Kansas City Chiefs Offense Skill Position Depth Chart Preview
The Kansas City Chiefs were right on the cusp of the playoffs in 2014, but since Peyton Manning has come to Denver, no one has been able to top the Broncos in the AFC West despite their best efforts. The Chiefs still won nine games a year ago, and despite extremely limited cap space, they made a big move this offseason to snag Jeremy Maclin from the Philadelphia Eagles.
Maclin followed Andy Reid to Kansas City after his huge ‘prove it’ year in Philly.
The Chiefs have some exciting playmakers offensively, but everything flows through Alex Smith who has a pretty limited skill set when it comes to maximizing talent around him. He needs the big time playmakers to help him out rather than elevating the game of guys like other playoff QBs can (Rodgers, Brady, Brees, Manning, etc.).
Kansas City is going to contend for an AFC West title this year, whether Broncos fans like it or not, and at worst they’ll be competing for a wild card spot thanks to some improvements made at the skill positions. Let’s dissect.
Quarterback
Nov 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) hands off to running back Jamaal Charles (25) during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
I’m not the biggest Alex Smith fan, and I think that’s pretty well justified. He doesn’t make very many mistakes, but he also doesn’t elevate a team as much as other quarterbacks vying for playoff spots, as I mentioned before. Smith completed over 65 percent of his passes last year, but had just 18 touchdowns and not a single one of them went to a Kansas City wide receiver.
That’s simply unacceptable in today’s NFL, which is so pass-dominated.
Smith needs to elevate his game, and I think some of the additions made by the Chiefs will help him do that. That being said, he’s a player capable of leading a great team far in the playoffs, but can he push the players around him to be better on the big stage?
Smith will be backed up by Chase Daniel, one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL. They also have Aaron Murray, the former Georgia quarterback on the roster. He’ll have a chance in practice to throw passes to one of his former Bulldogs teammates, which we’ll get into in a bit.
Running Back
Nov 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) celebrates after scoring during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. The Broncos won 29-16. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jamaal Charles is obviously one of the best all-purpose running backs in the NFL, but last year he barely rushed for over 1,000 yards in 15 games. That said, he racked up 14 total touchdowns and proved once again that he is an elite back in this league. Charles can really do it all, and he kills you first and foremost with speed and incredible vision.
As good as Charles is, the Chiefs have a great backup in Knile Davis, who has really done a great job coming back from some serious injuries at Arkansas to be a multi-purpose back in the NFL as well. He had a huge game against the Broncos last year and racked up six rushing touchdowns in spot duty. He’s also a good kick returner.
Cyrus Gray carried the ball just eight times last year, and Charcanrick West is a former college free agent still waiting for his opportunity.
The real meat and potatoes of this unit will be the duo of Charles and Davis, a very underrated 1-2 punch in the NFL today.
Wide Receiver
Jun 18, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) takes a water break from drills during the mini camp at University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
After tearing his ACL in 2013, Jeremy Maclin bet on himself and signed a one-year deal with the Eagles last offseason. He was dominant last season, helping lead many a wise fantasy football owners (myself) to a championship.
Now with the Chiefs, Maclin comes back to another offense he thrived in under Andy Reid, and a quarterback that is going to be eager to get him the football. Maclin’s dominance a year ago earned him a big money contract from the Chiefs, and a cushy ‘new’ home just a stone’s throw from where he played his college ball.
All in all, it was a perfect fit for Maclin and the Chiefs, and they made it happen financially. He could be one of the most high-impact additions for any team this offseason.
Along with Maclin, the Chiefs used a third round pick on Georgia receiver Chris Conley, the former Aaron Murray teammate I had previously mentioned. Conley is raw, but he is capable of making big plays downfield and proved at the Scouting Combine that he’s one of the most insane athletes coming out in this year’s draft class.
The Chiefs might have to count on him to do something this season at receiver, because aside from him on the depth chart, there’s not much.
De’Anthony Thomas could come in and play some slot receiver if needed, and Jason Avant is another former Eagles player familiar with the offense, but the Chiefs really lack depth at this position. I do like Thomas as a weapon offensively overall, much better than I liked Dexter McCluster with the Chiefs prior to the DAT era.
Albert Wilson showed some big play ability last year as a rookie, catching 14 passes while averaging over 16 yards per catch with four plays of 20 yards or more. The Chiefs might have a gem there.
Junior Hemingway and Frankie Hammond will compete for roster spots as well with this unit.
Tight End
Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs the ball as San Diego Chargers defensive back Jahleel Addae (37) attempts the tackle during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Travis Kelce is a fun player to watch, but the Chiefs need to learn how to maximize his potential. There’s nothing more frustrating for a fantasy owner than to watch a player with his kind of talent and physical dominance just being completely under-utilized.
The Chiefs’ leading receiver a year ago, Kelce could be in line for an even bigger breakout year this season. He is so big, so strong, and so fast, that it’s amazing to me he didn’t lead the team in targets with such horrid production last year from the wide receivers on the team.
Other than Rodney Hudson, Kelce was the highest graded player on the Chiefs’ offense last year. He’s going to be a stud now that he’s not splitting snaps with Anthony Fasano.
Kansas City lost Fasano who added four touchdowns a year ago, but a player who was the fourth worst on the team per grades from Pro Football Focus.
They return Demetrius Harris and Richard Gordon, who combined for a combined 77 snaps last year.
James O’Shaughnessy was drafted in the fifth round to give the Chiefs an added option in the passing game, but coming from a small school, he might take a little extra time adapting to the NFL. For now, we’ll call him a work in progress.