Kansas City Chiefs Position Battles To Watch Tonight

6. Kicker

Key Figures: Ryan Succop and Cairo Santos

At Stake: Starting gig and roster spot

Projected Leader: Ryan Succop

Yes, we’re talking kickers. Somehow one of the most interesting battles in camp has been between big-legged rookie kicker Cairo Santos and former Mr. Irrelevant Ryan Succop. Succop comes into tonight with the benefit of the doubt as the leader to retain his job as the Chiefs kicker and kickoff man, but Santos has done a lot in practice the last couple weeks to cast doubt on Succop’s status.

The key for Santos is for him to bring his consistency from practice into the preseason games. There is no doubt Santos has a stronger leg than Succop as Santos has been crushing 55-plus yard field goals through the uprights with room to spare regularly. Santos also has the advantage as a kickoff man who can knock the ball out of the back of the endzone, something Succop struggles to do.

Should Santos perform well in the preseason then expect him to win the kicker job at the end of the month. Any sort of trouble and the Chiefs will stick with the guy they know.