Within the 2024 offseason the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs nonetheless managed to make it so far as they did, which is stunning. Their offseason was rife with drama, particularly Rashee Rice, who had a extremely publicized off-the-field incident, which was simply certainly one of a number of for Kansas Metropolis. Then, when the season began, Rice, who gave the impression to be a significant contributor on offense for the Chiefs, was misplaced with a season-ending knee harm after colliding with Patrick Mahomes in Week 4 towards the Los Angeles Chargers. Although their protection below Steve Spagnuolo was terrific, their offense was lackluster.
Patrick Mahomes had his fewest passing yards as a starter for Kansas Metropolis, and the explosive side was lacking from their passing recreation. But, by some means, Kansas Metropolis would pull out shut, however controversial victories throughout the common season, like their video games versus the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. Their luck ran out within the Tremendous Bowl, the place they had been crushed by the Philadelphia Eagles 40-22.
Trying to climb the mountain as soon as once more, the Chiefs begin anew. Because the Cowboys look to beat the Chiefs for the primary time within the Mahomes period, listed below are a couple of underrated Chiefs who might determine the sport.
Jalen Royals
By the point Dallas sees the Chiefs, rookie Jalen Royals might very properly be their most essential weapon offensively. Regardless of the pace the Chiefs have at large receiver, it hasn’t translated to a constant vertical passing assault. The Chiefs want playmakers now greater than ever. Though Rice is anticipated to be prepared for coaching camp, you possibly can think about Kansas Metropolis will take its time with him. Different receivers have flashed however not demonstrated to be constant sufficient to be relied upon. Travis Kelce additionally didn’t have the identical impression that he has had in years previous, and really properly may very well be in a decline getting into his age-36 season.
Taken within the fourth spherical with the 133rd total choose, Royals is brimming with expertise. Like Rice, Royals is superb after the catch and arduous to carry down within the open discipline one-on-one. It might not all the time present on movie, however he’s acquired terrific timed pace at 4.42 seconds within the forty-yard sprint. Royals has a knack for locating the mushy spots in zone protection and realizing the place to settle and present the quarterback his numbers. Consider a lesser model of Seattle Seahawks’ Jaxson Smith-Njigba. Royals has been drawing constructive critiques and has been impressing the coaches, indicating {that a} vital position is coming for the rookie sooner quite than later. He’ll be one to observe when Dallas meets Kansas Metropolis.
Drue Tranquill
The Kansas Metropolis protection takes satisfaction in creating numerous confusion with unique blitz packages and shifting their gamers to a mess of various locations. All-Professional Chris Jones embodies that precept, however in addition to the Chiefs defend the move, additionally they depend on their linebackers to defend the run simply as properly. Nick Bolton spearheads the linebacker group, however he’s additionally acquired a terrific, but underrated operating mate with Drue Tranquill. A former safety-turned-linebacker, Tranquill has the abilities to reflect operating backs popping out of the backfield on passing patterns, usually operating with them sideline-to-sideline. T
He additionally has the physicality to come back downhill in run assist. 2024 was certainly one of his greatest seasons as a professional, the place he had 94 tackles and 11 quarterback pressures. Tranquill can play the entire linebacker spots on the Chiefs’ protection and has been given the duty of calling the defensive performs when Bolton was sidelined. Per PFF, Tranquill had a rating of 76.1, rating him twenty sixth out of 189 linebackers. That stated, he isn’t a positive tackler and had a missed sort out proportion of 13 final yr.
Noah Grey
Travis Kelce is lengthy within the tooth, and Father Time catches as much as everybody, even multi–Tremendous Bowl champions. With Kelce in his twilight years, Kansas Metropolis might begin trying to cut back his snaps to present Noah Grey extra of a possibility. Grey is an underrated utility tight finish for the Chiefs who can do numerous harm if left unattended.
At 6’3”, 240 lbs., Grey has the scale for a giant catch radius and has the pace to run away from linebackers and carry routes down the seams for large positive factors. Grey can also be a constant blocker on the transfer. Though only a complementary participant for many of his profession, Grey has averaged 10.5 yards per reception and had 4 receptions final season of 20 yards or extra.
With Kansas Metropolis, you’ve a lot to account for with their receivers, Andy Reid’s deep bag of methods, affected by funky formations and gadget performs, that it’s simple to miss Grey when Mahomes scrambles out of the pocket. Per Playerprofiler.com, Grey had 9 purple zone targets final season, catching all 9 passes, rating sixth goal separation and yards per goal amongst tight ends, signifying that he’s a menace within the purple zone and is total an environment friendly choice for Kansas Metropolis.
