Week 17 was a really big one for those of us who like to dink around with what the Chiefs upcoming offseason.
Here's what I think we learned:
1. Mahomes isn't as accurate as Alex Smith, and can't make some of the intermediate passes as automatically as Alex has. He can also make a ton of throws Alex can't, however, and is going to BLAST OPEN this offense as teams start dropping 7 and 8 to contain him and Hill/Kelce. Kareem Hunt is going to be a fantasy stud for half a decade.
2. What's pretty fascinating is that the three dudes who are in our backfield -- Mahomes, Hunt, Butker -- in 2018 were rookies this year, and were all outstanding. The future is white-hot in KC.
3. Akeem Hunt deserves a minimal contract for 2018. He played really well today and you just need a guy in that 4th RB slot who can be a kick returner and spot runner.
4. Anthony Sherman also should be brought back, but I still think his contract he signed a few years back was too big. But he's a smart guy with a great locker room and field presence that contributes in special teams and in limited FB work. No other FB works as much as him -- if we can get him for $1.5m/year, it'll be a boon to the team. Anything higher than that is money you're taking away from a future defender who can help.
5. It's fitting that De'Anthony Thomas' career in Kansas City ended with a bonehead play that got him injured. He is good for three or four amazing athletic plays a season, but otherwise he is a net-negative. I'd like the Chiefs to find another lightning-fast gadget player like him, though, because having a guy like that can give you a few options a game you wouldn't otherwise have.
6. Alright, I think we all know Albert Wilson needs to come back. At the very least, to help Mahomes get up to speed. Mahomes clearly has chemistry with Wilson, and this has already been Wilson's best season. I'm thinking 3 years, $9m?
7. I'm convinced that Ehinger takes back the starting LG position next year over Witzmann. Fortunately, Witzmann can play both guard slots and right tackle, which makes him a more versatile backup to begin with. Will help with Zach Fulton likely leaving town this offseason. Cam Erving was also surprisingly serviceable at LT. I think he's a decent swing-tackle option after all.
8. The Chiefs may have something in Justin Hamilton at nose tackle. The run D was fairly stout up the gut today. I still have no idea what kind of DL Bob Sutton wants. Our DL under contract for 2018: Chris Jones, Allen Bailey, Justin Hamilton. That's it. And Bailey costs too much -- the Chiefs will likely bring RNR back, but it's becoming increasingly clear that they want two-gappers who can somehow rush the passer. We have nobody on our roster that can both two-gap brilliantly and rush the passer effectively. Logan is the only two-gapper. Jones is the only passrusher. RNR and Jenkins can both do a little of both. Chiefs need to trade off Allen Bailey and bring in a major free agent here and spend a major draft pick (or two). It's time to rebuild the DL.
9. I still think this team needs to bring Dee Ford back. I know everybody on the board hates it, but Kpass needs another year of grooming, and with Ford and Houston, you know one of those guys is going to get injured eventually and Kpass can get some serious snaps then. In addition, I think the Chiefs need to burn a high draft pick on passrusher. Ford is a goner after 2018, it's not clear if Kpass will pan out, and Houston is too injury-riddled. Besides, going into 2018 with Houston/Ford/Kpass/3rd rounder is a really solid depth chart at passrusher.
10. Not for nothing, but the Seahawks are rumored to be dumping Michael Bennett soon...
11. Ramik, gone. Maybe there's a future for Terrance Smith here but it's as a 4th LB behind Ragland, KPL, and Eligwe -- or as a 5th if DJ is somehow retained. I think Smith is a good dude to have on the back of the roster, though. I'd bring him back but who knows.
12. I think it's pretty clear at this point that Terrance Mitchell has turned into a pumpkin. I really like the guy, and I love how hard he plays. But unless he's willing to do a cheap, cheap contract in KC, I'd rather just roll with Peters and Revis on the outside (along with a high draft pick), and Nelson in the slot. The team has a ton of players that I think they'll keep for developmental depth: Acker, Reasoner... [Reply]
The Chiefs picked up Ford's option last offseason, so he's coming back for 8.7 million or whatever. The only issue would be whether or not its going to be fully guaranteed because of injury.
Right now I'd put the Chiefs serious needs at CB, DL, OLB, and LG.
When Marcus Peters' head isn't squarely up his ass he's a good corner. There's not much else in the stable though. Even Nelson isn't the most reliable nickel in the world. I'm not against finding 2 or 3 corners in the offseason.
The D-Line is a dumpster fire. There isn't a guy there that really constantly commands double-teams and the Chiefs need a couple of them. If a guy like DaQuan Jones comes free, I'd be all about paying a heavy price in FA to lock down one of those spots. I think there are alot more NT-type clogs in the draft this year than there are DE prospects.
Ehinger never impressed me, but maybe either he or Witzmann continue to develop? I prefer the idea of just going out and getting a stud and I love Isaiah Wynn out of Georgia as that type, but I can see if KC avoids offense early this year. [Reply]
I’d like to see another wr take off with patt under center. Be it Robinson or Conley or chesson, they need another big bodied guy outside
I think you’ve gotta keep wilson and Sherman. Sherman seems like the guy you think you’re probably overpaying for production but he brings a lot of other things you can’t really measure and is actually really versatile. Same with wilson.
I think you can probably find another DAT mid to late in the draft. Someone that’s never going to be an all round player but adds some explosion if utilized properly.
Offensively I think getting ware back will be a nice little addition as he’s better than given credit for and when paired with hunt will be a nice 1 2.
They’ve gotta get more athletes on the dl imo. I like RNR as he’s improved and has been a plus but they need a little more nasty up there.
Another good corner is probably the biggest need [Reply]
Eric Murray needs to go back to corner. We need to see what he can do there. The safety experiment isn't working out.
Also, I'd like to sign Poe back and play him at DE. If we played him on the right, he could help the ROLB a lot by taking two blockers. We aren't getting much production there. Putting Jones on the same side as Houston would also be a great idea. Especially if we continue to use Houston in coverage this much next year. [Reply]
Would like to see Logan walk rather than give him a longterm deal. I don't think he's the answer. If we're looking to next year as a "reload" first year for Mahomes anyway, then why not just draft a NT, keep Hamilton (who showed some promise) and take your chances with that? Save the cash instead of trying to plug holes and hope it works out. Dorsey would do that shit all the time, and that often led to us cutting guys and taking on dead money.
Bottom line is we need pass rushers and defensive backs, whether they be CBs or safeties. Ron Parker declined this year without Berry, and Murray is garbage.
I'd like to see us be selective in free agency. I was originally on board with spending cash on a starting player for this defense, but I think it's going to just be smarter to spend it on a bunch of cheaper guys on short deals. Carry that money over to the next year, THEN make your push with Mahomes in his 2nd full year as a starter, when we can collect on some comp picks, set ourselves up with extensions for the guys we want, and then go get some starters in free agency.
I won't fault them if they try setting a few pieces in place now, but we're just going to have to be willing to walk away from a few good players the following season. That MIGHT include Tyreek Hill, unfortunately, depending on his production the following year. He's already a top 15 WR in yards. If he turns in a top 5 year (he could) we might not be able to keep him. [Reply]
Originally Posted by RealSNR:
Would like to see Logan walk rather than give him a longterm deal. I don't think he's the answer. If we're looking to next year as a "reload" first year for Mahomes anyway, then why not just draft a NT, keep Hamilton (who showed some promise) and take your chances with that? Save the cash instead of trying to plug holes and hope it works out. Dorsey would do that shit all the time, and that often led to us cutting guys and taking on dead money.
Bottom line is we need pass rushers and defensive backs, whether they be CBs or safeties. Ron Parker declined this year without Berry, and Murray is garbage.
I'd like to see us be selective in free agency. I was originally on board with spending cash on a starting player for this defense, but I think it's going to just be smarter to spend it on a bunch of cheaper guys on short deals. Carry that money over to the next year, THEN make your push with Mahomes in his 2nd full year as a starter, when we can collect on some comp picks, set ourselves up with extensions for the guys we want, and then go get some starters in free agency.
I won't fault them if they try setting a few pieces in place now, but we're just going to have to be willing to walk away from a few good players the following season. That MIGHT include Tyreek Hill, unfortunately, depending on his production the following year. He's already a top 15 WR in yards. If he turns in a top 5 year (he could) we might not be able to keep him.
Man I don’t see any way they let Tyreek go. Peters maybe, I don’t think they will but I can see an argument there. [Reply]
Originally Posted by O.city:
I’d like to see another wr take off with patt under center. Be it Robinson or Conley or chesson, they need another big bodied guy outside
I think you’ve gotta keep wilson and Sherman. Sherman seems like the guy you think you’re probably overpaying for production but he brings a lot of other things you can’t really measure and is actually really versatile. Same with wilson.
I think you can probably find another DAT mid to late in the draft. Someone that’s never going to be an all round player but adds some explosion if utilized properly.
Offensively I think getting ware back will be a nice little addition as he’s better than given credit for and when paired with hunt will be a nice 1 2.
They’ve gotta get more athletes on the dl imo. I like RNR as he’s improved and has been a plus but they need a little more nasty up there.
Another good corner is probably the biggest need
You’re not going to get a big bodied guy in Reid’s offense. Conley is as big as it gets outside for Reid. Hell in Philly maclin was the “big” guy. [Reply]