So, just how deep are the Kansas City Chiefs. Why is that question important? By taking a look at the Chiefs backups you can tell where their biggest needs may exist. Well, at least I’ve found that it may alter your perspective. Maybe. So, here’s a little graphic I flung together of the Chiefs offensive and defensive backups. By examining what the whole unit looks like together could be enlightening… if you’re from the age of enlightenment or not.
Here’s the offensive backup unit.
Tyreek Hill will likely take Chris Conley’s place on the first team. I’m not sure if there’s any other way for Andy Reid to get more time for Hill on offense. Anthony Sherman is listed as the backup here but sites like ESPN lists Spencer Ware as the backup FB which seems ridiculous. If Sherman is cut and they go without a FB then one of the TEs will likely fill that role, or RB #2. Charcandrick West looks like the biggest weakness here based on what we saw from him in 2016. However, the backup QB situation with Tyler Bray may be a bigger need depending on how Andy Reid feel about Bray. Based on the teams scouring the available QBs in this draft, it looks more and more like a QB is going to be a high round pick for the Chiefs. Then the question becomes whether or not a draft pick could beat out Bray for the backup role?
The Demetrius Harris situation may indicate they Chiefs will go for a TE early in the Draft too. The signing of Gavin Escobar could help in keeping John Dorsey from feeling that he MUST take a TE too so Harris may be done as a Chief depending on what Goodell decides.
With Dadi Nicolas’ recovery in question and Tamba Hali’s age in play, it appears highly likely that an OLB is in the cards in this draft… especially with the Chiefs front liners having their own issues. The ILB backups actually look good here but the starters are not in the best shape either so ILB will be in play during this draft too. Rakeem Nunez-Roches was improved last year but it should surprise no one if they go for another defensive lineman at some point during draft weekend.
Every year, one of the Chiefs front-liners go down… at least on average, one per year, maybe more. So ask yourself, who you feel most uncomfortable going down to injury? Of course, there’s Alex Smith, because we know nothing about Tyler Bray as a pro. However, who else comes to mind right away? Pick one on offense and one on defense. Those two for me — besides Smith — would be Travis Kelce (even before Harris got arrested) on offense and Houston on defense (praying that he comes back at 110%… IOW, better than he ever was). Who would you least be wanting to… knock on wood… about?