Predicting Kansas City's Starting Lineup After the 1st Wave of Free Agency
Kansas City had a successful first week of free agency, acquiring key players and addressing multiple positions of big need. General manager John Dorsey succeeded in finding the best wide receiver available while also adding a pair of guards.
Head coach Andy Reid has a good group of football players before him and has a chance to succeed and take this team to the postseason in 2015.
Though it is still the middle of March, the starting roster is beginning to form. Here are the projected 22 starters for the Kansas City Chiefs going into the 2015 season.
Quarterback
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Starter: Alex Smith
Alex Smith is currently the highest-paid player on the roster, so it goes without saying that he will start under center. But this year will be a better one for Smith compared to last year.
After an impressive 7-3 start, Smith struggled as the Chiefs dropped three consecutive games and four of their last five games with Smith, before he became inactive in Week 17.
This time, he will benefit from an improved offense. There can't be any more excuses for Smith, and he will take full advantage of the talent around him this year.
Given that the Chiefs have only $135,675 of cap space right now, according to the NFLPA's public salary-cap information, they will likely release backup quarterback Chase Daniel.
However, Terrelle Pryor is a quarterback whom fans should be excited about if he gets an opportunity to play. Though he struggled in Oakland, Pryor was limited with what he had to work with and will have a better shot at success in Kansas City.
Running Back
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Starter: Jamaal Charles
Like the quarterback spot, it is obvious that Jamaal Charles is the primary running back on the team. While he has been one of the most dominant touchdown scorers in the league the past two seasons, he may not be in 2015, and for good reasons.
The addition of Jeremy Maclin will help open up the rest of the offense. The Chiefs have a viable weapon at tight end and a pair of backup scatbacks in Knile Davis and De'Anthony Thomas.
Charles will still continue to put up big numbers. The only difference is that he will no longer be the sole offensive player. Others will have a hand in consistently putting points on the scoreboard.
That is something the Chiefs and Charles desperately need. Charles won't be a workhorse anymore, reducing his chances of getting hurt.
With Davis and Thomas behind him, the Chiefs should have one of the best rushing games in the league.
Fullback
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Starter: Anthony Sherman
The Chiefs haven't had an impact player at fullback since Tony Richardson. Though most teams don't utilize the fullback spot much, the Chiefs are fortunate to have a dominant one in Anthony Sherman.
Sherman has come through as a pass-catcher in the very few occasions he has been called upon to do so. But his primary duty has been as a blocker, and he is a big reason for Charles' success.
With defenders having to worry about Maclin and other targets on the Chiefs, it could even open up space for Sherman, creating some plays that will catch defenses off guard and help the Chiefs move the chains and find the end zone.
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Tight End
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Starter: Travis Kelce
Last year was essentially Travis Kelce's rookie season, as he missed the 2013 campaign with an injury. In the end, Kelce shined and showed everyone what Kansas City could have done during Reid's first season.
Kelce had to split time with Anthony Fasano in 2014. Kelce started 11 games, while Fasano started 13. Even so, Kelce still led the team in catches, receiving yards and touchdown grabs; he was the only tight end in the league to lead a team in all three categories.
He finished 2014 with 67 catches for 862 yards and five touchdowns. Now that he is expected to start all 16 games, Kelce's numbers can only go up in 2015 with Maclin's help.
Wide Receiver
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Starters: Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant
Given that the Chiefs added Maclin and re-signed Jason Avant, questions rise as to whether or not the Chiefs still go with a wide receiver in the first round. Even if they add a wide receiver in the draft, that player may not start in Week 1.
Maclin and Avant will reunite in Kansas City, as they both played for Reid in Philadelphia. The two have a good knowledge of Reid's offense and are familiar with his expectations.
The Chiefs have not had a wide receiver log a 100-yard receiving game in 30 games. Donnie Avery was the last to do so in Week 3 of the 2013 season against the Eagles. Expect that to change in 2015 for the Chiefs with a better receiving corps.
Offensive Line
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Starting left tackle: Eric Fisher
Starting left guard: Ben Grubbs
Starting center: Cameron Erving (rookie)
Starting right guard: Paul Fanaika
Starting right tackle: Jeff Allen
The offensive line spots for Eric Fisher, Ben Grubbs and Paul Fanaika are fairly obvious. The center and right tackle positions at the offensive line are uncertain at this point.
Donald Stephenson has not played well since being drafted in 2012. Jeff Allen missed 2014 due to injury but made some strong impressions when he started a couple of games as a Chief. Allen is also versatile and can play multiple positions at offensive line.
With Rodney Hudson moving on to the Raiders, the Chiefs will seek a new center. Cameron Erving from Florida State would make for a good pick in the draft. Florida State saw improvement from Erving when he moved to center.
The Chiefs allowed 49 sacks, the seventh most in 2014, and want to turn that around with a refined offensive line.
Defensive Line
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Starting right defensive end: Mike DeVito
Starting nose tackle: Dontari Poe
Starting left defensive end: Allen Bailey
Pro Bowl nose tackle Dontari Poe has made plenty of strides the past two seasons after a quiet rookie season. He has played well against the run and has pressured quarterbacks in addition to helping outside linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston get to the quarterback.
Mike DeVito's return makes for an interesting situation, as Allen Bailey proved his worth, earning a contract extension midseason. Both defensive ends are good against the run, and Reid will want to use both players. Reid may keep DeVito at the right side and have Bailey switch to the left.
Linebackers
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Starting outside linebackers: Tamba Hali and Justin Houston
Starting inside linebackers: Derrick Johnson and Ben Heeney (rookie)
Tamba Hali and Justin Houston have started together since midway through 2011, Houston's rookie season. Since then, the two have been the most dominant pass-rushing duo in the NFL, and fans began to take note of that in 2013.
Though Houston is currently seeking a new deal, the two sides will eventually come to an agreement. After all, there is no way the Chiefs could let him walk after an impressive 22-sack season. Houston and Hali were a big reason why the defense never surrendered more than 29 points in a game in 2014. There is no way the Chiefs lose that duo.
As for the interior linebackers, it is evident the Chiefs missed Derrick Johnson and his ability to defend the run after Kansas City finished 28th. Through my mock drafts, I have praised Ben Heeney, a linebacker who got little attention in college while playing at Kansas.
The former Jayhawk tied third in solo tackles with 88 in 12 games and was a top performer at the combine, recording the best workout in the three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle while also placing fifth in the 40-yard dash.
With Johnson and Heeney beside each other and DeVito returning at defensive end, Kansas City's 28th-ranked run-stopping defense will improve.
Defensive Backs
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Starting cornerbacks: Sean Smith and Phillip Gaines
Starting strong safety: Tyvon Branch
Starting free safety: Husain Abdullah
The Chiefs have one of the best and underrated cornerbacks in Sean Smith. Also, Phillip Gaines showed a lot of improvement throughout his rookie season in 2014.
Husain Abdullah made strides while replacing Kendrick Lewis and having to step up while Eric Berry missed 10 games. Adding Tyvon Branch helps the secondary. Ron Parker is a versatile defensive back who can play safety and cornerback. He has experienced most of his success as a corner and should see plenty of time there.
With a strong pass rush, all of the defensive backs are due for a good season.
The only question is Eric Berry's health. If he is cleared to play, Kansas City's defense will be stronger.
Special Teams
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Punter: Dustin Colquitt
Kicker: Cairo Santos
Long snapper: Brandon Hartson
Kick returner: Knile Davis
Punt returner: De'Anthony Thomas
The only change going into 2015 will be the long snapper, previously held by Thomas Gafford. He was not retained, and it appears the Chiefs may move forward without him.
Santos struggled early in his NFL career, missing two of his first four field goals, but he got going soon afterward. Dustin Colquitt continues to do well for the Chiefs as a punter.
Return specialists Knile Davis and De'Anthony Thomas both did great under Dave Toub, and the two are expecting to make a big impact again in 2015.
All statistics courtesy of ESPN.com unless noted otherwise.
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