Jah Reid: I have him penciled in as the starting right guard for the Chiefs this season. It would have been easy for the team to let him walk and throw some extra cash at either Jeff Allen or Sean Smith.
Cclearly the staff saw something they really like, and I think that something is his ability at right guard…especially considering how quickly they were ready to send two other veteran guards packing after Reid was given a new contract.
Unfortunately, this is also a move that provides the least amount of stability. Not because of talent, at least in my opinion, but rather in terms of viable backups.
If there is an injury at tackle, Reid projects to be the top backup right now. That means there could potentially be a move at two positions rather than a simple one-for-one swap. Coaches generally prefer having to make as few adjustments as possible.
Zach Fulton: Fulton came into 2015 with a lot of promise. A full year as a starter under his belt, it stood to reason that he should be able to take the starting job at right guard again. Well, that didn’t happen and Fulton tumbled down the depth chart.
However, a late season injury to Mitch Morse revealed that Fulton did have some value to the roster at center. That, plus his starting experience at guard, likely earns him a roster spot in 2016 so it makes sense to try and put him in the mix at left guard to see how he handles it.
Unfortunately, I think Fulton may have shown us that he is best suited as a reserve player who can come in for spot situations and short spurts as a starter.
Some fans are optimistic about his potential at center and what it could mean for Mitch Morse, but I think we’re looking at something akin to what we had in Donald Stephenson…a guy who we can be fine with as long as we don’t need him for a long period of time.
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