Kansas City did not have a huge draft class this year but they did select some players who should have immediate impact on the team. Here are the three guys most primed to contribute in a big way starting week one.
DE’ANTHONY THOMAS
De’Anthony Thomas has the best chance to contribute the most on offense when it comes to scoring touchdowns. His return ability should be explosive in Dave Toub’s system and he has a chance to produce some big plays in the second half of the season. Health will be a concern as well as how long it takes Thomas to absorb the offense.
PHILLIP GAINES
Marcus Cooper was a able to hit the ground running in Bob Sutton’s defense immediately. Can Phillip Gaines be the next defensive back to do the same? The added speed and flexibility Gaines brings to the secondary could prove to be incredibly valuable this season. Getting better play out of the role occupied by Dunta Robinson last year could give the Chiefs’ defense a big boost.
DEE FORD
People are going to be focused on the sack number for Ford, a number that is not likely to be exceptionally high this year because of the limited snaps he’ll see. What matters most is if Ford can cause pressure on the quarterback or take on some blockers to give Tamba Hali, Justin Houston, or Dontari Poe a one-on-one situation when he is on the field. Kansas City desperately needs depth to their pass rush and Ford will shoulder the burden of leading the next wave.
Those are the three primary guys who could be the most important rookie contributor. Who do think will be the most impactful of those three rookies? Or is the most important rookie not listed above? Let us know.