PFF grades: Chiefs see good marks on defense

Sep 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) celebrates with tight end Travis Kelce (87) after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs are looking good for the most part, despite a 1-1 record. The defense has been nothing short of brilliant, while the offense has been inconsistent yet averaging 25.5 points per game.

Over at Pro Football Focus, the powers that be graded out Kansas City’s performance and combined it with Week 1. Here, we look at how the Chiefs stack up with the rest of the NFL.

Alex Smith – 16 of 35 (-0.9)

This seems about right. Smith has thrown two interceptions and has gone three halves without a touchdown. Smith – as has been the case throughout his career – has been neither bad nor particularly good.

Jamaal Charles – 32nd of 56 (-0.5)

Pro Football Focus always grades Charles poorly, and it is fairly mystifying. Yes, he had a couple of brutal fumbles, but he also has a pair of 100-yard games under his belt. He deserves better than this.

Anthony Sherman – 12th of 19 (-1.6)

De’Anthony Thomas – 36th of 105 (+0.3)

Jeremy Maclin – 80th of 105 (-1.5)

Maclin needs to make more of an impact. I don’t see why Maclin is this low on the list, but he is yet to have a breakout game. Smith has been throwing him the ball early and often, though, so expect his numbers to improve once he stops playing elite defenses.

Travis Kelce – 21st of 59 (-0.2)

Kelce actually ranks second among all tight ends on PFF based solely on his pass plays. The problem has been his penalties and run blocking. He needs to clean these areas up and become the dominant player in all phases.

Donald Stephenson – 7th of 70 (+4.1)

Jah Reid – 59th of 70 (-7.3)

Mitch Morse – 8th of 32 (+1.2)

Ben Grubbs – 15th of 71 (+2.4)

Grubbs has been absolutely terrific. After trading for him, some thought Grubbs was on the back side of his career. Instead, he has looked like the two-time Pro Bowler that he is.

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif – 31st of 71 (-1.1)

Next: Onto the defense...