The Maturation of Key Chiefs Players

The Maturation of Key Chiefs Players – During the offseason, for all NFL teams, it’s time to build the roster. What is there that Brett Veach needs to evaluate for this process? He needs to consider what he has on the current roster, and predict which young players will mature to the next level on the football field. That is the key component of an NFL team having success year after year, is for the young players to take on bigger roles each given year.

.

Before I profile the players I should explain that a football player’s maturity level is slightly different than a normal everyday person’s maturity. Football maturity is to show the ability to process within the game skills quickly, and to elevate their level of play from one game till the next. Then also to elevate their level of skills from one year into the next year. Even rookies can show advanced maturity from college level skills to the pro level.  

.

Wide Receivers 

Hardman has shown many highlight plays in his 2 years as a Chief, but no consistency, no focus, no reliability. IOW, he’s not been dependable. With the reduced team salary restraints Mecole needs to mature and elevate his level of play to a Wide Receiver #2. Which would include the ability to block, run all routes, run correct routes, get open much of the time, do not drop passes. So far, in two seasons, he hasn’t shown the skill set needed by the Chiefs 90+% of the time to be successful in the 2021 season. 

.

.

Pringle has shown glimpses of a quality wide receiver, maybe his limited snaps did not allow him to progress faster. Could be his practice reps did not show that he deserved more snaps, I’m sure that the Chiefs coaches know which case to be true. As Byron is an Exclusive Rights Free Agent, and the Chiefs do re-sign him, then that tells me that he has potential to elevate to at least a #3 Wide Receiver. Much the same as I stated about Mecole also applies to Byron, he must elevate and mature to a high skilled player for Chiefs to have success in 2021. 

.

.

Running Backs

CEH showed top level run skills in his rookie year. He needs better run blocking offensive lineman of course while CEH also needs to improve on pass catching, and pass rush blocking skills. I believe the limited offseason OTA’s and mini-camps hindered his ability to fully progress as a rookie Running Back needs to, but in the 2021 season if is going to be counted on as a starter above returning RB Damien Williams, then he needs to show more all-around ability in all phases of the offense. If he does not win the role of the starting running back, then he still needs to be mature enough to accept the importance of a #2 running back.

.

.

As Darrel Williams is a Restricted Free Agent running back, and Kansas City should re-sign him, then he needs to show the same tough straight ahead rushing abilities that he showed last year when called on. As a third string running back he is needed for the run game tough to get yards, and always ready for any role, if the other RBs are injured. Depth at the running back position is a key ingredient during a long season, and a mature qualified veteran but still young enough to be healthy when counted on is vital for the Chiefs Team championship quest every year. 

.

.

Offensive Lineman 

Filling in last year at left guard as an injury replacement, Nick showed that he was adequately ready for a starting role. Now in 2021 Nick needs to expand and improve on his abilities. It’s not necessarily just his individual blocking skills, but also his communication skills to allow the center and left tackle to be better players also. As Nick is now in his third season as a NFL player, he needs to show the maturity to accomplish whatever is asked of him. Also what is needed from the entirety of the offensive line, to be better at protecting the franchise QB Patrick Mahomes. 

.

Niang was a third round draft pick in April 2020, but he opted out because of Covid-19. Now the Chiefs are in dire need of not only healthy starting tackles, they also are in need of healthy backup depth at the tackle positions. Even though Lucas is basically still a rookie (a first year player), he needs to show that he has matured football wise, to the level of a first year starter, and to do so at whichever position -could be RT, LT, or Swing Tackle- that he is deemed qualified for. Here, the Fort Worth Star Telegram shares an important stat about Niang: 

.

“Niang didn’t allow a sack in his college career,

including seven games in 2019 and all 13 games he started in 2018.

He had 1,027 career pass-block snaps.”

.

You can be certain that this stat was a primary reason the Chiefs took him last year with their 96th pick overall. Time to get him on the field.

.

Defensive Lineman

As an Undrafted Rookie Free Agent, Tershawn Wharton showed that he was ready for the NFL level of football. Now in 2021 Tershawn must show that he is ready to elevate his football maturity, and to take on a bigger role with more snap counts in a rotation role as a defensive tackle, with Derrick Nnadi and Chris Jones. He must show an enhanced ability in the defensive tackle run stopping role, and to show a much needed ability to put pressure on the Quarterback. 

.

.

Mike Danna was another Undrafted Rookie Free Agent in the 2020 season for the Chiefs. When he was activated to a rotational role player filling in for injury replacement situations, then he performed admirably. Danna displayed the ability as a defensive end to adequately set the edge during opponent’s run games, and he also did show some skills at rushing the QB. Now in 2021 he must further show improvement in a rotational defensive end role, and earning a starters role with elevated play would be a huge plus. 

.

.

In limited play last season because of an early season injury, Taco Charlton showed that he had some potential to help in a rotational role. Now as he is a free agent defensive end, I would like to see the Chiefs re-sign him for at least another year, for the appropriate cost of course. Taco showed that he had adequate abilities in both run and pass defense, with his limited snaps. Now in the 2021 season Taco must elevate his football maturity level to a more enhanced skill set of a starters position. 

.

.  

Linebackers

Willie Gay showed many highlights in his limited snaps, mostly in the role of a rotational run stopping linebacker, but we also know that he does have pass coverage skills also, now hopefully this offseason can be closer to normal than what last year was. If given more practice reps, then I would expect Willie to earn a full time starting role. With his limited play last year we saw enough potential from Willie, that he could advance his level of play to that of a Pro Bowl linebacker. If he is able to quickly learn all phases of the linebacking duties, then an enhanced maturity level would take care of the rest of his development. 

.

.

Cornerbacks

L’Jarius Sneed was a huge surprise last year, as a 5th round draft pick not much was expected from him as far as an immediate starter. He not only started, but he was the best rookie CB for the entire league. Now in year two, he needs to mature to a shutdown level cornerback, to the point where quarterbacks avoid throwing the ball to his side of the field. L’Jarius needs to develop into a surefire pro bowl level cornerback. Can easily be done so just by improving on all facets of the game. Listen to the Chiefs excellent defensive backfield coaches, while advancing his technique abilities. 

.

.

Rashad Fenton has been a valuable rotational depth cornerback, always producing adequate fill in play when needed. Now in 2021, Fenton needs to mature to a full time starter at cornerback, whether it be as an outside #2 or at the slot cornerback position. Most of his snap counts have been on the outside, but in the two years of Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s tenure, we have seen that his CB’s play inside, outside and even back at safety. So the more versatile that Reshad can show he is capable of, the more he will play. 

.

.

DeAndre Baker was a former 1st round draft pick of the New York Giants, but he had a rough start in the NFL, both on the field and off. He is now with the Chiefs as a second redeeming chance to show what he was thought to be when drafted. He only played in game 17 last year, but suffered a broken leg. Yet in his limited time on the field he showed the potential to be a clear cut bona-fide starting Cornerback. Now in 2021 he must produce consistency along with durability, and yes versatility, to earn full time starter status. 

.

.

Safeties

Juan Thornhill showed enormous potential his rookie year in 2019, but suffered an ACL injury, in the last game of the regular season. Then in 2020 Juan progressed back slowly, throughout the season, looking a step slow, but then in the playoffs his level of play showed that he was 100% healthy. His potential once again shined, and I expect him to be a Pro Bowl Safety, sooner rather than later. His greatest proficiencies are his ball skills, and speed. 

.

.

Punter

Tommy Townsend was a rookie in 2020, but in following longtime Chief punter, Dustin Colquitt, the standard for him was at a high level. While producing high overall distance numbers, his net average was not at the level that Dustin had spoiled us with for so many years. Tommy needs to better attain the ability to place punts inside the 20 yard line. His place holding duties for extra points and field goals was much maligned last year. The missed short easy kicks were not corrected till late into the year. 

.

.

Summary

Any of my player’s profiles are based on what happens during free agency. Final salary cap structure will also affect what players are on the Chiefs roster in 2021. Whichever players are on the team, the younger unproven ones need to quickly mature, football wise. Of the 15 players that i listed, if 50% produce at a higher level than last year the Chiefs will have a good season. 100% improvement from all players is a broad hope, but certainly attainable, and if accomplished the Kansas City Chiefs will go to the Super Bowl, yet again.

.

Alan Haupt — ArrowheadOne

.

If you are viewing this in Apple News and would like to join the Discussion, [GO HERE.](http://arrowheadone.com/the-maturation-of-key-chiefs-players/#disqus_thread)