Kansas City Chiefs: Reasonable Expectations Out of the 2010 Draft Picks
If you’re a Kansas City Chiefs fan, you want the lockout lifted so you can see some of the bright-eyed young players return to the gridiron. While the Chiefs won the AFC West, it could not have been accomplished without the help of the rookies they drafted last year.
The 2010 draft was one of the best the Chiefs have had. It consisted of one player earning a spot on the Pro Bowl and another rookie breaking a franchise record in his NFL debut. The Chiefs also had a rookie who became a SportsCenter sensation on ESPN’s Top 10 Plays of the Season.
With one season under their belts, what can we expect out of these players in year two?
S Eric Berry
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After one season in the NFL, Eric Berry is known as one of the best safeties in the league today.
Playing under Romeo Crennel’s defense, Berry came away with four interceptions, one forced fumble, two sacks and one defensive touchdown.
After learning from his errors early in the season, he remained consistent in his coverage and was a forced to be reckoned with.
His clutch moment came against Buffalo when the game was tied at 10 with less than a minute to go in regulation in Kansas City territory. Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a horrid pass that was picked off by Berry, ending a potential game-winning drive. Had Berry not gotten the interception, the Bills might have received their first victory of the season.
His ability to break up passes an play well against the pass and run earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl. He is the first Chiefs rookie to receive Pro Bowl honors since Derrick Thomas in 1989.
Next season, Berry will return with a year of experience under his belt. If he plays consistent throughout next season, his numbers will go up, and it’s likely that he will receive another Pro Bowl invitation. If rookie linebacker Justin Houston can apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks with Tamba Hali on the other side, Berry’s interception total could double.
WR/RB/KR Dexter McCluster
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Dexter McCluster started off his NFL career with a bang. In his first game, McCluster returned a punt 94 yards for a touchdown. His electrifying punt return became the longest in franchise history.
Two weeks later, McCluster caught a pass from Matt Cassel and ran to the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown play against San Francisco.
Outside of handling kick returns, McCluster was active on offense. He caught 21 passes and rushed the ball 18 times for 280 yards. However, McCluster missed five games due to a high ankle sprain.
One month after his injury, Chiefs fans were thrilled to find out that McCluster was set to return and start against Denver in Week 13. But McCluster’s injury slowed him down and was unable to find the end zone when he returned.
If McCluster is healthy, then there is a lot to look forward to in his second season. The Chiefs will continue to take advantage of his speed by using him as an offensive weapon and as a kick returner. Provided that he plays more than 11 games next season, the Chiefs will feed him the ball more.
CB/KR Javier Arenas
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Like McCluster, Javier Arenas was heavily involved in the return game. Arenas was third among all rookies in punt return yards.
In Week 9 at Oakland, Arenas returned a punt for a touchdown, but it was called back after a holding penalty.-Arenas also had a kick return touchdown called back in week one of the preseason.-
As a nickel cornerback, Arenas used his speed and earned three sacks last season. He was rarely caught in trouble while covering receivers.
Arenas was unable to intercept a pass, but if he can get a couple of interceptions next season, he can use his return skills to pick up a lot of yards and set up the Chiefs offense with good field position. If luck can be on his side, maybe one of his returns on will be taken back successfully without any yellow flags thrown.
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OG Jon Asamoah
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Jon Asamoah received little face time in his first season. When Ryan Lilja was forced to miss a game against Buffalo in Week 8, Asamoah started in his place at right guard.
Throughout the game, Asamoah managed to occupy defensive tackle Marcus Stroud when the Chiefs ran the ball. The Chiefs offense racked up 274 yards on the ground that day. At one point Asamoah did allow Stroud to sack Cassel, bringing up a 3rd-and-13 play in which the Chiefs were unsuccessful in converting.
Waters and Lilja are both expected to return as starters next season. If any of them suffer a long-term injury, that could open up the door for Asamoah.
TE Tony Moeaki
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After watching Tony Moeaki this season, Chiefs fans know why Scott Pioli traded up in the third round to select him. Fans still remember Moeaki for his diving catch in the end zone in Week 3 against San Francisco. The play was ranked second on ESPN’s Sports Center Top 10 Plays of the Season.
Among all receivers on the team, Moeaki was second in receptions, yards and touchdowns. Moeaki put up bigger numbers than future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez did during his rookie season.
Moeaki in 2010: 47 receptions, 556 yards and three touchdowns
Gonzalez in 1997: 33 receptions, 368 yards and two touchdowns
Outside of the receiving department, Moeaki was a big factor in helping the Chiefs lead the league in rushing. Moeaki’s ability to pick up a defender and create a hole helped Jamaal Charles earn a 6.4 yards per carry average last season.
With Charles on the roster, the Chiefs must continue to line Moeaki up beside the offensive tackles and help build more holes for the tailbacks. With a year of experience under his belt, Cassel and Moeaki are sure to connect for more passes next season.
S Kendrick Lewis
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Kansas City decided to use one of their two fifth-round picks on their third defensive back of the draft. The Chiefs found a solid starter in Kendrick Lewis.
When Jon McGraw was dealing with a thigh injury throughout the season, it allowed Lewis to start 10 games during his rookie season. Lewis registered three interceptions during the season with two of his interceptions taking place in St. Louis. Late in the fourth quarter, Rams quarterback Sam Bradford threw a pair of interceptions to Lewis in 74 seconds.
If the Chiefs feel Lewis is better than McGraw, then it is likely that Lewis will start more games next season. Like Berry, Lewis will rely on the defensive front seven to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks in order to find success in his second season.
OLB Cameron Sheffield
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Cameron Sheffield missed the entire 2010 regular season due to a neck injury he sustained in Week 3 of the preseason against the Eagles. Sheffield collided with running Mike Bell and was unable to get up. That was the last time Sheffield was seen in a Chiefs jersey.
With Houston and Gabe Miller drafted by the Chiefs this year, Sheffield’s return to the NFL won’t be easy.
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