Kansas City Chiefs: Grading the Strength of Each Position Unit Heading into Camp

For Kansas City Chiefs fans, the countdown to training camp has finally reached its launch date. On July 26, football's annual Survivor spinoff returned from its slumber. Newcomers will scale the depth chart while fan favorites attempt to thwart them like American Gladiators.

But if the regular season kicked off next Sunday, how would the Chiefs' projected roster fare?

Anybody can wave a wand and promote half-hollow guesses to progress reports. However, that stamp of approval holds little weight if it's only supported by vague arguments.

Nobody has a crystal ball in their closet, but Pro Football Focus does break down the stories behind the numbers and allow a 20/20 glimpse into the past. Being so, the most accurate method of grading units before training camp is to score each player's game—based heavily on Pro Football Focus' performance database—in various facets relevant to their position.

Adding the categorical scores and dividing the sum by the total possible points will churn out a grade/percentage for each player. The unit's score then factors in every athlete's weighted value (represented by a percentage beside their name) before outputting a final grade for the position.

	(Category No. 1	+	Category No. 2)	/ Total	=	Score
Starter (Weighted Value)	8/10		3/5	15		73 Percent
Second-Stringer (Weighted Value)	6/10		4/5	15		67 Percent

In other words, being that starters account for the majority of regular-season reps, the Chiefs' running back grade will put more stock into Jamaal Charles' rating than Shaun Draughn's.

Now that you've popped two aspirin and remember why you dropped out of accounting, let's start.

Quarterback (3)

Bubble watch: Ricky Stanzi.

Alex Smith: Upgrading from Matt Cassel to Alex Smith is like trading in Zack Morris' cellular brick for an iPhone: The former is renowned for its flaws; the latter is more mobile and can process tasks infinitely quicker.

In 2012, Smith headlined the NFL's quarterback class by completing 70.2 percent of his passes. He also ranked first in play-action scenarios, connecting on 77.6 percent of throws and averaging 11.8 yards per attempt.

When juxtaposed with Cassel or Brady Quinn, Smith's decision-making lies at the opposite end of the spectrum—he'll forfeit a sack before heaving a prayer into double coverage.

No. 11 doesn't tote a rocket launcher for an arm, but he compensates for it by reading defenses like books and slinging pinpoint passes.

Smith is the undisputed leader that Kansas City fans have scavenged for since Trent Green's infamous concussion.

Chase Daniel: Daniel has spent his first three seasons under the tutelage of Drew Brees, which will offer you invaluable pointers and the warmest seat on the bench. Considering that he has only slung nine regular-season passes, it's hard to gauge his progress in the NFL.

In college, Daniel was a fleet-footed playmaker who flaunted deadly accuracy. However, the majority of his snaps stemmed from the shotgun (in a spread offense) while staring down the shooting range known as Big 12 defenses. Furthermore, he'd have to resuscitate a pair of Reebok Pumps before cracking the 6'0" mark. 

Tyler Bray: Bray's athleticism looks reminiscent of a drama club pickup game, but his arm strength would force someone to strap a bib on Brett Favre. If he veers away from TMZ-flavored mistakes, Bray has a shot to become a respected starter within a handful of years.

	Accuracy	Arm Strength	Decision-Making	Mobility	Intangibles	Score
Alex Smith (.9)	10/10	7/10	9/10	4/5	4.5/5	86
Chase Daniel (.08)	8/10	8/10	6.5/10	4/5	2.5/5	73
Tyler Bray (.02)	6/10	10/10	6/10	2/5	2.5/5	66

Weighted average: 85 percent

Final Grade: B

Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Running Back (4)

Jamaal Charles: Charles is the NFL's all-time leader in yards per carry (minimum of 500 attempts). He's also in his prime. 

With Andy Reid at the helm, Charles' carries are bound to drop, but his overall production will likely do the opposite. The Chiefs' new-look offense will employ more motion—seeing Charles shift out to the slot will likely evolve into a theme on third downs.

While the tailback's open-field elusiveness is common knowledge, his blocking proficiency often goes unnoticed. Charles played the role of pass-blocker 58 times in 2012. During those snaps, he only allowed two quarterback hurries and didn't sacrifice a single quarterback hit nor sack. 

Charles is far more than a home run hitter. 

Knile Davis: Davis' boom-or-bust potential resides in the same neighborhood as Tyler Bray's. The only thing quicker than his 4.35 40 time is his tendency to cough up the football. 

Recurring ankle injuries put his rise to stardom on hold, and he needs to rectify his fumbling flaws before jogging onto an NFL field.

If he can remedy the issue and remain healthy, Davis could prove to be a third-round steal. 

Cyrus Gray: Gray missed the bulk of his rookie season due to injury, but he has the potential to become a reliable third-down option.

Shaun Draughn: Draughn is expected to survive the final cut, but he often struggled while spelling Charles in 2012. Out of the 59 running backs who participated in at least 25 percent of their team's snaps last year, Draughn ranked dead last in blocking efficiency.  

	Speed	Agility	Vision	Receiving	Intangibles	Rating
Jamaal Charles (.85)	10/10	9.5/10	10/10	9/10	9/10	95
Knile Davis (.125)	10/10	8/10	8/10	6.5/10	5.5/10	76
Cyrus Gray (.02)	9/10	6.5/10	6.5/10	8/10	7/10	74
Shaun Draughn (.005)	7/10	7/10	7/10	7/10	6/10	68

Weighted average: 92 percent

Final Grade: A-

Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required). 

Fullback (1)

Bubble watch: Braden Wilson, Toben Opurum.

Anthony Sherman: In the past, Andy Reid has rarely utilized fullbacks within his offensive scheme: There's practically no chance of him retaining two for the 53-man roster. 

Reid's the archenemy of predictability—one-dimensional fullbacks need not apply. 

Anthony Sherman is a steamrolling lead blocker with deceptive speed. Considering Jamaal Charles will be blurring the sound barrier behind him, the recently added fullback will need to showcase every modicum of speed that he possesses.

But Reid and John Dorsey didn't send Javier Arenas packing for a prototypical fullback in return.

Sherman often doubled as a receiving threat during his collegiate stint at Connecticut. For unknown reasons, the Arizona Cardinals never implemented their former fullback's signature skill—Reid won't fall victim to the same mistake. 

	Run Block	Pass Block	Rush	Receiving	Score
Anthony Sherman	8/10	3/5	2.5/5	9/10	75

Weighted average: 75 percent

Final Grade: C 

Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Wide Receiver (6)

Bubble watch: Terrance Copper, Josh Bellamy, Mardy Gilyard, Rico Richardson.

Dwayne Bowe: If Paul, the alien, would've visited Arrowhead in 2010 and had overheard you predict that one of Matt Cassel's receivers would become a Pro Bowler, he would've lost hope in discovering intelligent life and backtracked to Area 51. 

Miracles: they do exist. 

Three seasons ago, Dwayne Bowe looked every part of a top-five wideout. But every receiver is at the mercy of his quarterback, and Kansas City's quarterbacks soon reverted to their spectacularly mediocre forms. 

Bowe is still a standout No. 1 receiver who defensive coordinators game-plan around. Despite taking flack in the past, his hands are better than critics will admit. A season ago, Bowe only dropped six passes (5.6 percent) throughout the 107 instances he was targeted (a lower percentage than Calvin Johnson). 

He exhibits average speed, but meticulous route-running continues to serve as the catalyst when No. 82 creates separation. Even if the receiving corps fails to meet expectations, Alex Smith's even-keeled distribution will ease the pressure on Bowe's shoulders. 

Jon Baldwin: Baldwin now has a robotically accurate passer and revered coaching at his disposal: If he recoils into an afterthought like years' past, it's on him. 

In his second season, he only managed to reel in 43.5 percent of the balls thrown in his direction—last amongst receivers who lined up in at least one-quarter of their team's offensive plays. However, he only dropped one of his 46 targets. In other words, the passes wobbling his way reeked with the (in)accuracy of drunken dart tosses. 

Baldwin's lackadaisical route-running doesn't help matters, though. 

Dexter McCluster: Supplying Andy Reid with Dexter McCluster is like handing a Photoshop disc to Rembrandt. 

From a passing standpoint, McCluster fits the conventional mold of slot receivers: evasive agility and subpar hands.  

In Reid's offense, the prevalence of pre-snap shifting will likely mirror that of the 2010 squad. While operating within the confines of that offense, McCluster led the league in average yards after the catch (eight); that number plummeted to 4.2 in 2012. 

Last season, the Chiefs' shifty slot receiver caught 74.3 percent of his intended targets (ranked sixth amongst receivers). However, throughout those 70 targets, McCluster also doubled as the culprit to seven drops. 

Donnie Avery: Speaking of drops, Donnie Avery allowed 12 passes to slip through his hands last year, tying for fourth-most in the NFL. The newcomer is a nightmare to tackle in space, but that serves little purpose if he can't manage to secure the football. 

Devon Wylie: Wylie was cut from the same cloth as Avery. When afforded breathing room, he looks like he mentored Road Runner. But Wylie was one of the many 2012 rookies who the injury bug stalked like a jealous ex. If the second-year speedster avoids a rematch, he could bloom into a noteworthy contributor. 

Junior Hemingway: Hemingway is a sure-handed receiver who can line up in the slot or outside, but he needs to refine his route-running before upgrading to the active roster. 

	Speed	Hands	Route-Running	Run After Catch	Intangibles	Score
Dwayne Bowe (.3)	7/10	8/10	9.5/10	9/10	5/5	86
Jon Baldwin (.225)	7/10	9/10	7/10	7/10	4/5	76
Dexter McCluster (.2)	9/10	6/10	7.5/10	9/10	4.5/5	80
Donnie Avery (.175)	9/10	5/10	8/10	8/10	3/5	76
Devon Wylie (.08)	10/10	6/10	6/10	9/10	1/5	71
Junior Hemingway (.02)	7/10	8/10	6/10	7/10	1/5	65

Weighted average: 79 percent

Final Grade: C+

Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Tight End (3)

Bubble watch: Demetrius Harris.

Anthony Fasano: Tight end should serve as the battleground for Kansas City's most tightly contested training camp duel. 

Anthony Fasano is routinely regarded as a top-tier blocker at the position. And while he'll never be the focal point of an aerial attack, his hands are severely underrated—Fasano has dropped just one pass since Week 1 of 2011. 

Travis Kelce: The Chiefs' third-rounder, Travis Kelce, presents the most upside of the threesome. He's a skillful route-runner who displays reliable hands and a deceptive sixth gear.

Kelce's aura of edginess can be a gift and a curse, but it usually reaps on-field rewards—his blocks divorce chinstraps from helmets. 

Tony Moeaki: When somebody mentions the name of Tony Moeaki, Chiefs fans tend to splinter into two factions. 

In 2010, the then-rookie appeared to be following in Tony Gonzalez's footsteps. Moeaki was a devastating blocker who embodied a rare brand of athleticism for his position.

Next preseason, his injury-riddled past reemerged in the form of an ACL tear.

A year later (2012), Moeaki resembled a shell of the budding rookie from 2010's playoff run. He remained a stingy pass-blocker, but his run blocking U-turned and drag-raced in the opposite direction. 

Obviously, rehabbing from a torn ACL will always skew effectiveness. Oftentimes, Moeaki couldn't re-anchor (first GIF) and was subsequently bull-rushed into the backfield (sixth video still). However, even when Moeaki wasn't planting on his surgically repaired left knee, defensive ends still managed to bolt past (sixth GIF) his inside shoulder.

To add insult to injury, he has also dropped nine of 114 targets (7.9 percent) throughout his two professional seasons. 

During the 2013 offseason, the Chiefs' tight end had the same injury-prone knee scoped, rendering him a sideline spectator as the new offense was installed throughout minicamp(s).  

Kansas City isn't holding its collective breath for the former starter's return—the front office signed Fasano and drafted Kelce for a reason. If Moeaki can gradually recover the strength (and confidence) in his left knee, the Chiefs will be the proud owners of a tight end corps that's teeming with talent. However, if history repeats itself, the front office won't be slamming the panic button this time around.  

	Hands	Route-Running	Run Block	Pass Block	Intangibles	Score
Anthony Fasano (.4)	8.5/10	7/10	8/10	9/10	5/5	83
Travis Kelce (.4)	8/10	8.5/10	8/10	8/10	2/5	77
Tony Moeaki (.2)	7.5/10	9/10	6.5/10	9/10	2/5	76

Weighted average: 79 percent

Final Grade: C+

Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Offensive Line (8)

Bubble watch: Steven Baker, Ryan Durand.

Branden Albert: The questions surrounding the Chiefs' offensive line rival its towering potential. 

Albert has been nothing short of an enigma over the years. In 2010, he evolved into a merciless run-blocker with voids in pass protection. In the following season, he morphed into a domineering pass-blocker while his run blocking fell back down to earth (although still well above average). Throughout 2012, Albert manhandled oncoming pass-rushers like his life depended on it, allowing one sack throughout the span of his 2012 campaign. But his run blocking took a drastic turn for the worst.

The key to the puzzle likely lies in the chronic back pain that plagued Albert last season: A two-point stance (e.g. passing situations) is infinitely easier on spines than exploding from a three-point stance (rushing downs) to an upright position. 

The upcoming year will dictate Albert's fate with the Chiefs.

Geoff Schwartz, Rodney Hudson: Schwartz and Rodney Hudson are no strangers to the injury report, either. When healthy, both have performed admirably. Schwartz, who's capable of sliding over to tackle, also adds a hint of diversity. 

Jon Asamoah: If Asamoah continues to develop, the right guard could mature into a perennial Pro Bowler. He's only entering his fourth season, and he showed light years of progress during the Chiefs' 2-14 nosedive. Asamoah won't wow anyone with his athleticism—he's not nearly as nimble as Schwartz—but if he lands both paws on you, you're a half-second away from becoming his personal puppet. 

Eric Fisher: The new regime's first draft pick seemingly boasts a brighter future than that of Asamoah, which is no small feat. The No. 1 overall selection is a natural athlete who bares a blue-collar work ethic. Fisher oozes with poise versus edge-rushers: Even in the rare occurrence that opponents gain leverage, he normally stonewalls them after replanting his feet. And when the bookend's hands latch under defenders' pads, the rusher is better off hitting the reset button and conserving energy. 

Fisher silenced skeptics at the Senior Bowl. Texas standout Alex Okafor consistently bullied the offensive tackles placed in front of him, but Kansas City's rookie laid clamps on Okafor time after time (with one exclusion). 

While his game is tailored for the archetypal mold of a franchise left tackle, Fisher's switch to right tackle will only aid his transition to the big leagues. The 6'7" security blanket needs to improve his upper body strength—bull rushes seem to score the highest marks against him—and rotating to the right end should minimize any potential disadvantages.

Donald Stephenson: Stephenson's 2012 campaign saw its fair share of highs and lows. He's quicker than his size would suggest, which often allows him to gain the upper hand on rushing downs. However, Stephenson's flaws tend to be exposed when he's protecting as opposed to plowing.

Eric Kush: Kush is a tough-nosed, small-school prospect who can be penciled in at any position on the line. But he's a long-term project who's more than one training camp away from contributing on Sundays. 

Jeff Allen: Based on 2012, Metta World Peace will deliver Yale's commencement speech before anyone unearth's the reason for snagging Allen in the second round. He's not quick nor athletic enough to line up at tackle, but sluggish reaction time and lackluster strength foil his efforts at guard. 

In a pool of 160 guards, Pro Football Focus slotted Allen at No. 158 in blocking efficiency. 

	Run Block	Pass Block	Penalties	Intangibles	Score
Branden Albert (.18)	8.5/10	9.5/10	7.5/10	4/5	84
Geoff Schwartz (.18)	9/10	7.5/10	8/10	3.5/5	80
Rodney Hudson (.18)	8/10	8.5/10	9/10	3/5	81
Jon Asamoah (.18)	9/10	9.5/10	9/10	5/5	93
Eric Fisher (.18)	8.5/10	9/10	9/10	4.5/5	89
Donald Stephenson (.07)	8.5/10	6/10	6/10	4/5	70
Jeff Allen (.02)	4.5/10	5/10	6/10	3/5	53
Eric Kush (.01)	5/10	6/10	8/10	2/5	60

Weighted average: 83 percent

Final Grade: B

Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Defensive Line (7)

Bubble watch: Austen Lane.

Tyson Jackson: It's safe to say that the skill sets of Jackson and Dontari Poe are better suited for Bob Sutton's defense than Romeo Crennel's.

Jackson's collegiate success derived from an aggressive 4-3 scheme. Predictably, a passive 3-4 didn't prove to be his cup of tea. 

In the eyes of the new coaching staff, No. 94's first impressions have graduated to lasting ones, though. Making plays in padless OTAs is hardly noteworthy. But in the second half of 2012, Jackson did flash signs of progress when Crennel loosened his leash on passing downs. Sutton's not loosening the leash; he's tossing it in the dumpster. 

Dontari Poe: The mentality makeover comes as music to Poe's ears as well. Kansas City's nose tackle is a walking paradox: 350-pound men weren't designed to be freakish athletes. Despite his unrivaled physical talents, 2012 was a grueling learning process for Poe. That being said, removing a rookie from Memphis' attacking 4-3 front and slotting him into Crennel's read-and-react 3-4 is bound to form bumps in the road. 

With the new defense in place, there's no reason that Poe shouldn't make significant progress in 2013. 

Mike DeVito: DeVito provides two things: suffocating run support and textbook leadership. Considering his history with Sutton, the defensive end's production should remain relatively consistent. Last season (554 snaps), DeVito's year in review was free of penalties and marred by only one missed tackle. 

Allen Bailey: Bailey is purely a situational pass-rusher. However, he hasn't created a blip on the NFL radar since the Chiefs detoured Green Bay's pursuit of perfection in Week 15 of 2011. Bailey's roster spot is anything but secure. 

Jerrell Powe: The criticisms of Powe are justified: His weight has seesawed throughout his first pair of years, and his stamina has faced the consequences.

But things seem to be looking up for the 331-pound road block, as Powe has raised more than a few eyebrows amongst the coaching staff. 

Anthony Toribio: The veteran impressed his peers throughout the team's 2012 training camp. He was expected to be named the starting nose tackle heading into Week 1, but an injury sidelined Toribio and shoved Poe into the spotlight. He's an above-average run-stopper who can play both positions along the defensive line. 

Marcus Dixon: In less than a month's time, Dixon was released, re-signed and waived by the New York Jets. In the season prior to that debacle, Dixon amassed a healthy chunk of snaps (318) under Rex Ryan. His pass-rushing landed him on scouting boards, but his run defense ranked 15th among 3-4 defensive ends in 2011. Claiming that he hoists red flags in the character department would be an understatement, though.  

	Run Support	Pass Rush	Penalties	Intangibles	Score
Tyson Jackson (.3)	8/10	5.5/10	4.5/5	4/5	73
Dontari Poe (.3)	6.5/10	6/10	5/5	3.5/5	70
Mike DeVito (.3)	9/10	6.5/10	5/5	4/5	82
Allen Bailey (.02)	5/10	7.5/10	4/5	2/5	62
Jerrell Powe (.03)	7.5/10	6/10	3/5	3.5/5	67
Anthony Toribio (.02)	6/10	7/10	4/5	3/5	67
Marcus Dixon (.03)	7/10	7/10	3/5	3.5/5	68

Weighted average: 74 percent

Final Grade: C

Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Linebacker (9)

Justin Houston: Throughout his tenure at Arrowhead, it almost seemed like Scott Pioli was sent by the Patriots to sabotage the Chiefs. He showed Todd Haley the door less than a season after the team scored a wild-card berth. He (allegedly) bugged Arrowhead with enough equipment to send Edward Snowden into a full-fledged panic attack. And Matt Cassel...the horror. 

But he threw the scent off his Soviet spy trail by drafting Justin Houston. In two years, the linebacker jumped from a third-round pick to a Pro Bowler. 

Last season, Houston's 10 sacks ranked fifth among 3-4 outside linebackers (first in the AFC) while his 50 solo tackles finished second. In fact, Houston was the only 3-4 edge-rusher who yielded above-average scores in all four of Pro Football Focus' cumulative ratings (pass rush, run support, coverage and penalties). 

Nico Johnson: Alabama's ring hoarder is a two-down interior thumper. Johnson showcases strict gap discipline and solid fundamentals, but he periodically becomes a liability when covering shifty targets out of the backfield. 

Derrick Johnson: If a running back surges between the hash marks, there are 2:1 odds that Derrick Johnson corrals him as he breaks the line of scrimmage. 

Pro Football Focus defines an "offensive failure" as an instance in which the offense fails to pick up 40 percent of required first-down yardage on first down, 60 percent on second down or doesn't move the chains on third and/or fourth down.

Johnson prompted 72 such failures, tying J.J. Watt for the highest total amongst all positions. The All Pro has a knack for penetrating lines and driving offenses into a state of disarray. Bob Sutton will blitz Johnson in sub packages far more than former coordinators did in the past. 

Tamba Hali: The skill set of the longtime fan favorite isn't as balanced as that of his Pro Bowl cohorts. Hali was converted to an edge-rushing hybrid in 2009. When stranded in space, his average agility is exploited. When run blockers lock onto him, they often render him a non-factor. 

However, Hali is still an elite pass-rusher. Despite a Week 1 suspension, his nine sacks and 28 quarterback hurries still ranked eighth for 3-4 outside linebackers; his 42 solo tackles finished fourth.

The star's high-octane motor and whipping hand speed allow him to flourish on passing downs. He needs to minimize his inefficiencies against the rush, though. 

Frank Zombo: As an undrafted rookie, Zombo tallied four sacks and two forced fumbles throughout eight starts. Then, injuries subsequently derailed the following two years of his career. 

If he stays on the field, Zombo has the potential to be an under-the-radar steal. 

Akeem Jordan: Regardless of whether he earns the starting job, Jordan will see no shortage of playing time. 

He's not a threatening pass-rusher, but he is effective at combating the run. 

Zac Diles: Much like Zombo, Diles has graced the injury report far too many times throughout the past two seasons. A broken leg closed the curtains on his 2012 campaign. 

Diles performs reasonably well in coverage, but he doesn't particularly excel in any one area.

Mike Catapano: If Catapano grew his hair out and divided his braincells, he would look like a love child fathered by Steve Lattimer. 

As Ross Tucker, a former Princeton lineman, told Judy Battista of The New York Times, "The other guys on the team tell me he’s psycho."

In football, psycho and smart don't necessarily make for a bad marriage. 

Jumping from Princeton to the NFL is no small leap, but Catapano possesses the work ethic and physical tools to succeed. He illustrates an array of pass-rushing moves on film, reiterating that he's not your average Ivy Leaguer.  

Edgar Jones: Jones won't threaten the quarterback, but he's a decent run-stuffer and valuable special teams contributor.

	Pass Rush	Run Support	Coverage	Intangibles	Score
Justin Houston (.245)	9.5/10	9.5/10	10/10	9/10	95
Nico Johnson (.11)	7/10	8/10	7/10	8/10	75
Derrick Johnson (.245)	9/10	10/10	8.5/10	10/10	94
Tamba Hali (.245)	9.5/10	7/10	8.5/10	9.5/10	86
Frank Zombo (.02)	7.5/10	6/10	7/10	8/10	71
Akeem Jordan (.11)	7/10	8/10	7/10	8/10	75
Zac Diles (.01)	6/10	6/10	7.5/10	6.5/10	65
Mike Catapano (.01)	7.5/10	6/10	6/10	8/10	69
Edgar Jones (.005)	6/10	6/10	6/10	8/10	65

Weighted average: 87 percent

Final Grade: B+

Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Defensive Backs (9)

Bubble watch: Tysyn Hartman, Neiko Thorpe, Otha Foster, Brad McDougald.

Brandon Flowers: Flowers is annually snubbed when Pro Bowl rosters are released. The lockdown artist has landed in Pro Football Focus' top-five cornerback rankings in three of the last four years.

The only year he landed outside of the group? 2012, when he still finished as the No. 3 overall cornerback in the AFC. Receivers only snagged 50 percent of passes when covered by No. 24, and none of them eclipsed the century mark in single-game receiving yardage.

Flowers is a physical corner with superb ball skills and a high football IQ. 

Eric Berry: Obviously, some people recover from injuries more quickly than others. Not everyone is Adrian Peterson, who suffered an ACL tear, only to return looking like the next stage of human evolution.

Tony Moeaki was victimized by the same injury: Excluding a three-game stretch (Weeks 11, 12 and 13), his comeback trail was generally a rocky one. Adversely, Jamaal Charles—who posted five of his seven 100-plus-yard efforts after Week 8—gradually grew stronger throughout the season.

But nobody authored a sharper turnaround than Eric Berry.

Before the Chiefs' bye week (Week 7), Berry caused eight "offensive failures"; after the bye week, he triggered 36. Both of his double-digit-tackle performances and seven of his eight pass defenses also occurred in the latter half of the season. 

When Berry began trusting his surgically repaired knee and regained confidence in planting it, he made visible strides in man coverage. And, injured or not, the Chiefs' star safety has always doubled as a 211-pound bullet train against the run. 

If Berry resumes where he left off, he could easily become one of the league's top defensive playmakers. 

Kendrick Lewis: None of Lewis' tangible traits stand out on paper: He'll never be the athlete jumping out of your flat screen.

However, his football IQ compensates for average athleticism. Lewis is the brains of the secondary's operation, and he has an eye for turnovers when completely healthy. 

The free safety is in the last year of his contract. Lewis needs to revert to his pre-2012 form if he hopes to stay in Kansas City. 

Dunta Robinson: Robinson is a 5'10" battering ram. He recognizes plays in a heartbeat and adds insurance to run support outside of the tackle box. 

Despite his scrappiness, he's a corner who fares much better in zone than man, though. Robinson doesn't have the hips nor speed to consistently blanket quicker receivers. 

But zone affords the opportunity for him to backpedal while reading the passer, and Robinson anticipates the quarterback's eventual decision more times than not. 

Sean Smith: In many ways, Smith's game is the direct opposite of Robinson's. 

He's a 6'2", 215-pound corner who shines in bump-and-run coverage. Attacking him on go routes is tempting fate. 

But given his size, he doesn't change direction as fluidly as his aforementioned peers do. He also tends to drop surefire interceptions.

Despite being targeted more than any cornerback in the league last season, quarterbacks only completed 54.9 percent of their attempts in Smith's vicinity. 

Both he and Robinson can be unpredictable from one week to the next. 

Quintin Demps: Demps possesses a level of speed that's uncommon for safeties—especially strong safeties. His athleticism isn't as wide-ranging as Berry's, but it's still impressive.

Injuries have haunted him in the past, and he's not particularly reliable against the rush, but Demps is an upgrade compared to what last season's roster offered. 

Husain Abdullah: Abullah is slightly more athletic than Lewis, but he doesn't process information quite as quickly. 

He's a willing tackler who has a reputation for being a stickler against the run. The defensive playbook should open up when he and Berry are on the field together. 

If Abullah shakes off the rust following his year away from the game, he could supplant Lewis in the starting rotation. 

Sanders Commings: As of now, Commings is out indefinitely due to a broken collarbone he suffered while trying to swat a pass from Tony Moeaki. No timetable is etched in stone, but he's certain to miss several weeks.

Regardless, in a handful of years from now, Commings could prove to be the steal of Kansas City's 2013 draft. Like Berry and Demps, he flaunts unique speed for a safety and reads and reacts with little hesitation.

Commings isn't reluctant to launch his 223-pound frame—more than 10 pounds heavier than Berry's—at ball carriers, either. That being said, the aforementioned injury might force him to tone down his willingness throughout 2013. 

Jalil Brown: Brown could be the final player to make the 53-man cut. 

His past performance hasn't been indicative of someone who warrants a roster spot. The problem is that he's fending off subpar competition.

Brown's biggest asset is his size. However, he's constantly burned in man coverage, and average top-end speed doesn't allow him to recover.

Brown's also a magnet for flags. 

	Man	Zone	Run Support	Penalties	Intangibles	Score
Brandon Flowers (.225)	9.5/10	9/10	8.5/10	5/5	9/10	91
Eric Berry (.225)	7/10	8/10	9.5/10	4/5	9/10	83
Kendrick Lewis (.085)	7/10	8/10	7/10	5/5	8/10	76
Dunta Robinson (.1225)	6/10	8/10	10/10	4/5	7/10	80
Sean Smith (.1225)	8.5/10	7.5/10	7/10	3/5	9/10	80
Quintin Demps (.06)	6/10	7/10	6/10	5/5	8/10	71
Husain Abdullah (.08)	7/10	7/10	8/10	5/5	7/10	76
Sanders Commings (.04)	7.5/10	8/10	7/10	3/5	7.5/10	76
Jalil Brown (.04)	6/10	5/10	6/10	1/5	7/10	58

Weighted average: 81 percent

Final Grade: B-

Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Special Teams (3)

Dustin Colquitt: Colquitt is one of the most efficient punters in the NFL.

He limited 83 attempts to just 27 returns last season. Only one player, Dave Zastudil, sniped more punts inside of the 20. 

	Net Yards	Max. Hang Time	Percentage Ret.	Inside 20	Score
Dustin Colquitt (.5)	4/5	4.5/5	5/5	5/5	93

Ryan Succop: Succop is a fairly reliable kicker.

His field goal percentage (82.4 in 2012) has increased in each of the last three seasons. And while he doesn't own the strongest leg, he did register 2012's longest hang time during a kickoff. 

	Kickoffs	1-29	30-49	50+	Score
Ryan Succop (.5)	4/5	4/5	22/27	2/2	82

Thomas Gafford: He's the most obscure player on the depth chart, but he's also one of the most trustworthy long snappers in the league.

Gafford's name rarely enters conversations—in his case, that's a good thing. 

Weighted average: 88 percent

Final Grade: B+

Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

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