Projecting Kansas City's Most Heated Roster Battles This Offseason
The Kansas City Chiefs have completed a successful free agency and draft as they go into OTAs knowing what a majority of the starting roster, as well as most of the 53-man roster, will look like.
A few of positions are up for grabs, and the franchise wants to pick the right players to help improve from a 9-7 season after falling just short of a postseason appearance.
A couple of starting spots and some key No. 2 positions are available. Chiefs coach Andy Reid and the rest of the coaching staff know the probable candidates for each of these spots and will closely view each battle.
Here are six position battles Chiefs fans can expect in OTAs and training camp.
Starting Right Tackle: Donald Stephenson and Jeff Allen
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Donald Stephenson and Jeff Allen, two second-day 2012 draft picks for Kansas City, go head-to-head at right tackle. After Allen suffered a season-ending injury prior to the start of the preseason and Stephenson dealt with a four-game suspension, the Chiefs were in trouble at the offensive line due to their absences.
Stephenson was available for the 2014 season after his suspension but saw just 31 snaps in eight games.
Both Stephenson and Allen would love to walk into Week 1 as a starter and keep that role for 16 games.
With his suspension and quiet 2014 season, Stephenson looks to make the most of 2015. Allen has been praised for his versatility, being able to play multiple spots at offensive line.
Though Allen is capable of playing at tackle, we have seen him more at guard, while Stephenson is more experienced at tackle in the NFL.
Prediction for Week 1 starter: Donald Stephenson
Starting Right Guard: Paul Fanaika, Zach Fulton and Jeff Allen
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As mentioned in the previous slide, Allen can play both tackle and guard. It is uncertain if he'll focus more on right tackle or right guard, but he is a sure candidate for both, at least for now.
He will vie for the spot against Zach Fulton and newly acquired Paul Fanaika.
Fulton was a sixth-round rookie in 2014 who was thrust early into a starting role due to injuries and Stephenson’s suspension.
Fulton started all 16 games at right guard and was above-average, allowing only three sacks and committing just five penalties. Including the playoffs, Fanaika gave up just two sacks in all of 2014, which was a big improvement after surrendering seven the year before.
Given how well Fulton did as a rookie, he may be given a second shot with the expectation being that he will do even better if he gets more reps in training camp and with the first-team offense in the preseason. Allen and Fanaika may still see plenty of action, especially if Fulton struggles.
Prediction for Week 1 starter: Zach Fulton
Starting Inside Linebacker: Josh Mauga and Ramik Wilson
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Kansas City missed Derrick Johnson last season after an Achilles injury in Week 1 sidelined him for the rest of the year. Without its leader, the defense had trouble stopping the run and earning takeaways.
Josh Mauga showed some flashes in 2014, showcasing his closing speed against ball-carriers and limiting them in rushing yards or runs after the catch. In 2015, the Chiefs drafted a talented linebacker in Ramik Wilson who has the ability to start in the NFL.
Due to experience, Mauga will start to kick off the season, but he must show consistency in order to maintain his starting duties.
Prediction for Week 1 starter: Josh Mauga
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No. 2 Cornerback: Phillip Gaines and Marcus Peters
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Cornerback is the most challenging position for defensive rookies in the NFL, as they are responsible for the quarterback as well as defending wide receivers and tight ends and sometimes having to go up against scatbacks.
Though Marcus Peters may be tabbed as the most talented corner in the draft, the Chiefs have the defense to ease his transition into starting.
Unless starting cornerback Sean Smith is out early with a suspension for a DUI charge last summer, Peters will handle duties at the nickel spot.
Given the strong pass rush, defensive backs in Kansas City have an easier time, which makes the transition even better for Peters. Eventually, he will take over as one of the two starters in 2015.
Prediction for Week 1 No. 2 CB: Phillip Gaines
No. 2 Wide Receiver: Jason Avant and Albert Wilson
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Jason Avant reunited with Reid midseason in 2014, whom he had played for in Philadelphia. Albert Wilson showed flashes and impressed a lot of fans with his speed when he rose late in the season.
With Jeremy Maclin as the offense’s top wideout and Travis Kelce at tight end, it will create opportunities and allow Avant and Wilson to get open in the field. Whoever starts opposite of Maclin will get more targets and receptions.
Given how well Avant knows Reid’s playbook, he will open the season as a starter, but Albert may creep up as he gains more experience and could finish as a starter before the end of the season.
Prediction for Week 1 No. 2 WR: Jason Avant
No. 2 Running Back: Knile Davis and De’Anthony Thomas
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Kansas City drafted Knile Davis in 2013 and De’Anthony Thomas in 2014. Both serve as running backs behind Jamaal Charles and take care of return duties on special teams.
However, the Chiefs will want more from their backup running backs. The team can’t always rely on Charles and must rotate him with another running back.
Both Davis and Thomas have tremendous breakaway speed, and the Chiefs need to use that to their advantage. And while both scatbacks will see time on offense, just like last year, one will see more snaps than the other.
Though Davis earned more carries in his second year, he showed no improvement from his yards-per-carry average, finishing with a 3.5 each season since being taken out of Arkansas. He also cost the team with fumbles.
In Thomas’ limited action on offense, he ran for 113 yards and a touchdown off 14 carries while also pulling in 23 grabs for 156 yards.
Though Davis has the slight edge in experience, Thomas’ explosive playmaking ability is what the offense needs to move the chains and inch closer to the end zone.
Prediction for Week 1 No. 2 RB: De’Anthony Thomas
All statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
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