Right Out The Gate: Chiefs Rookies Show Promise, Yet Will Be Tested

Right Out The Gate: Chiefs Rookies Show Promise, Yet Will Be Tested – The Kansas City Chiefs offSeason was defined by a singular phrase: “Run It Back.” Yet, as the Chiefs kicked off their season with a dominant win over the Houston Texans, the focus fell squarely on Kansas City’s newcomers. For an organization that has historically preferred bringing rookies along slowly, these Chiefs appear poised to lean on major contributions from their draft class. This week against the Chargers, in Los Angeles, the contest offers their first major test. After this week’s game, and next week’s match-up, against the Baltimore Ravens, the Chiefs will have a good idea of what their young players truly bring to the table.

CB L’Jarius Sneed

Sneed impressed against a Texans team that tested him early and often, but he’ll have a much tougher task ahead. Keenan Allen doesn’t have Philip Rivers throwing him the ball anymore, but he remains among the league’s best route runners. Sneed will have to be disciplined in his tape work, and with his eyes, to stick to Allen. Any lapses he may have in man coverage, will certainly be scrutinized by upcoming opponents. Plenty of young CBs start strong, but fade as offenses study them. A second strong performance from Sneed would be an excellent sign for the Chiefs, moving forward, as he will likely have to play on an island again next week, against the Baltimore Ravens.

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire

CEH passed his first test with flying colors. Consider it an entrance exam. The Texans were never expected to be a difficult match-up, for the offense. Edwards-Helaire wasn’t drafted to help the Chiefs pound helpless Defenses. He was taken to give them an answer to some of the league’s best units. The Chargers, for all their faults, have given the Chiefs plenty of trouble, coming from Gus Bradley’s defense. In the 2019 regular season, Patrick Mahomes threw five interceptions, one in each of five separate games, but two of those were against the Chargers. Bradley has largely succeeded, against the Chiefs, by playing Cover 3 Zone and rushing four. The San Francisco 49ers did well against the Chiefs offense, with similar tactics. The primary weakness of such an attack, is short passes to players who can gain Yards After the Catch (YAC). To justify his draft slot, CEH must either produce big against Chargers defense, to force them to alter their defensive plans, opening things up for other players.

One other defense has given the Chiefs trouble at times: an aggressive man-to-man defense with press coverage and a lot of blitzing. CEH is also meant to be an antidote to such tactics. He’s not the greatest in pass protection, but he’s extremely dangerous, as a check-down vs the blitz. His considerable talent as a receiver, which Chiefs have yet to demonstrate, also makes him tough to handle, with man coverage. The Ravens game will be a good test of his ability to bolster the offense, against a more man-based scheme.

DE Mike Danna

With the injury to Alex Okafor, Mike Danna played almost 50% of the snaps against the Texans and acquitted himself pretty well. However, the Texans largely attacked the Chiefs up the middle, in the run game. Against the Chargers, Mike Danna will have to prove that he can hold the edge. Chiefs fans are well aware of what Austin Ekeler can do in space. Next week, against Lamar Jackson, Danna’s speed could prove essential, as K.C. attempts to combat the Ravens Run Option attack.

LB Willie Gay

At this point, Willie Gay is just contributing on special teams, but the need for his skill-set is more evident than ever. Texans gashed the Chiefs in the run game and Chiefs Linebackers were constantly behind, in coverage. Gay getting some snaps, this Sunday, would be a welcome sight. He’s well suited to cover speedy receiving backs, like Austin Ekler and could have a huge impact next week, vs the Ravens, if Chiefs can get him up to speed. Fans will naturally be impatient for Gay to reach the field, but Chiefs are, rightly, concerned with his long-term success. Gay’s potential is through the roof, it would be silly to waste, or delay, it’s realization by throwing him in when he’s not ready. Still, with existing options, Chiefs can’t afford to delay that arrival any longer than is strictly necessary.

Conclusion: Right Out The Gate

The early contributions from Chiefs draft class are promising and even an Undrafted Free Agent, Tershawn (Turk) Wharton, has managed to carve out a role. Fans shouldn’t get too hyped just yet though, those contributions came against a Texans team which has declined, talent-wise, since the Chiefs annihilated them in the playoffs. Big tests loom against the Chargers and the Ravens. RB CEH must make teams pay for light boxes, or repeated blitzes. CB L’Jarius Sneed needs to take every snap with Charvarisu Ward limited and Bashaud Breeland suspended. DE Mike Danna just needs to maintain solid play. LB Willie Gay needs to develop enough to see the field… if not against the Chargers, certainly versus the Ravens. Despite an already talented roster, quality production from Chiefs rookies could be a major factor in their quest for a second Super Bowl berth in a row.

Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne

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