Let’s level set the Chiefs team for 2018. I fully believe that the team makeup has shifted to the positive. I see some strength in this team make up. It has exposures and weaknesses but that should not mean the Chiefs hand over the 
AFC title before the season starts. There will be an upcoming series of articles on the match-ups of this roster and the AFC West opponents. Me? I see the cup more than half-full not a situation to be in the doldrums. I hear the down and out views over the past 5 seasons and I don’t see that any were true thus far. This is an overview and it is not a view of the perfect roster. Nor is it a view of a team to finish outside of competing for the AFC West title. There is a reason I formed this article this way — I am constantly hearing and reading about a team that cannot compete. This is not the same team as existed with Alex Smith at the helm. There are a lot of reasons this is true and there are numerous additions of import that negate the departure of Alex Smith for example, or DJ….or, or.
Let’s take a look. Tell me via feedback, where this is wrong.
A look at the Projected Offense
Why am I big on this after Alex Smith’s 2017? So okay, go by my count below.
Quarterback – The offense has a shot at being very tough, both aerial and running game. No matter what I thought before John Dorsey’s last draft, the deal is done and Alex Smith is a Redskin. So when we go with the rookie first rounder taken in 2017 — Patrick Mahomes — I am not going to debate the choice that was made, except to add that Mahomes brings excitement, an arm and what appears to be young maturity in place of Alex Smith’s steady hand. This in spite of Smith’s 2017 QB numbers — they were tops in the NFL in a lot of ways but, the season put him in pretty elite company. But we go with Mahomes and have a #2 QB, that is not Tyler Bray, in Chad Henne. I will go with that.
My views on the aerial attack?
The OC needs to put PM over center a lot and do play action. We have RB depth even with Ware not ready. I like that mix. Our WRs are going to be very tough as Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins will play off the strength of his partner. At Tight End? The Chiefs have the cream of the crop in the person of Travis Kelce. The Chiefs have Kareem Hunt out of the backfield on the ground and in the air. The aerial game is going to be in fine hands.
The Run Game – Hunt, Ware, & Williams
Presume that Spencer Ware is the #2, even if delayed but he will have competition from Damien Williams who was a recent F/A signee. I like this group as constituted, and when Ware is 100%, it is a totally solid 1-2-3 RB corp, all three of whom are good receivers and blockers at the same time. If we have to back fill for a time until Ware is ready, the Chiefs have West and Spiller and others who cold fill that role. Rounding it out? Anthony Sherman is one of the top Fullbacks in the game. I just wish Andy Reid and the OC would use that talent at the appropriate time, even if it is just for providing a threat to run over a defender or providing protection for Patrick Mahomes against a very tough pass rush from a top opponent (which means that Play Action is necessary to fully deploy the running and passing games). I am sold on the RB group – even if we have to wait on Ware being 100% when the 2018 season opens.
Receiving Corp: The Tyreek Hill
and Sammy Watkins Show
Despite all the many questions, Chris Conley, Demarcus Robinson and perhaps Jehu Chesson (or one of the young guys on the roster) would give us a solid 5 WRs. No, I am not worried that Albert Wilson has departed. More power to him but his deficiencies shown in 2015 and 2016 cannot be ignored, despite his finish, numbers-wise, in 2017.
Tight ends? What more needs be said — Travis Kelce is tops of the NFL. The weak link is going to be the #2 and #3. At this point it’s Demetrius Harris, Orson Charles and Jace Amaro vying for the back-up roles. This is no strength but could be. Amaro came to the NFL with a lot of praise and faltered. 2018 may be his chance to redeem himself. Charles? I just don’t have a feel for what he can do except as depth at TE. Harris? He deserves the bad rep for all his drops. On the other hand, I know he has soft hands. His problem is all “focus” and not ability.
The Weakest Link? The Offensive Line
If there is going to be an addition? I hope it is for the Offensive Line — an OG or OC or a combo player, which will likely have to come from the draft but it may be players in the mix on the roster already. I am solid with Schwartz and Fish as the bookends. I am solid with LDT at RG. I like Mitch Morse at OC but… I worry about last season and his injuries (concussion and foot). At LG otherwise… Parker Ehinger and/or Brian Witzmann offer services. Backup center? Jordan Devey might get the nod as noted by Ransom Hawthorne about a week ago. I know that the addition of Cam Erving may solve the problem and we will know if this is true once the OL is formed in pre-season. Once that is done, Andy Reid is telegraphing his front 5 for a complete season, eh? It is my hope though, that when Brett Veach added Cam Erving, he was selecting an upgrade at Left Guard.
The Overall Weak Link — Defense
Defense has been a weakness for 2 seasons. No question about it. You only need to observe the teams deficiencies the past two years.
Linebackers: Inside and Outside
Brett Veach added Reggie Ragland and then signed the wow-player among all of the signings and trades Veach has made: Anthony Hitchens. That is a very solid inside linebacking pair and I am pleased as punch with the addition of both players. Yes, I too am sad about DJ’s departure. With the departure of KPL and Ramik Wilson, and Terrance Smith… ILB Ukeme Eligwe can move up the depth chart. Outside? We have Justin Houston and we have Dee Ford and although there will be a lot of conjecture about Ford, he is at least, qualified-as-a-starter, and I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I am not giving up on Tanoh Kpassagnon either!
The Front Three? Oh Heavens!
There is, 1) a strength, 2) a MoR player, and 3) a total exposure. What can I say? Chris Jones is the strength, Allen Bailey did not perform well in 2017 — he is the MoR 3-4 Defensive End. The Chiefs don’t have a true NT unless it is Josh Augusta. Perhaps adding Xavier Williams helps but, I’m unsure of the depth players, as there are questions… but things are looking up in my view. I am not sure that existing players are a solution for NT. See Veach’s draft plan for an added remedy. However, the depth appears to be there so it will depend on what they do with Allen Bailey…or not. If he returns to his previous level of play in 2015, the Chiefs will have a good front three presuming they come up with a solution which will include addition of a top rookie. I do look for “XW”… if you will… to be part of the solution.
The Secondary – more work needs to be done but, it is not as serious due to…
… Eric Berry’s return in 2018 and the addition of Kendall Fuller and David Amerson. In regard to Berry, all film I have seen and statements tell me he is going to be 100% without a problem. Watching video of him working out tells me this is true. I cannot see him being less than he was but as with all Achilles tendon injuries, it is an abiding concern (witness DJ after his second injury). Brett Veach acquired a top corner in the Alex Smith trade in the person of Kendall Fuller and also added David Amerson. There’s talent there that can and will get the depth role solved (barring the injury bug which has affected them in the past two seasons). The Chiefs will probably add a meaningful, starting-quality, corner in the draft.
Ransom Hawthorne, in his “Lazy Big Board” of draft players will earmark potential safeties. Brett Veach should find a starter at Safety from the draft to take over for the departed Ron Parker. But if there ever was a time for Eric Murray, it’ll be in 2018. Maybe both he and a crucial addition will resolve any concern allowing Daniel Sorensen being fully deployed in his “special” role. The secondary is not “the” weak link any longer. How strong it will be will depend on David Amerson outside and Steven Nelson in the slot — plus whomever is added.
What About Dave Toub’s Special Teams?
I am pleased with re-working this team on both sides of the ball and though Dustin Colquitt is a graybeard, he may possibly be a punter at age 40. His retention tells a tale about how the coaching staff views his importance to the field position game. At the same time, Brett Veach solved the loss of Cairo Santos to injury as PK, with Harrison Butker. At long snapper? James Winchester has been totally solid so we have the three positions solidified. The players that fill the kick-off and return groups will be filled from the 44 who are carried weekly to the game roster. I am solid with the outlook for Special Teams.
Swapping Out the General Manager!
I am not doom and gloom at all. This team has a completely different makeup in leadership and the 3 C’s: Consistency, Continuity, Cohesiveness. Problematic players are gone… the team is considerably younger … and to date, 
Brett Veach has been very successful in his many moves. Already though, he found that Kevin Pierre-Louis was not a fit and he moved on to Free Agency and ultimately the NY Jets. I wish him well. A John Dorsey choice, Ramik Wilson, has also moved on, and I don’t have an answer as to how or why he fell out of favor but we do know he was already cut one previously. So, he is gone. I like what Veach has done thus far and he has convinced me he was a very good choice to replace Dorsey, about whom you may know I was a huge supporter. Today? After nine months with Brett Veach at the helm? I have turned my attention to his activities and successes. I will make a final judgement for the year at the selections in his first draft. Thus far? I am 100% in the Veach camp.
What will Veach do in the draft?
I do have a draft order, based on importance and it is my view that this is going to be a consideration of how Brett Veach and the Scouting Crew approach the draft. It is: NT, FS, CB, OL in that order and I think it is a valid order. I see no reason why Veach and Co. can’t come up with 3 starting-quality players in this draft, maybe four. The Chiefs need a #3 QB if they are going to carry 3. Again, I refer you to Ransom’s Lazy Big Board for a good view of the draft and players who fit.
I’ll leave it right there. Go Chiefs.
David Bell – thinking on dressing a fly for the St. Joe River
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