Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receiver Sammie Coates. Photo Credit: Brook Ward – Under Creative Commons License
The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the better teams in the football world. They have a great defense and an offense capable of winning games. However, there are a few pieces that they could add that would make a Chiefs Super Bowl run a little bit more likely.
Kansas City has made the playoffs three out of the last four years and the Chiefs fan base, known as the Chiefs Kingdom, is thrilled with the recent success of their beloved team. Playoff appearances are wonderful and wild card wins are even better, but it is time for the Chiefs to get over the proverbial hump.
What Roster Moves Can Make A Chiefs Super Bowl Run Happen?
The Kansas City front office addressed one of their biggest needs in a trade with the Buffalo Bills. In Brett Veach‘s first major move as the General Manager of the Chiefs, he sent a 2019 fourth round draft pick in exchange for 2016 second-round linebacker Reggie Ragland. Before his rookie campaign could get started he tore his ACL, so Ragland is yet to see regular season action in the NFL. Ragland is a great fit for the 3-4 scheme and will play next to 12-year veteran Derrick Johnson in the middle. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Josh Mauga for his three years of service given to the Chiefs organization. Mauga was released in the wake of the Ragland trade.
So what are the Chiefs missing for a Super Bowl run after adding Reggie Ragland?
Cornerback
Current Situation:
Marcus Peters is a top tier corner around the league and will only get better so the Chiefs have one of their corner positions locked in. The corners playing on the opposite side of the field from Peters are better suited for nickel packages and lack the ability to be a second cornerback. Steven Nelson and Phillip Gaines have been primarily used in that other corner spot but both have been underwhelming. There are a handful of corners that need to develop some more before they can be trusted in that role.
Possible Additions:
Revis is currently a free agent and in 2016 he started to show a decline in ability. Before 2016, he was one of the best at his position for the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New England Patriots. Revis would add experience to the position that has nobody older than 26 years old. He would also bring a championship pedigree with him, having won a Super Bowl with the Patriots. He would no doubt be an upgrade on the field and in the locker room, even if his skill has deteriorated.
Cincinnati took Dennard with their first round pick in 2014, but he has yet to live up to first round status. Cincinnati could be willing to move on from Dennard due to the play of 2016 draftee William Jackson III. They also claimed KeiVarae Russell off of waivers from, ironically, Kansas City. The Bengals signed starter Dre Kirkpatrick to a five-year extension over the offseason and still have Adam Jones under contract until 2019, so they have a crowded secondary. Dennard would add a nice second cornerback opposite of Peters and would allow the other Chiefs corners to continue to develop or play in their more natural positions.
Wide Receiver
Current Situation:
The Chiefs receiving group is probably the weakest on the team. They have second-year sensation, Tyreek Hill, who needs to prove he is more than just a burner. Chris Conley is entering his third year in the league and has flashed potential but needs to show more consistency. The depth chart behind them is nothing to write home about but there are a couple of young guys who may develop over time in Demarcus Robinson and Jehu Chesson.
Possible Additions:
The news about Jarvis Landry being available is kind of the biggest attention grabber right now. Most recently, Miami head coach Adam Gase has stated that he is not trading Landry. I am sorry coach, but as far as I know, the general manager is in charge of making that decision, not you. If the Chiefs want to improve their receiving corps, Landry would be a big help. The pairing of Hill and Landry with tight end Travis Kelce all of a sudden gives the Chiefs a passing attack that could elevate the offense to the next level.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ third-year receiver had a solid start to the 2016 season but it was halted thanks to an injury; a problem he has dealt with a lot. The Steelers have Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Eli Rogers, and they drafted JuJu Smith-Schuster in the second round of 2017, which makes Coates expendable. Coates is a big bodied receiver who would be a great red zone threat for Kansas City, which is something the Chiefs are lacking at the receiver spot. The Chiefs would be taking a chance that Coates can stay healthy but it might be a chance that gets them to where they want to be.
Running Back
Current Situation:
Starting running back Spencer Ware was lost to a season ending PCL injury in the preseason. Third round rookie Kareem Hunt is slated to take over with Charcandrick West and C.J. Spiller most likely serving as the backups. The running game has been a staple of the Chiefs offense for many years and there are no plans for that to change. Out of all of these positions, running back is the most stable and doesn’t necessarily need to be upgraded, but it could still stand to have some insurance.
Possible Additions:
So far this offseason, the Buffalo Bills have traded off Sammy Watkins, Ronald Darby, and Reggie Ragland. All of those players are 24-years-old or younger, so the likelihood of them trading off a 29-year-old running back seems high. The reunion of Shady with former head coach Andy Reid in Kansas City almost makes too much sense. McCoy would fit in perfectly and would take a lot of pressure off of the passing game that feeds off of the success of the running game. Hunt could still be given a number of carries and learn a lot from the veteran who displays a very similar playing style.
The New York Jets are in a rebuilding mode and there doesn’t seem to be much of a point in keeping Forte. Even though his career is winding down, he still has quite a bit to offer. Pairing him with Hunt in the backfield would benefit everyone in the offense. Forte has the size to provide the goal line threat that the Chiefs lost in Ware and can still contribute to the passing game. Whether he serves as the starter or as the backup to Hunt, it really wouldn’t matter because the carry distribution would be most effective at a 50/50 split.