Looking at Chiefs Rookies and
Second Year Players:
You Gotta Wear Shades
We’ve all heard the tune before, The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades, and while it’s still too early to give the Kansas City Chiefs classes of 2016 and 2015 their final grades it seems to me like… I gotta wear shades.
Let’s take a look at who the Chiefs general manager John Dorsey hauled in the past two years and how they’re performing. One note before we dive in: Andy Reid likes to play his young players early and often and that is also a reason they’re future looks so good so, hat’s off to Reid — and shades on — for that.
2016 Draft Class
Chris Jones, DL
The Chiefs nose tackle, if you want to call him that, Dontari Poe, has 729 snaps this year to Chris Jones 510. While that sounds like a huge difference, the next man along to defensive line, in terms of snaps, is Jaye Howard with 385 and he’s on the injured reserve list as we speak. The next active player in terms of snaps is Rakeem Nunez-Roches with 246 snaps. This shows what an integral part of the Chiefs defensive line lineup Jones has become. And let’s be clear here, Jones is not just a body.
Chris Jones has 2 sacks and 22 tackles. While that may not sound like a tremendous amount of production remember Dontari Poe’s sensational rookie year netted zero sacks and 38 tackles.
Tyreek Hill, WR/KR
Tyreek Hill’s value to the team can not be merely measured by numbers alone. If there is one player whose future brightness makes the Chiefs future brighter, it’s Hill. Many know and identify Tyreek Hill as a speed receiver but those who limit Hill to that definition would be doing themselves and the Chiefs a disfavor in doing so. Hill has good hands and has become one of the sure targets for QB Alex Smith this year as Smith has had to handle the loss of #1 WR Jeremy Maclin for a major portion of the season.
Through 13 games this season Tyreek Hill has 56 receptions, 547 yards receiving, and 6 TDs. However, to limit your view of Hill to that of a wide receiver would be limiting as well because his biggest impact may be as a return man this year. After having a couple long returns called back because of penalties, Hill returned a punt for a TD against the Oakland Raiders and befuddled punter Marquette King. You could also say that was the margin of victory the Chiefs needed because the final score was 21-13.
I think Tyreek Hill will eventually have a DeSean Jackson role in Reid’s offense with Jackson’s level of production.
Parker Ehinger, LG
The Chiefs rookie Left Guard suffered an ACL injury against the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh game of the season and is out for the year but before he went down with that injury, proved that he belongs. Many were speculating, as they did with Eric Fisher early in his career, that he’d need to bulk up in the offseason but that’s usually true of most rookies. What’s important to note is that Ehinger will likely hold down the Left Guard position for the Chiefs for years to come, assuming he’s able to avoid further injury.
Demarcus Robinson, ST/WR
Demarcus Robinson has carved out a niche on Dave Toub’s Special Teams unit. It’s not enough to say Robinson has been good this season, really, he’s excelled. He’s not only able to consistently beat jams at the line of scrimmage as a gunner but he does a good job of jamming others.
I’ve made it no secret in previous posts that I’d like to see Robinson in Albert Wilson’s wide receiver slot this year that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen prior to New Year’s Day. While I believe Robinson’s special teams play will lock him up a roster spot in 2017, it’s his ability to made yardage after the catch as a wide receiver, that should get him some playing time with the offensive unit because his talents as a WR may be getting wasted on special teams — no offense to special teams.
D.J. White, DB
White was beginning to get some playing time before he broke his hand. He could be a factor as a starter at the nickel when camp rolls around next season but his name is worth mentioning here because he’s done well with the oportunities he’s been given. Before the draft last year Rotoworld had this to say about White:
“White (5’11/193) made 34 starts for the Yellow Jackets, tallying five career forced-fumbles and seven interceptions. He helped himself at the Combine, showing explosiveness in the forty (4.49) and broad jump (11′) and pumping 225 pounds 17 times. Although White was not a decorated player in the ACC, he is a disruptive and aggressive cover man with potential to man both the slot and boundary. White is a sneaky bet to develop into a quality No. 3 corner.”
Besides… the Chiefs HAVE TO keep him: anyone who goes by “DJ” gets an automatic roster spot in the K.C..
Dadi Nicolas
St. Dadi Nicolas has had a devil of a time getting snaps this season… totaling of 37 snaps this season: 20 Defensive snaps and 17 on Special Teams. In the preseason games, Nicolas showed more promise and I like me some Dadi, the question is whether or not he’s ever going to find playing time in the Chiefs system. He looked great during Senior Bowl week last year, and that’s probably what got him drafted by John Dorsey. Maybe if the Chiefs want him to step up his play they should cut him… then sign him to the practice squad… then bring him up again?!*?
Eric Murray
I don’t know what’s up with Murray. He looked good in college last year at Minnesota but the Chiefs idea to place him at Safety and see how he does hasn’t created any precious football memories so I’m inclined to believe he’s got camp next year to prove himself and if not, he’s gone.
Discharged
QB Kevin Hogan is on the Cleveland Browns roster. Enough said.
CB KeiVarae Russell is on the Cincinnati Bengals roster with 20 Special Teams snaps to his name. Question: would Dorsey say it was a better decision to draft KeiVarae Russell or to cut KeiVarae Russell? That’s what I’d like to ask him.
2015 Draft Class
While the class of 2016 is looking pretty good right now, it’s the class of 2015 that needs to be making more fans sit up and take notice. Out of nine picks, all but one player is still with the team — and that’s WR Da’Ron Brown — but more importantly, they’re all getting significant playing time besides their 5th round TE James O’Shaughnessy.
Marcus Peters, CB
Marcus Peters fell into the Chiefs lap at pick number 18 and who cares to recap the reasons why? Not I. Peters has turned out to be one of the premiere cornerbacks in the National Football League. Peters not only made the Pro Bowl in 2015, his rookie campaign but he’s already become a defensive leader on the field for a frighteningly young CB crew. While many are impressed with his interceptions numbers, as they should be, it’s his passes defended numbers that should catch the greatest amount of attention because he led the league in that category last year and is second this season, one PD off the pace. If John Dorsey can find another excellent corner to pair with Peters in 2017, DC Bob Sutton will be set for years to come. Then we’ll all be calling Sutton a genius… more than some of already do.
Mitch Morse, C
While Mitch Morse missed part of last season with a concussion, he has proven to be stable above average Center in the middle of the Chiefs offensive line. ProFootballFocus currently ranks Morse as the 18th best Center in the NFL but I believe he’s better than their grades would indicate. With a good offseason program, Morse should have an uptick in his play in 2017 but he’s already a reliable performer.
Chris Conley, WR
Chris Conley has “ability,” out the wazoo but, we haven’t seen it come to fruition quite yet. I’ve stated previously that Conley has the chops to be the Chiefs number one WR and while that’s yet to be seen, he has shown us flashes that leave us wanting more. I don’t know if it’s the play calling… or if it’s Alex Smith not getting to the read on Conley’s route… but we should expect more from this physical freak (anyone who can jump 11-feet-7-inches in the standing broad jump… and 45-inches in the vertical jump… and write, direct, and act in their own Star Wars movie take-off (called “Retribution”)… is a freak-of-nature).
Steven Nelson, CB
Steven Nelson should be relegated to nickel coverage as a DB. He’s had some good moments as a corner when pressed into service… but I’m not sure those outweigh the bad moments. Chiefs will likely need Nelson to step up if they’re going to go further into the playoffs than they did last season.
Ramik Wilson, ILB
Ramik is the Wilson on this roster who I like. Yes, he’s been a part of the Chiefs “Catch-and-Release” program but he’s back with the team now and playing better than ever… which is timely since their Pro Bowl ILB Derrick Johnson is out with an injury. I hope Ramik has another gear we haven’t seen this Sunday when he will face one the better rushing attacks in the league.
D.J. Alexander, ST/ILB
D.J. has become perhaps the team’s best Special Teams player. However, when Derrick Johnson sat out for one play a few weeks ago, this D.J. laid a huge hit on a running back in his own backfield. It would be great if that was an omen of things to come but I’m not sure HC Andy Reid sees Alexander that way. Either way, D.J. Alexander is one of the best Special Teams players in the league as far as I’m concerned.
James O’Shaughnessy, TE
Shaggy, as some of his teammates reportedly like to call him, may be running out of time to step up his game and make a name for himself with the Chiefs. Either Andy Reid likes to call Travis Kelce’s number so much that no other tight ends are getting any chances lately, or the rest of the TE corp sucks. Shaggy has taken nearly 65% of all Special Teams snaps but hasn’t taken even 10% of the total offensive snaps. I won’t be at all surprised to see John Dorsey jump at a tight end in the first few rounds of the upcoming draft. “I like big butts and I can not lie”… Jake Butt from Michigan anyone? Check out his non-x-rated movies.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches
RNR has come and gone like Wilson but has come back and played well. He’s had good games against Carolina, Tampa Bay and Denver but like every other defensive front seven players, will need to get after the run this Sunday.
If John Dorsey has a couple more drafts like these past two drafts, the Kansas City Chiefs fans will need to go to the games with shades on.
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