Happy New Year: Under the Radar Chiefs to Know in 2020 – With the division secured and seeding all but a given, this seemed like a good time to look ahead. The Kansas City Chiefs will have a busy offseason, as most of their CB core hits free agency. Without many late round picks the Chiefs will have to rely on undrafted free agents, and existing players, to fill out the bottom of the roster. Here’s a look at some names that you may have forgotten, but the Chiefs certainly haven’t.
Wide Receivers: The first name that comes to mind is Marcus Kemp. Kemp appeared poised to make the roster and contribute, as a possession WR. While any knee injury is serious, Kemp has had a full season to heal from it, and is well versed in the offense. Until something changes, consider him the favorite, for that final roster spot, in the receiving core.
Next up is Jody Forston, the TE/WR out of Validosa State. His easy explosion, off the line, and massive wingspan, flashed against Green Bay (preseason). Much depends on his ability to fully grasp the offense, but if he can handle the mental side he’s got a good shot. Chiefs have struggled in the red zone this year and adding a big target with big hands certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Offensive Line: Greg Senat is a big Offensive Tackle who K.C. poached off the Ravens’ practice squad. He has the necessary size, and athleticism, for the tackle position, but was regarded as a project when the Ravens drafted him. Next year will be his 3rd, in the league. Not an optimal option, for the swing tackle role, but still probably the best the Chiefs will have, barring off-season additions. Given that they’ve kept him around, they must have seen something they liked.
Martinas Rankin was a 3rd round pick, of the Houston Texans, in 2018. He’s a solid interior player who could project well to the center position and will be cheap for the next couple years. Many are penciling Nick Allegretti in at the Center spot, but Rankin might prove a safer choice coming out of the SEC. Whether at Center, or Left Guard, expect Rankin to be an every down starter, in 2020.
Fullback/Tight End: Anthony Sherman is still a great leader, and an excellent special teams player, but if Andy Reid plans to actually use a fullback, it’s time to find an option who can do a little more. John Lovett seemed to be headed for that role before injury kept him off the roster. Lovett is a tone-setter and a hard worker. He’s got wicked athleticism for his size, and could quickly become a dynamic receiving threat.
Linebacker: Chiefs signed Middle Tennessee State Linebacker Darius Harris last year, despite knowing his injury would sideline him for 2019. Tape shows a smart, aggressive player, with decent athleticism. He should offer competition for Ben Niemann and Daniel Sorenson. Finding a role, even as a rotational player, shouldn’t be too hard for Harris.
Defensive Back: After Kendall Fuller returned from injury, the Chiefs moved him, functionally, to the safety position. Alex Brown has the potential to perform a similar role. He might not be fluid enough to play in man coverage as a CB, but his long arms and great speed allow him to play well in zone. With wholesale departures at the CB position all but assured, Brown will retain his roster spot, provided he picks up the defense.
Defensive Line: Breeland Speaks was suspended for violating the league substance policy, while on IR. This won’t stop him from playing in 2020… and playing quite a bit. He may never live up to fans expectations, given his draft spot, but he can provide a much better version of Joey Ivey. As a DT, Speaks will give Chiefs more pass rush, without giving up much against the run. He can also kick outside, in obvious run situations, and provide some juice there. Fans may have written him off but, rest assured Brendan Daly hasn’t.
Demone Harris is listed as a Linebacker, but he’s played most of his snaps at Defensive End. He’s a little bit more athletic than the Chiefs other DEs, but still possesses the necessary strength to play in this defense. With LB Reggie Ragland hitting free agency, Steve Spagnuolo may look to use Harris as a linebacker on obvious running downs. Harris has played well, and has a high ceiling… should he continue to develop. Really nice acquisition, by Brett Veach, in a year where Chiefs have been ravaged by injury, along the defensive front.
Under the Radar Conclusion
After a lackluster 2018, Brett Veach came up big this year, crafting a quality defense and adding some depth, on offense. 2020 will be his biggest test yet though. Mahomes is due for a contract extension and Chris Jones is likely to draw the franchise tag. Kansas City can’t be major players in free agency. However, if guys like Demone Harris, Darrius Harris, John Lovett, Alex Brown, and others, can reach their potential, the Chiefs will remain dominant, in 2020. If not, there will be a lot of finger crossing and roster churning, hoping to get lucky. While that worked out pretty well this year, K.C. can’t count on that in the future. Time for some small time guys to come up big. Go Chiefs.
Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne
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