Adrian Fedkiw
Each day leading up to the official start of the NFL football season, I will be providing you with player rankings, team previews, analysis, predictions, opinions and a whole lot more.
By the time the Chiefs’ season ended, everybody was talking about head coach Andy Reid’s issues with the clock.
Not the time frame when Kansas City won 11 games in a row to reach that AFC Divisional Playoff against the New England Patriots. Not the time the Chiefs blanked the Houston Texans 30-0 in the Wild Card Round for their first playoff win since 1993.
Instead, it was the time when the Chiefs, who trailed by two touchdowns with 6:29 left, needed 5:16 to score one of the two touchdowns necessary against New England.
Considering the season was supposed to be over when star running back Jamaal Charles tore his ACL in Week 5 and Kansas City stood at just 1-5 after six games, it’s hard to be too cynical.
Grading the Roster
QBs- Alex Smith (7.6), Aaron Murray (7.2)
RBs- Jamaal Charles (8), Charcandrick West (7.3), Spencer Ware (7.2)
WRs- Jeremy Maclin (7.9), Albert Wilson (7.2), Rod Streater (7.2), Chris Conley (7.2)
TEs- Travis Kelce (7.7), James O’Shaughnessy (7.2)
Ts- Mitchell Schwartz (7.9), Eric Fisher (7.3), Jah Reid (7.2)
Gs- Laurent Duvarney-Tardif (7.2), Parker Ehinger (7.1), Jordan Devey (7.1)
Cs- Mitch Morse (7.3), Zach Fulton (7.2)
DEs- Allen Bailey (7.4), Jaye Howard (7.4), Chris Jones (7.2), Nicholas Williams (7.1)
NTs- Dontari Poe (7.5), Rakeem Nunez-Roches (7)
OLBs- Justin Houston (8.7), Tamba Hali (8), Dee Ford (7.2), Frank Zombo (7.2)
ILBs- Derrick Johnson (8.2), Josh Mauga (7.4), Ramik Wilson (7.1), D.J. Alexander (7.1)
CBs- Marcus Peters (7.8), Phillip Gaines (7.2), Steven Nelson (7.2), KeiVarae Russell (7.1)
Ss- Eric Berry (8.4), Ron Parker (7.3), Jarnell Flemming (7.2)
K- Cairo Santos (7.3)
P- Dustin Colquitt (7.4)
KR- Knile Davis (7.3)
PR- Frankie Hammond (7.3)
Team Rankings
Team- 7.410 (9/32)
Offense- 7.393 (17/32)
Defense- 7.445 (8/32)
Quarterbacks- 7.4 (21/32)
Running Backs- 7.5 (5/32)
Receivers- 7.38 (20/32)
Offensive Line- 7.29 (24/32)
Defensive Line- 7.27 (13/16)
Linebackers- 7.61 (2/16)
Secondary- 7.46 (4/32)
Special Teams- 7.33
Coaches – 7.4
PREDICTION– 11-5 (1st AFC West)
QUARTERBACKS
Alex Smith might be the NFL’s best “game manager.” He threw for a career-high 3,486 yards to go with just seven interceptions, while running for 498 yards, also a career high.
He doesn’t have a strong arm, but Smith’s mind and pin-point accuracy is what beats defenses. He doesn’t take a lot of shots down the field, instead checking down often, which explains the impressive 65.3 percent completion percentage.
Kansas City signed Nick Foles to be the backup after he was released by the Los Angeles Rams. He replaces Chase Daniel in that role.
RUNNING BACKS
The 29-year-old Charles might be coming off an ACL tear, but still has sprinter speed.
He’s at his best running the stretch play, running parallel to the line before exploding through the crease and gaining yardage. Charles’ 5.5 career yards per carry average is very impressive. Due to his speed it’s extremely difficult for a defender to take the proper angle towards him in the open field.
Charles is also one of the better threats coming out of the backfield as a receiver, which is pivotal in an Andy Reid offense. He had 70 receptions and 693 yards receiving back in 2013 and was on a similar pace last year before his injury.
Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware did an outstanding job of filling in during Charles’ absence.
RECEIVERS
The Chiefs don’t have much at receiver, although Jeremy Maclin and Travis Kelce are studs.
Maclin was impressive during his first season with Kansas City, racking up a personal-best 87 receptions for 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns. Maclin is an exceptional route runner with balance, burst and flexibility and quick feet. He lined up everywhere and can run any route on the route tree. His hands are great and is also strong at the catch point.
While he’s a better pass catcher at this point in his career, Kelce is still a stellar blocker, especially when setting the edge in the running game. He’s effective both in-line and on the move pre-snap. He uses his athleticism to get the to second level with ease and lock up linebackers.
Kelce has very good speed for a big man to go along with soft hands in the receiving game. He uses that speed to run the seam and has learned to use his frame to box out defenders in the red zone.
Albert Wilson, Chris Conley and Frankie Hammond are the receivers behind Maclin on the depth chart.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz is on his own in Kansas City now and away from the great offensive line that’s in Cleveland. But put on the Denver tape and watch him shut down Super Bowl MVP Von Miller last year, it was very impressive.
As a run blocker he’s at his best in zone schemes because of his understanding of angles. He has good feet, maintains good balance and gets a lot of movement at the point of attack. Eric Fisher will start opposite of him at left tackle, although the disappointing first-rounder lost his job at one point last year.
Center Mitch Morse impressed as a rookie last year, while fourth-round rookie Parker Ehringer and Laurent Duvarney-Tardif will be the starters at left and right guard, respectively. Ehringer takes over for Jeff Allen, who signed with Houston during the offseason.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
At 6’3 346 pounds, Poe’s athleticism is extraordinary for a man his size. And to go with his unique athleticism is his ox-like strength. He can shed blocks, get beyond the line of scrimmage and can anchor and hold down the fort against multiple blockers.
Jaye Howard and Allen Bailey form a pair of severely underrated defensive ends. Howard can play both the nose and defensive end. He finished the year with 5 1/2 sacks, with his first-step quickness allowing him to achieve that mark.
Bailey is very powerful and doesn’t get pushed back often. He’s at his best in the running game, despite still posting 4 1/2 sacks. Second-rounder Chris Jones provides depth at defensive end.
LINEBACKERS
Justin Houston’s 22 sacks two years ago were just a half shy of Michael Strahan’s single season mark, but he will miss the first six weeks due to a knee injury. He’s got speed, strength, length and a bunch of moves with his spin and shoulder dip being his go-to moves.
But Houston is a lot more than a one-trick pony, he’s a complete player. His discipline in run defense is outstanding considering his threat as a pass rusher. He’s very aware and instinctive and fantastic at setting the edge. And with his remarkable strength he does a great job of tackling and taking the ball carrier down to the ground.
Tamba Hali’s been steadily declining over recent years, but is still a very versatile player and his ability allows Houston to not have to face as many double teams. As a pass rusher, Hali’s always had a high motor and when he was at his best his quickness and counter moves led to his success. Hali is excellent at setting the edge in run defense and in coverage he’s very effective at dropping back. Dee Ford and Frank Zombo provide depth at outside linebacker.
Coming off an Achilles injury in 2014, Derrick Johnson didn’t appear to lose a step in 2015. He had missed just one game in four prior seasons leading up to 2014.
At 6’3, 240 Johnson has the perfect frame for the position and is another one of those rare three-down linebackers. He can stop the run, rush the passer and drop back into coverage. He uses his fantastic speed and instincts in the run game and he uses his ability to scoot to make plays along the perimeter. He also does a solid job of shooting gaps and getting into the backfield. Johnson times his blitzes extremely well, he flushes the quarterback and creates opportunities for the outside rushers.
His read and react skills in zone coverage are top notch. He has smooth hips and great closing speed. Johnson is probably the second best coverage linebacker aside from Luke Kuechly. The starter alongside him, Josh Mauga, is very underrated.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
So Eric Berry beats Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and quickly solidifies himself again as being one of the best safeties in the game.
Incredible.
Berry is an athletic specimen. He has great closing speed and is always in position when in coverage. In the open field he gets from the backpedal to sprint in a flash. As a run defender, he plays with good form and technique and is at his best playing the edge. Ron Parker will be the starter alongside him.
Cornerback Marcus Peters won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, returning two of his eight interceptions for touchdowns and tied for the league lead in pass breakups with 26. He’s a stud, but the Chiefs don’t have much behind him as Philip Gaines, Steven Nelson and Marcus Cooper are the cornerbacks behind him.
TEAM PREVIEWS
Buffalo Bills | New England Patriots | Miami Dolphins | New York Jets
Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns
Indianapolis Colts | Houston Texans | Jacksonville Jaguars | Tennessee Titans
NFL PLAYER RANKINGS