Ross (the UDFA that I earmark for the 53-man roster), Justin Watson, and Cornell Powell. I must include Ihmir Smith-Marsette. John Ross is another possibility who has already demonstrated in the OTs that he is on top of his game. Laddie and one of our contributing authors are big on UDFA KR/WR Nikko Remigio. Laddie penned an article a few days ago about Nikko. This is an outstanding group of WRs, who will battle it out to make the active Roster. For an article here at ArrowheadOne about Remigio, see it here:
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“Chiefs: Meet UDFA KR/WR Extraordinaire, Nikko Remigio”
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My bottom line about the WR group is that Patrick Mahomes will have a lot of talent to sort through. But, the cream will rise to the top. Nate Taylor of the Athletic covered the OTAs with Mahomes and his WRs. He quotes Mahomes who said:
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“We’re deep… usually, you have a good feel for who the guys are going to be, but with this group, it’s like every single guy. You’re like, ‘I can see him making a path for making the team.’ You want that competition. I’m happy with where we’re at.”
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This statement tells me that PM II is happy with all the WRs and in the OTAs, he is very comfortable with the mix.
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Improved Defense
One the Chiefs Can Boast About!
People are already writing in the sports plugs at various sites that the Chiefs could well have a top-10 defense, and I think that might well be something we witness in 2023. At a bare minimum, I see the Chief’s defense being rated in the top dozen outfits. I have written that I would like to see Brett Veach sign Chris Jones and, with the cap savings, bring back Frank Clark or Carlos Dunlap. Such a signing would put the Chief’s defense over the top!
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The Defensive Front
Veach drafted George Karlaftis in 2022, and GK played exceptionally well as a rookie sopping up any keys from Carlos Dunlap and Frank Clark.
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Karlaftis has Burrow in his Grasp – AFC Championship game – Chiefs.com photo credit
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For 2023, Brett Veach signed Free Agent Charles Omenihu in the absence of both Dunlap and Clark. I don’t see this as a regular-season downgrade, and the most critical missing piece would be how well Frank Clark performed in the post-season. As noted above, Veach drafted Felix Anudike-Uzomah (FAU). While that is a brand-spanking new rookie added to the mix, he brings a talent that should play well off of Karlaftis and Omenihu. The Chiefs could sign another veteran Edge Rusher, as they did late in the preseason of 2022 (Carlos Dunlap), and who knows what will happen. Rumors float around about Frank Clark returning. I could also see Carlos returning due to their veteran leadership and possibly tutoring newcomer FAU.
The Chiefs possess experienced in-house players beyond this, such as Mike Danna, Joshua Kaindoh, and Malik Herring.
At DT, the Chiefs have one of the best if not the very best DTs in the business –> Chris Jones. How many superlatives can I mention that would do him justice?
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David Eulitt Photo(Getty Images) – Jones Sacks Burrow
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Opposite him could be run-stopping Derrick Nnadi. When an up-the-middle 1-tech is needed, draft pick Keondre Coburn or Danny Shelton who returns to the roster for year two will put a big man to take on double teams in the middle. Also, Tershawn Wharton returns after having missed much of the 2022 season due to injury.
As I see it, the defensive Front is in good hands and is an improved group over 2022’s group.
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The Secondary
It’s difficult to fail to see how the DB group is not greatly improved. Two years ago, the Chiefs signed Veteran Houston Safety Justin Reid to replace Tyrann Mathieu. They then drafted Bryan Cook and signed Free Agent Safety Mike Edwards. Add returning Veteran Deon Bush and Nazeeh Johnson returning for his second season. Brett Veach selected Chamarri Cooper in the 4th round and then added 7th-round draft pick Nic Jones. That’s a formidable group of safeties though I feel that Cooper will be utilized as a CB.
At cornerback, the Chiefs feature L’Jarius Sneed whose versatility provides coverage either in the slot or on the outside.
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Sneed takeaway vs the Pack! – Chiefs.com image credit
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In 2022, Brett Veach moved up in the draft to select Trent McDuffie, who also can play inside or out. Love it. Also drafted in 2022 were Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson, who both played outstanding football, especially down the stretch and in the playoffs. Add UDFA Dicaprio Bootle to that mix as he returns to the roster again. Like the Safety Group, these players serve well for a top-level secondary.
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The Linebackers
The Chiefs LB Crew will be one of the top groups in the NFL
Three seasons ago, Veach Drafted Willie Gay, and in 2021, Veach added Nick Bolton. For 2023, he signed Free Agent LB Drue Tranquill. This is great stuff.
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Bolton has a scoop and score – Super Bowl LVII – KC Star image credit
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They are an excellent pairing for the LB duty.
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Willie Gay gets after Hurt – Super Bowl LVII photo (Getty Images credit)
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To these two draft picks, in 2022, Brett drafted Leo Chenal and signed Free Agent Drue Tranquill for this year. Combining all these players’ skill sets in a mix-and-match effort, the Chiefs can pursue side-line-to-side-line, hit the gaps, stop the ground game, and cover short drops, while Tranquill is excellent at more difficult coverages.
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Drue Tranquill from his Facebook page
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Gay, Bolton, and Tranquill give the Chiefs a top-level group. The depth includes Leo Chenal, Jack Cochrane, Cole Christiansen, and newcomers BJ Thompson and Cam Jones. We fans will love the group Spagnuolo will be able to field come opening day. I firmly believe in this defense. For that matter, I am convinced that the offense is improved as well. Of course, not all these players will make the final 53, but the depth is there should someone sustain an injury. This will be fun to watch on both sides of the ball.
The competition of these players as the team approaches training camp will be the determining factor. It forces each player to contribute mightily in their efforts to become a starter or to earn a spot on the active roster. The Chiefs formation of a roster may not become the purest of great NFL rosters, but it is, in my not-so-humble opinion, a Championship-caliber deal. This team will definitely overtake all the negatives I see flowing from the national punditry.
If there is one thing that I believe could put the team over the top, would be for Brett Veach to add a Veteran Edge player to this mix (Examples: Frank Clark, Carlos Dunlap or as Bill Barnwell suggested recently, Yannick Ngakoue). We we will then see how tough the defense can be.
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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