NFL1000: Kansas City Chiefs 2017 NFL Draft Preview
The 2016 Chiefs finished with a 12-4 record, taking their first AFC West title since 2010. They did so with a managed passing attack, a powerful run game and a great front seven. Unfortunately, success in the playoffs has proven to be elusive for the franchise—they lost a close one to the Steelers in the divisional round and haven't made the conference championship since 1993, when Joe Montana was their quarterback.
The playoff loss to the Steelers was a referendum on quarterback Alex Smith to a degree—Smith has been an efficient but unspectacular field general for the team since he was acquired in 2013, but his inability to bust through the 200-yard barrier against Pittsburgh brought up all the old complaints—he's too risk-averse, he can't throw deep.
If the Chiefs are to take the next step, they'll have to do it with someone who can do more. Kansas City's defense limited Pittsburgh to six field goals, and Smith couldn't ascend to capitalize, which seems to be a familiar story.
The likelihood of anyone but Smith starting is low; backup Nick Foles went back to Philadelphia, and neither Tyler Bray nor Joel Stave is ready for that kind of responsibility. Any draft pick would be developmental. So, the Chiefs will have to do what any team would do with Alex Smith: Make sure everything around him is as optimal as possible.
In that regard, Andy Reid and his staff are in relatively good shape. Spencer Ware has defined the ground game, taking the sting out of losing Jamaal Charles. The receiver group is solid if unspectacular. Tight end Travis Kelce has become the best at his position. Tyreek Hill became a multiposition star in his rookie season, adding some explosiveness to the offense. The offensive line is developing, and the defense under Bob Sutton is exceptional.
The 2017 Chiefs seem to be a lot like the 2016 Chiefs—a well-built team that will go as far as its limited quarterback can take it. And once again, that might not be enough.
Methodology
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The NFL1000 team of scouts graded a series of important attributes for every player in their positional review. Using a scale starting at zero and going up to anywhere from five to 50 based on the position and the attribute, our scouts graded each player based on their own expertise and countless hours of tape review over the years. Our evaluators had specific positional assignments based on their proven fields of expertise.
- Doug Farrar: Lead scout/quarterbacks
- John Middlekauff: Running backs/fullbacks
- Marcus Mosher: Wide receivers/tight ends
- Mark Schofield: Wide receivers/tight ends
- Duke Manyweather: Offensive tackles
- Ethan Young: Offensive guards
- Joe Goodberry: AFC defensive ends
- Justis Mosqueda: NFC defensive ends
- Charles McDonald: Defensive tackles
- Zach Kruse: 3-4 outside linebackers
- Derrik Klassen: 4-3 outside linebackers
- Jerod Brown: Inside linebackers
- Kyle Posey: Cornerbacks
- Ian Wharton: Cornerbacks
- Mark Bullock: Safeties
- Chuck Zodda: Special teams
Each corresponding position slide was written by the assigned scout.
Quarterback
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Scheme: West Coast/Zone
Starter: Alex Smith
NFL1000 Scores: 69.7/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 19/38
Alex Smith is the NFL quarterback equivalent of gourmet vanilla ice cream: At some point, you're going to want to add more flavor to the equation, but that will just diminish the base element you probably paid too much for in the first place. You know precisely what you're going to get from Smith in an Andy Reid offense: He'll complete about 65 percent of his passes for around 3,300 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven picks. You can dial up a few deep passes, but you don’t want to go there consistently. He’s a functionally limited player who has made the most of those limitations in an offense that is ideal for his talents--football intelligence,
He's a functionally limited player who has made the most of those limitations in an offense that is ideal for his talents—football intelligence, field-reading and short-to-intermediate accuracy—but at the same time, there's a specific ceiling.
The Chiefs have said over and over this offseason that Smith is their man in 2017, and with Nick Foles' departure back to Philadelphia, that's probably the case. It's not the worst option in the world, but don't be surprised if the team looks to select Smith's hopeful successor in the draft.
Backup: Tyler Bray
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
The Chiefs took Bray as an undrafted free agent in 2013, and he hasn’t played a regular-season snap in his career. That’s reflective of the team’s stable quarterback situation up top, but also speaks to Bray’s unfortunate injury history and iffy mechanics. Most likely, the Chiefs will look for someone else to back Alex Smith up when things get real.
Backup: Joel Stave
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Stave replaced Russell Wilson at Wisconsin, giving himself three years of pro-style tape in a relatively advanced college offense. He's not consistently accurate at this point (37 interceptions to 48 touchdowns from 2012 to 2015), but he's a smart player who might develop into a spot starter in time.
Team Need: 7/10
Potential Draft Fits: Davis Webb (Cal), Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech), Joshua Dobbs (Tennessee)
Running Back
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Scheme: West Coast/Power
Starter: Spencer Ware
NFL1000 Scores: 74.6/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 7/82
In 2016, Spencer Ware established himself as the full-time starter for the Chiefs and helped anchor the run game for the AFC West champions. Ware had a career year, rushing for 921 yards and catching 33 balls. He is an excellent inside runner, who is powerful and a natural fit in the Chiefs' power run game. Ware has quick feet, a patient style and the burst needed to hit the hole when a crease opens. Defenders must tackle him with a purpose because Ware has the strength to break soft arm tackles. Not an ideal outside runner, Ware does have a good feel for setting up blockers and using patience to his advantage. He also does not dance around and always falls forward.
In the passing game, he is more than competent. He has consistent hands and can create separation when working the flat or option routes. Ware had multiple explosive plays in the passing game in 2016. Overall, the Chiefs have one of the more powerful running backs in the NFL and should ride him toward another career year in 2017.
Backup: Charcandrick West
NFL1000 Scores: 68.5/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 59/82
After a productive 2015, Charcandrick West took a step back last season because of the emergence of Spencer Ware. West only had 88 carries last year and really was not a major part of the offense in the run game. He is just an average inside runner, because he doesn't consistently run hard between the tackles. West is not going to break many arm tackles and is just not a major threat up the middle.
As an outside runner, he is more productive, and the Chiefs use him much more in that role. His best attribute is in the passing game. He has 48 catches the last two seasons, but because of Ware's role and the addition of Tyreek Hill, he will only see his role continue to diminish. Overall, West is a limited player whose role will strictly depend on whether or not the Chiefs draft a running back.
Backup: C.J. Spiller
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Spiller has bounced around the NFL the last several seasons. He played sparingly for three teams in 2016 and was not very productive. He has proved in years past that he can excel in the passing game. If Spiller plays well in training camp, he could supplant West's roster spot.
Team Need: 4/10
Potential Draft Fits: Joe Mixon (Oklahoma), Jamaal Williams (BYU)
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Fullback
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Scheme: West Coast
Starter: Anthony Sherman
NFL1000 Scores: 69.7/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 17/20
Sherman has been a constant in the Chiefs offense since Andy Reid arrived in Kansas City. He is a functional lead blocker who plays hard and is a physical presence in the run game. He's not a great athlete who can struggle to adjust on the fly against linebackers.
Sherman doesn't add value as a runner, but that's not an area the Chiefs ask him to contribute in. He has natural, soft hands and has been productive over the years in the passing game. Sherman is good in the red zone working in the flat. Overall, he does everything the Chiefs ask him to do and should continue to start on one of the better teams in the AFC.
Team Need: 1/10
Potential Draft Fits: None
Wide Receiver
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Scheme: West Coast
Starter: Jeremy Maclin
NFL1000 Scores: 67.8/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 39/155
Entering his ninth NFL season out of the University of Missouri, Jeremy Maclin looks to bounce back from a 2016 campaign that was hampered by a groin injury. He missed four games last season and caught 44 passes over 12 contests for 536 yards and two touchdowns. These numbers are a far cry from his very productive 2015 season, when he caught a career-high 87 passes for 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns.
In Kansas City's West Coast scheme, Maclin serves primarily as the X receiver, operating along the boundary and down the field. Maclin is an effective route runner with the strength and footwork to beat the press at the line of scrimmage, and he is adept at selling receivers on vertical routes before breaking back on comeback routes or to the outside on a deep out pattern.
Even when he struggles to get separation, such as on his 44-yard reception against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15, he has the ability to make adjustments to the ball in flight and reward Alex Smith's trust. In addition, Kansas City relies heavily on the quick screen game—and their wide receivers blocking on these plays—and Maclin is serviceable in that aspect of the game.
Starter: Tyreek Hill
NFL1000 Scores: 65.6/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 68/155
Rookie Tyreek Hill exploded onto the NFL stage this past season, and perhaps fans should have expected this, given how he started his professional career. In Week 1 Hill notched his first NFL reception, and it went for a nine-yard touchdown against the San Diego Chargers.
But it was near the middle of the season when he began to truly make his mark, as the Chiefs started to use him more as an offensive weapon, rather than a pure receiver. Andy Reid started to line him up in the backfield and rely on him in the running game, and he responded with 267 rushing yards, including touchdown runs of 68 yards against the Titans in Week 15 and 70 yards against the Broncos in Week 16. Hill also thrived as a returner with three touchdowns.
As a receiver, Hill contributed 61 receptions for 593 yards and six touchdowns. His pure speed makes him a dangerous threat down the field, particularly on routes such as go routes or post patterns. While at first glance his NFL1000 grade and ranking might not seem reflective of his contribution to the Chiefs as well as his talent, bear in mind that he was graded as a WR this past season, meaning some of his more explosive plays are not fully reflected in his results.
However, expect to see more of Hill in the Chiefs offense next year, as his speed and his change-of-direction ability make him a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball.
Backup: Chris Conley
NFL1000 Scores: 64.6/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 75/155
Third-year receiver Chris Conley is coming off his most productive NFL season, where he caught 44 passes for 530 yards. Conley has ideal size for an X receiver, standing 6'3" and weighing in at 205 pounds. Despite his
Despite his production last season, his play on the field can be described as inconsistent. His game against Tampa Bay in Week 11 is a good microcosm of his season. He ran good routes at times, particularly on curls or speed out patterns, but he struggled with drops. But then he would respond with a great catch of a low or high throw, only to lose the ball via a fumble. However, he is a talented player who had the raw tools needed to succeed in the NFL as a wide receiver.
With Maclin's age and injury history, Conley is a strong candidate to serve as the backup X receiver, but he can be used to move around a bit in the formation. While he may need some refinement to his game, his two receptions against the Raiders in Week 14 show why his future may be bright. On his first catch, he got good separation on a deep pattern and made a tremendous diving catch of the pass from Alex Smith. On his second reception, Conley displayed good awareness in the scramble drill, getting in Smith's line of sight late in the play and then showing some ability after the catch. Look for Conley to improve on his 2016 numbers in the season ahead.
Backup: Albert Wilson
NFL1000 Scores: 62.3/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 106/155
Former college quarterback Albert Wilson has found a home as a WR in the NFL. In 2015 Wilson played a large role for the Chiefs as a receiver, appearing in 14 games with 12 starts, and he caught 35 passes for 451 yards (both career-high marks) and two touchdowns. This past season, he saw a more reduced role given the emergence of Hill, but he still appeared in all 16 regular-season games. In that time, Wilson notched 31 receptions for 279 yards and two touchdowns.
One aspect of his game that stands out is his ability as a blocker. This might be unexpected given his playing background (quarterbacks usually don't like to block) and his size (5'9", 200 lbs), but Wilson is very willing and capable to contribute as a blocker on running plays or in the quick screen game. This is also evident by the fact that he serves as the protector on Kansas City's punt team, and he chipped in a 55-yard touchdown run on a fake punt against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13.
With his size, Wilson is best used as a slot receiver, but he has the ability and the play strength to align as a Z receiver and shade toward the outside as well. He is capable of beating the press but is best used on routes breaking to the inside such as slant routes or deeper post patterns. Against Atlanta, he made a very nice catch of a high throw on a post pattern that went for a 21-yard gain, showing his ability on those in-breaking routes as well as his strength at the catch point.
Team Need: 3/10
Potential Draft Fits: ArDarius Stewart (Alabama), Chad Hansen (California), Dede Westbrook (Oklahoma), Carlos Henderson (Louisiana Tech), KD Cannon (Baylor), Taywan Taylor (Western Kentucky)
Tight End
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Scheme: West Coast
Starter: Travis Kelce
NFL1000 Scores: 72.5/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 1/96
Despite Rob Gronkowski's recent foray into the WWE, it was Travis Kelce who wrestled away the title of best tight end in the NFL this past season from the New England Patriot. Kelce was dominant this past season, catching 85 passes for 1,125 yards and four touchdowns, including an 80-yard scoring play against the Denver Broncos in Week 16. His efforts on the field helped spur Kansas City to the AFC West title, and his ability as a route-runner and at the catch point earned him top marks in those two grading categories.
Kelce is an offensive weapon for Andy Reid's West Coast offense, and he can run every route in the playbook. The Chiefs used him as a downfield threat, in the middle of the field on crossing routes and moved him outside as well, using him on quick slants and outs as well as option routes.
While he is more of a receiving threat than a blocking tight end, Kelce has truly improved in this area, and Kansas City was more than willing to run behind him throughout the year. He was the lead blocker on Tyreek Hill's 76-yard touchdown run against the Broncos in Week 16, flattening safety Darian Stewart on the play. Only 27, Kelce has some more dominant years in front of him and should continue to play a huge role for this offense as the Chiefs look to bring home a Super Bowl.
He underwent offseason shoulder surgery, but the team expects him to be ready by training camp.
Backup: Demetrius Harris
NFL1000 Scores: 60.8/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 54/96
With Kelce grabbing the spotlight for the Chiefs at the tight end position, Demetrius Harris was tasked with doing more of the dirty work for the Kansas City offense. He saw action in all 16 regular-season games, including 11 starts as the Chiefs utilized a number of multiple tight end formations throughout the year. He caught only 17 passes on the season for 123 yards and a touchdown; however, any time you are on the receiving end of a touchdown thrown by Dontari Poe, you can be sure that the play will live on in NFL history. As a blocker, Harris is generally solid, and can be counted on to deliver for the Chiefs in the running game.
Harris is younger, set to turn 26 this summer, and with his size he has the potential to develop into a solid short yardage and red zone threat for the Chiefs over the next few seasons. With weapons like Kelce, Hill and Jeremy Maclin on the outside, he should find many opportunities in those situations to contribute to the offensive effort for Kansas City. However, he was arrested recently for felony possession of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia, and his status for the start of the season is questionable.
Backup: Gavin Escobar
NFL1000 Scores: 54.9/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 96/96
A second-round pick in the 2013 draft by the Dallas Cowboys, Gavin Escobar was expected to be the next great tight end for the organization and the heir apparent to Jason Witten. However, that promise never materialized, as he battled both injuries and other players on the depth chart for playing time over the last few seasons.
Part of this was due to his inability to consistently contribute in the blocking aspect of the game. As a reserve tight end, this is a critical component to your role on the team, but Escobar has struggled in this area, and his blocking score last season was 95th out of the 96 players graded in that trait.
With the move to KC in free agency, Escobar gets a chance at a fresh start in a new environment. With Kelce coming off a shoulder injury and Harris' status uncertain, he may get a chance to contribute early for the Chiefs. If he can improve in the blocking aspect of the game, he may finally live up to the potential he showed coming out of San Diego State University.
Team Need: 4/10
Potential Draft Fits: Jake Butt (Michigan), George Kittle (Iowa), Cole Hikutini (Louisville), Michael Roberts (Toledo)
Left Tackle
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Scheme: Zone
Starter: Eric Fisher
NFL1000 Scores: 74.8
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 16/40
Eric Fisher enters his fifth season after coming off a 2016 campaign in which he showed huge strides toward consistency in his overall technique. Toward the end of the 2015 season, there were flashes of top-tier play from Fisher, and as a result, he was given a huge contract extension last summer, which ended up totaling a six-year deal worth $63 million with $40 million guaranteed and $22 million received as a signing bonus.
Fisher has started 59 regular-season games for Kansas City, and paired with Mitchell Schwartz, he gives the Chiefs a solid starting tackle tandem.
Backup: Bryan Witzmann
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Bryan Witzmann was an undrafted free agent out of South Dakota State in 2014. Witzmann has spent time with Houston, New Orleans and spent last preseason with the Dallas Cowboys, and he put out decent tape at offensive tackle in exhibition game action. Witzmann will add depth at Kansas City’s tackle spots.
Backup: Jordan Devey
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Jordan Devey was an undrafted free agent in 2013, but he has 14 career starts. Devey bounced around from active roster to practice squad for Kansas City in 2016.
Devey has the ability to play offensive tackle and guard, which provides valuable depth for Kansas City.
Team Need: 0/10
Potential Draft Fits: None. Could consider bringing in camp competition with undrafted free agents.
Right Tackle
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Scheme: Zone
Starter: Mitchell Schwartz
NFL1000 Scores: 76.9/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 4/38
Mitchell Schwartz has established himself as one of the best right tackles in all of football.
Kansas City signed Schwartz away from Cleveland last offseason and got an immediate return on investment based on the caliber of pass-rushers he had to face and their overall lack of success rushing the passer.
Schwartz was named second-team All-Pro for outstanding efforts as a pass protector and as a run-blocker in 2016, and Kansas City has to be thrilled with the continuity it has at both offensive tackle positions.
Backup: Jah Reid
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Jah Reid provides depth with position flexibility and six seasons of NFL experience. Reid has seen action starting at right tackle and both guard positions, and he is often used as an extra blocker in heavy set formations.
Team Need: 0/10
Potential Draft Fits: None. Could consider bringing in camp competition with undrafted free agents.
Offensive Guard
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Scheme: Zone
Starter: Parker Ehinger
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Parker Ehinger has always had medical questions, and he only lasted a couple of weeks through his rookie year after battling issues at Cincinnati as well. His play early on wasn’t anything to write home about, but we haven't seen enough to really judge his NFL performance yet. But he's a sturdy pass protector when he is on, and hopefully we see that in year two.
Starter: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
NFL1000 Scores: 69.6/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 39/78
I am a fan of Laurent Duvernay-Tardif's game and think this year could be a big step in his development if he continues where he left off toward the end of last year, but the deal he got this offseason is paying him like he already took that step. His play up to this point hasn't been worth that amount, but the Chiefs are clearly all in on him going forward.
Backup: Zach Fulton
NFL1000 Scores: 67.9/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 61/78
Zach Fulton is what he is as a depth option, but he likely will get a shot to compete for the left guard job, especially if Parker Ehinger experiences any setbacks. That's certainly not ideal, so the left guard spot is definitely a factor to be addressed in the draft.
Team Need: 6/10
Potential Draft Fits: Dan Feeney (Indiana), Ben Braden (Michigan)
Center
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Scheme: Zone
Starter: Mitch Morse
NFL1000 Scores: 71.3/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 12/38
The most agile center of 2016 in our grades, Mitch Morse is arguably the best piece on this Chiefs front. He was an excellent fit in this zone-heavy scheme from day one due to his agility and movement ability. This is a position that should be firmly locked down from a starter perspective, but depth is needed going forward.
Team Need: 2/10
Potential Draft Fits: Kyle Fuller (Baylor), Riley Sorenson (Washington State)
Defensive End
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Scheme: 3-4
Starter: Jaye Howard
NFL1000 Score: 63.9/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 21/53
Jaye Howard's season was cut short due to injury, but in the eight games he did play, Howard showed solid run defense, awareness, a wide tackle radius and offered some ability as a pass-rusher. He ended up playing 359 total snaps in 2016 and accumulated 23 total tackles and one sack, per Pro Football Reference. If healthy, Howard's starting job should be secured.
Starter: Chris Jones
NFL1000 Score: 64.7/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 18/53
As injuries piled up in front of him, and as the Chiefs needed to get an athletic body on their defensive line, Chris Jones' snaps increased. His progression was rapid and easy to see on film. Jones became one of the better interior pass-rushers in his rookie season and should continue to grow with an increased role in 2017.
Backup: Allen Bailey
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Allen Bailey's season never really started as he was injured and placed on IR very early. In the meantime, he likely lost his starting job to Chris Jones. The Chiefs will still need a veteran backup, and that's where Allen Bailey now fits.
Team Need: 2/10
Potential Draft Fits: Jaleel Johnson (Iowa), Davon Godchaux (LSU)
Defensive Tackle
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Scheme: 3-4
Starter: Bennie Logan
NFL1000 Scores: 66.5/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 30/99
Bennie Logan was signed over from the Philadelphia Eagles to replace the void Dontari Poe left. Logan was inconsistent during the 2016 season, but it’s clear he’s still a talented player. He played his best football in 2015 when he was the nose tackle for the Eagles’ 3-4 defense. This is the same role he’ll be playing in Kansas City. Swapping Poe for Logan is a horizontal move with more upside.
Backup: Rakeem Nunez-Roches
NFL1000 Scores: 63.1/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 50/99
Rakeem Nunez-Roches had a solid first season with extended playing time, flashing the ability to be a disruptor at the point of attack. He played nose, 1-technique and 3-technique for the Chiefs last season, and his natural leverage and explosion make him difficult to block on outside runs for slower offensive linemen. Nunez-Roches, Logan and Chris Jones will be a tough look for most offensive lines.
Backup: Montori Hughes
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Hughes was recently signed over from the Giants to compete for a roster spot. He played just 17 snaps last season.
Team Need: 4/10
Potential Draft Fits: Eddie Vanderdoes (UCLA), Dalvin Tomlinson (Alabama)
Outside Linebacker
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Scheme: 3-4
Starter: Justin Houston
NFL1000 Scores: 72.0/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 8/65
Recovery from knee surgery cost Justin Houston all but five games in 2016. He still managed four sacks and a forced fumble, with his three-sack game against the Denver Broncos in late November finishing as one of the highest-graded performances by any 3-4 outside linebacker last season. Houston is still an ideal blend of quickness and power, but he’s now missed 16 games over the last two seasons. When healthy, Houston is one of the most disruptive edge players in football. He's 28 and signed through the 2020 season.
Starter: Dee Ford
NFL1000 Scores: 68.9/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 23/65
A first-round pick of the Chiefs in 2014, Dee Ford finally broke out for Kansas City last season—tallying a career-high 10 sacks over 15 games. His burst off the ball remains his defining trait. He's often too quick for tackles to latch on to on the edge, but Ford needs to further develop his counter plan if he’s to continue his pass-rushing productivity past 2016. He disappeared in far too many games last year. The Chiefs will likely pick up his fifth-year option, keeping him in Kansas City through 2018.
Backup: Tamba Hali
NFL1000 Scores: 68.1/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 28/65
Tamba Hali is 33 and in decline, but he was still a serviceable edge player for the Chiefs in 2016. In fact, he was far more disruptive as a pass-rusher than his volume numbers indicate (3.5 sacks over 16 games). The Chiefs wisely kept him on a pitch count through the season. Somewhat surprisingly, Hali was then scarcely used during the postseason. The 11-year veteran should continue to be a valuable rotational pass-rusher for the Chiefs in 2017, but aging rushers can regress quickly in the NFL.
Backup: Frank Zombo
NFL1000 Scores: 62.1/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 62/65
Frank Zombo played almost 500 defensive snaps for the Chiefs last season, per Pro Football Reference, but he’s a replacement-level pass-rusher. He lacks the quickness and power to consistently beat tackles in the passing game. However, his effort and experience make him an asset against the run and on special teams. The Chiefs may look to improve the depth chart at edge-rusher, especially with Tamba Hali getting older and Justin Houston’s recent injury history.
Team Need: 4/10
Potential Draft Fits: Takkarist McKinley (UCLA), Derek Rivers (Youngstown State), Daeshon Hall (Texas A&M)
Inside Linebacker
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Scheme: 3-4
Starter: Derrick Johnson
NFL1000 Scores: 72.4/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 17/65
Derrick Johnson is relying largely on name recognition this late in his career. While he's been a productive player throughout his 12-year career, he's clearly past his prime. The Kansas City Chiefs run defense last year was atrocious, and Johnson's play late in the season was a large part of the problem.
He doesn't have the first-step explosiveness to beat offensive linemen to the hole, and he no longer has the above-average upper-body strength to maintain gap leverage. He was solid to start the year but physically wore down with each passing week. As a result, teams could do just about anything they wanted up the middle of Kansas City's defense. Johnson missed the end of 2016 with injuries, and it's no guarantee that he'll be back up to form for 2017 regardless of whether he's medically cleared or not. The Chiefs will have to consider replacing Johnson sooner rather than later if they have any plans of truly competing in the AFC.
Starter: Ramik Wilson
NFL1000 Scores: 69.9/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 27/65
Ramik Wilson is a wildly inconsistent player, but it has very little to do with effort. He simply has a large variance in technique and the ability to harness the technical aspects of linebacker play at any given time. He had moments of brilliance followed by snaps that make you wonder if he's transitioning to the position for the first time in his career. He'll be a starter to enter 2017, but the Chiefs will have to see an improved level of play or he's worth replacing. Additionally, this draft is deep enough that the Chiefs could grab a linebacker high and steal another one late to push both Wilson and Johnson for starting spots immediately. Either way, this group has to improve.
Backup: D.J. Alexander
NFL1000 Scores: Did not play enough snaps to qualify
D.J. Alexander saw limited playing time at the end of the 2016 season due to injuries to players above him. He's limited as a defender and shouldn't be seen as anything other than a core special teamer. If the Chiefs are forced to rely on Alexander significantly in 2017, they'll be in trouble. He's underwhelming in coverage, lacking the change-of-direction mobility to remain in phase with receivers at any level, and lacks technical refinement in run support.
Team Need: 8/10
Potential Draft Fits: Raekwon McMillan (Ohio State), Jarrad Davis (Florida), Zachary Cunningham (Vanderbilt), Duke Riley (LSU), Kendell Beckwith (LSU)
Cornerback
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Scheme: Cover 1
Starter: Marcus Peters
NFL1000 Scores: 74.3/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 3/133
The stellar career continued as a sophomore for the corner out of Washington. Marcus Peters actually got better in 2016, which is scary for the rest of the league. When teams test him, they pay for it. His on-ball production is ridiculous. His six interceptions and 20 passes defensed tell you all you need to know about what happens when you test him. You lose. Many fans around the league say "just run a double move" as if teams don't constantly try this. What you don't see are the dozens of routes opposing offenses try to beat Peters with to no avail. Where Peters improved last year is he didn’t have multiple games where he was getting torched in coverage. He really only had one below-average game. He had a stretch during the beginning of the season for a month where he averaged a score of 83.5, which for our grades is as close to flawless as it gets. It's hard to imagine Peters leveling off his play as he continues to get more aware in coverage. He'll be the best corner in the league in no time.
Starter: Terrance Mitchell
NFL1000 Scores: 69.6/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 17/133
A couple of other Chiefs corners weren't getting the job done, and Mitchell came in Week 13 and was a revelation. Nobody in their right minds could've expected Terrance Mitchell to play as well as he did. He's small. He's not overly quick. He's not fast. But he makes it work. His grades reflect that. He was "steady Eddie" for the Chiefs. You're going to get plenty of opportunities opposite of Peters, and teams started realizing that before Mitchell came along and were taking advantage. Mitchell broke up six passes in 240 snaps, per Pro Football Reference. That's outstanding. He seemed aware. To the Chiefs' credit, they didn't put him in situations where he couldn't succeed. They don't switch their corners, and perhaps playing on the right side is something they noticed where Mitchell excels. He was a good story in 2016, and I'm hoping he continues to play at a high level. He'll have plenty of opportunities next year.
Nickel: Phillip Gaines
NFL1000 Scores: 60.6/100
NFL1000 Position Ranking: 85/133
One man's trash is another man's treasure, and unfortunately, Phillip Gaines was on the wrong side. He was benched Week 12 after giving up six catches for 209 yards, three first downs and a touchdown. The week prior was actually worse from a grade standpoint. Gaines gave up five catches on six targets and wasn’t in position to make a play on either of them. He also gave up four first downs, had a penalty and missed a tackle. It's safe to say he was rightfully benched. Gaines isn't talentless. He's long and a good athlete. Confidence has a lot to do with how you play, and he seemed to lose his—and it showed. Gaines should have an opportunity to at least earn a nickel spot for the Chiefs next year. The good news for him is corner is the most fickle of positions when it comes to charting.
Team Need: 5/10
Potential Draft Fits: Chidobe Awuzie (Colorado), Jourdan Lewis (Michigan), Desmond King (Iowa), Quincy Wilson (Florida)
As well as he played at the end of the season, it's hard to bank on Mitchell delivering that type of performance again. Even if he does, the Chiefs still need another corner, as Gaines and Nelson haven’t shown enough. Wilson can be a starter on the outside for them. The other three are all versatile and can play inside and out as well as assist in the run game.
Free Safety
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Scheme: Cover 1
Starter: Ron Parker
NFL1000 Scores: 72.5/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 13/50
Ron Parker has established himself as one of the better safeties in the league, which is quite the accomplishment for an undrafted free agent. Parker bounced around the league for a while, signing with the Seahawks on three separate occasions between spells with the Raiders and Panthers before eventually landing in Kansas City. Parker is a nice complement to his safety partner, Eric Berry, as he has the ability to play as the single-deep safety and can play in the box when needed. That flexibility allows the Chiefs to move Berry around for various assignments from week to week with the comfort of knowing Parker can fill in wherever needed.
Backup: Eric Murray
NFL1000 Scores: Did not play enough snaps to qualify
Eric Murray began the transition from corner to safety last offseason after the Chiefs spent a fourth-round pick on the defensive back. He played exclusively corner in college, but they liked his physicality and opted to make the switch during his rookie year. Most corners who switch to safety do so after they've failed at corner or are in the latter part of their career. Murray has the benefit of being young and having plenty of time to develop and truly transition while sitting behind Parker and Berry. He's unlikely to take many reps away from the starters this year, barring injury, and should spend most of the year continuing his development from the sidelines.
Backup: Marqueston Huff
NFL1000 Scores: Did not play enough snaps to qualify
Marqueston Huff was a fourth-round pick in 2014 by the Titans, but he was released as part of the final roster cuts going into 2016 after being suspended for the first game of the season for a violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy. The Jaguars and Ravens both kicked the tires on him during the season, but ultimately he played very few snaps and was allowed to test the market in free agency. The Chiefs picked him up during free agency, but I'd be surprised if he does anything more than compete for one of the last available roster spots as a special teams contributor.
Team Need: 1/10
Potential Draft Fits: None. Could consider bringing in camp competition with undrafted free agents.
Strong Safety
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Scheme: Cover 1
Starter: Eric Berry
NFL1000 Scores: 75.5/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 3/53
Eric Berry is one of the top safeties in the league and has been for a number of years now. He's very well-rounded, with the range and instincts to play the deep middle third, the fluid athleticism to cover tight ends in man coverage, and the closing speed and tackling ability to be a factor in the run game. That versatility means the Chiefs can be creative with defensive game plans and use Berry in a variety of different ways each week. The Chiefs made a wise decision to re-sign Berry to a long-term contract before he hit the open market this offseason, keeping Berry in Kansas City for years to come. He's earned every penny of that contract, and there's no reason to believe he won't continue to play at a very high level despite being the highest-paid safety in the NFL.
Backup: Daniel Sorensen
NFL1000 Scores: 72.8/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 15/53
Daniel Sorensen, like Parker, was originally an undrafted free agent who has had to work his way up the organization and carve out a role for himself. With Parker and Berry firmly set as the starting safeties, Sorensen has become an excellent dime linebacker. He matches up well in man coverage against running backs out of the backfield and excels in understanding route combinations when playing in underneath zone coverages. He's also reliable enough to hold up against the run and works well as a cleanup man in partnership with a bigger thumper to lead the way. As NFL offenses move more and more toward the passing game, dime linebackers like Sorensen are extremely valuable to a modern defense. While he won't take away snaps from Parker or Berry, he should see plenty of the field going forward.
Team Need: 0/10
Potential Draft Fits: None. Could consider bringing in camp competition with undrafted free agents.
Kicker
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Starter: Cairo Santos
NFL1000 Scores: 66.7/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 21/34
Cairo Santos had the best year of his young career in 2016, making 88.6 percent of his field-goal attempts, including an 8-of-9 mark from north of 40 yards. However, Santos was below-average on extra points, missing three out of 39 attempts on the season, with his struggles in this area holding him back from grading out higher. Santos' average distance on field-goal attempts was also just 35.63 yards, the seventh-shortest in the NFL last season and over two yards shorter than the NFL average, giving some context to his performance, as he was not tested the same way other kickers were.
Santos is entering the last year of his rookie deal, and while he is likely to be the opening-day starter for Kansas City, I expect them to bring in multiple kickers this offseason with the expectation of signing one or more to a futures contract at the conclusion of the 2017 season. The Chiefs are up against the cap and will likely want to continue to save money on specialists going forward. Santos is likely auditioning for other teams this year, and it will be a great test as to how he handles the added pressure of playing for his next contract.
Team Need: 3/10
Potential Draft Fits: None
Punter
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Punter: Dustin Colquitt
NFL1000 Scores: 66.1/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 18/34
Dustin Colquitt is the highest-paid punter in the NFL by average salary, and with 2017 being the last year of his contract, he is a likely candidate to be released, as his performance simply does not match the outlay for the Chiefs. Colquitt generates above-average hang time, but in 2016, that was the only aspect of his game that graded out in such fashion, as he was effectively average in terms of distance punted and his directional control.
Colquitt is a capable NFL punter, no doubt about that. And 2016 was not indicative of his true talent level. But with little dead money if cut, and Kansas City up against the salary cap, Colquitt is a clear candidate for being let go or traded prior to the start of the season.
Team Need: 5/10
Potential Draft Fits: Austin Rehkow (Idaho), Toby Baker (Arkansas)
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