NFL Power Ranking Preseason Edition: NFC only gets better
![DENVER, CO - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws as he warms up before an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) DENVER, CO - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws as he warms up before an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/074525d1560bc81c0b1ed9b378df00ab1586eb6e7f7eb68b12bf178a730333c3.jpg)
Kansas City Chiefs. 15. team. 124. . .
The hype around quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been borderline ridiculous this offseason, but with Alex Smith out of town the Chiefs have turned the reins over to the gunslinger.
Just a reminder why the Chiefs traded Alex Smith. Tremendous throw here by Patrick Mahomes https://t.co/lmUJiD22WR
— NFL Mocks (@NFLMocks) August 18, 2018
The former Texas Tech quarterback has one of the strongest arms the league has ever seen. He’ll be fun to watch with a lot of talent on his side. Kareem Hunt took the league by storm last year as a rookie, leading all rushers with 1,327 yards on the ground.
Tyreek Hill gets a new running make with Sammy Watkins now in town, and Travis Kelce will continue to do his thing at tight end. It’s a solid group playing with an experienced offensive line with few questions surrounding them.
Time will tell if the Chiefs made a major mistake trading one of the best cornerbacks in football this offseason, Marcus Peters. They replaced him with Kendall Fuller in the Alex Smith trade and drafted Tremon Smith in the sixth round.
I like Anthony Hitchens and Reggie Ragland in the middle of the defense with Chris Jones continuing to grow up front as a pass rusher.
Day two picks Derrick Nnadi, Breeland Speaks, and Darian O’Daniel should significant roles for Kansas City in the near future, and all looked list solid picks on draft day.
Mahomes is the key to everything in Kansas City right now, and his arm could win or lose a game. It’s part of the learning curve there, but it should pay out in a big way.