Kansas City Chiefs: Premature predictions for 2017
By Chris Taylor
From Tyreek Hill’s production to Kareem Hunt’s rookie year, here are some premature predictions for the Chiefs in 2017.
It’s been a busy offseason for the Kansas City Chiefs—one that has played with the emotions of fans on an unprecedented level. Despite the departures of a couple big name players and the extremely recent departure of General Manager John Dorsey, no games have yet to be played. The sun is still shining bright on the Chiefs, despite the shadows of newly overcast clouds.
1. Tyreek Hill will surpass 1,000 yards receiving
Perhaps this is not such a bold prediction for the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver. Let me up the ante a bit.
1a. Tyreek Hill will score 17+ touchdowns this season
I feel comfortable making this prediction. Although many readers may disagree, I believe it will take defenses another season or two before they figure out a way to slow Hill down. Thus I am going all in.
No one can stop Tyreek Hill. No one can catch him either. Losing Jeremy Maclin this offseason, as unpopular a move as it was, will not hurt him one bit. No Maclin means more targets, which means more catches, which means more yards. All of which lead to more touchdowns for Hill.
If defenses decide to double up on Hill, that leaves a guy like Travis Kelce with one on one coverage, usually against a slower linebacker or smaller safety. Chris Conley’s numbers should be his best to date, or at least they’d better be. The running game will be better than it was last year as long as the group can stay healthy. Each of these issues will open up the field for the fastest man in football.
Probably few would argue that his punt return numbers will continue to be stellar. Throw in a few reverses or delayed runs to the mix and he should be able to meet this prediction with ease.
The formula is there for #10 to attack and annihilate opposing defenses this season. These opposing defenses should be afraid. They should be very afraid.
By the end of the season I predict that Hill’s name will be in the MVP discussion.