The 2016 Kansas City Chiefs roster seems pretty set based off of returning players, draft picks, and free agent signings. Some positions have obvious starters entrenched as the first week of training camp comes to a close, but there are some positions that are still up in the air. This article will highlight some of the Kansas City Chiefs training camp battles to keep an eye on during the preseason.
Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp Battles
Backup Quarterback
One week ago, the number two quarterback position was a lot more of a question mark. Alex Smith is the obvious starter as he enters his fourth season with the Chiefs as Andy Reid’s go-to guy. As recently as two days ago, no one knew who the number two quarterback would be. It appeared to be a neck and neck competition between third year player Tyler Bray, who went undrafted in 2013, and second year player Aaron Murray, who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. This year, the Chiefs drafted Kevin Hogan out of Stanford in the draft, a quarterback who many draft analysts pegged as a complete “Andy Reid guy.” The three quarterbacks behind Smith seemed to be ready to compete for the second and third positions, with most assuming that Hogan would be the third and either Bray or Murray would be expendable. Then late on Wednesday night, everything changed. NFL Networks’ Mike Garafolo reported that recently released veteran quarterback Nick Foles agreed to sign with the Chiefs. Foles will undoubtedly walk in to St. Joe as the number two quarterback behind Smith. This automatically pushes Bray and Murray down the line and the Chiefs will not carry four quarterbacks this season. So what happens?
The Chiefs have seemingly been high on Bray since he was signed two years ago. He has a big arm and is actually built in the mold of Foles. It’s hard to see the Chiefs moving on from Bray at this point, but it’s also hard to see them just dumping Hogan outright after just recently spending a draft pick on him. The Foles signing may signal two things: that the coaching staff and general manager John Dorsey were not completely sold on any of the three players currently on the roster being the number two quarterback, and that the Chiefs feel they have a roster solid enough to compete with a backup in the event that Smith has to miss any time.
Prediction: Alex Smith is the starter; there is no doubt about that. Similarly, there is no doubt that Foles is the number two. The Chiefs have a history of stashing a player they like on injured reserve, so that is always an option. Bray should stick as the third quarterback and the Chiefs will likely try to stash Hogan on the practice squad. Murray will be the odd man out and either get cut or traded.
Cornerback
The Chiefs struck gold last year with the Marcus Peters draft pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Peters, the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, is the unquestioned number one cornerback on the roster. After him, things get a little muddy.
Phillip Gaines, the third year player out of Rice, has seen some action at the starting position opposite of Peters, so it appears he might have the edge there. However, Gaines is built more like a slot corner. He is probably the fastest corner on the roster and his shiftiness can help cover the slot wide receiver, generally a player who is smaller and quicker. Gaines missed most of last season after he went down with a torn ACL in the Monday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers.
Other than Gaines, there is very little experience. Second year player Steven Nelson saw some playing time towards the end of last season and figures to be a factor either outside or in the slot. KeiVarae Russell was drafted with the 59th overall pick this year and has the build and play style that fits Bob Sutton’s scheme. The Chiefs also drafted D. J. White out of Georgia Tech in the sixth round this year, a player who NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah pegged as a “steal,” claiming he should have been taken in the third round. Marcus Cooper has seen some time at corner this off-season as well, but he has mainly been utilized as a safety.
One thing is for certain, whoever starts opposite of Peters will be targeted a lot. Many expected the Chiefs to address this position with a veteran free agent to fill the void left by the departing Sean Smith, but the cap space was just not there this season.
Prediction: Marcus Peters starts on one side, Phillip Gaines starts opposite of him, Nelson is the primary nickel corner. Russell will get a lot of playing time, and could potentially start on the outside if the team feels Gaines is better in the slot.
Wide Receiver
Like the previous two positions we’ve covered today, there is a clear cut number one at the wide receiver position and that is Jeremy Maclin. Maclin was a breath of fresh air for Alex Smith and Andy Reid last season and led the team in every receiving category by a large margin. He is, without question, the team’s primary wide receiver. And, again similar to the other positions, there are a lot of question marks behind the number one player at this position.
The most obvious candidates are Albert Wilson and Chris Conley. Wilson is a third year player that the Chiefs signed as an undrafted free agent while Conley was a third-round pick in the 2015 Draft. Both players contributed last season and are expected to have a role within the offense, but just how much of a role is the question. The Chiefs went out this off-season and signed Rod Streater, the former Oakland Raider who showed great promise until having consecutive years filled with injury, and Mike Williams, most recently with the Bills. Streater, in particular, has seen some time with the number one offense during the first week of training camp, so there at least appears to be some interest in getting him involved in the offense. It appears that Streater will make the roster along with Maclin, Conley, and Albert.
Then there is a crop of three receivers that will make the team based on special teams and big play ability. Frankie Hammond Jr., De’Anthony Thomas, and Tyreek Hill are all speedy receivers who are vying for reps at wide receiver while also hoping to contribute as the team’s punt returner or kickoff return specialist. In 2015, Thomas opened the season as the punt returner and had a niche in the offense with Coach Reid using him on screen and sweep plays. After Thomas suffered a concussion, then took off the rest of the season due to a reason that is generally unknown, Hammond took over punt return duties and was less than spectacular. During the 2016 Draft, it appeared that the Chiefs were unsure of either player, so the team drafted Hill out of the University of West Alabama. Hill has world class speed and seems to be the player that factors in the most out of the three. He has seen spot duty with the first team offense and has been featured in the rotation for punt returner. Players have raved about his speed, and Reid loves to design player specific packages for his speedsters. The Chiefs also drafted Demarcus Robinson in the fourth round this year. He has shown some speed and ability this training camp and likely will be given a shot to make an impact given his size. Robinson has the talent to help the team early in his career.
Prediction: Maclin, Wilson, and Conley are locks. Look for Streater to fill the Jason Avant role of last season as the veteran who sees some time in sub packages. Tyreek Hill will make the roster and Reid might try to find a way to keep Thomas, but there might not be enough room if the team opts to keep Robinson on the roster and not try to stash him on the practice squad. Hammond may be the odd man out.
Main Photo:
