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The Kansas City Chiefs that need to step up in 2016

By Lyle Graversen

Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) tackles New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) tackles New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Steven Nelson – Cornerback

Before we proceed take a moment to look at the picture above. What you are looking at is 5-foot-10 cornerback Steven Nelson picking up 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds Rob Gronkowski. That pretty much sums up Nelson who was nicknamed “Mighty Mouse” in college at Oregon State. The Chiefs have a glaring need at cornerback after Sean Smith left via free agency. However, most fans seem to be focusing their attention on Phillip Gaines and the three rookies that KC drafted this year when discussing the possible replacements for Smith. I would argue that Nelson stepping up and claiming a key role in the secondary would be a huge win for the Chiefs in filling their need at corner.

Nelson’s problem is that his style of play favors playing outside but his height is better suited for the slot. Last preseason the Chiefs tried using Nelson inside as a nickel corner and things didn’t go all that well. Nelson isn’t what you would call a quick and agile corner he’s a physical corner that likes to try and bully wideouts despite his short stature. When he was playing in the slot last preseason he often was a step behind the shiftier slot receivers. It is interesting to note that in the playoffs when Marcus Peters had to come off the field for a couple snaps they put Nelson outside in his place and on one play he blanketed Deandre Hopkins in the red zone.

Nelson uses his physical power and the sideline to his advantage to jam up wideouts. In Terez Paylor’s recent mailbag he touted Nelson as a possible starter this season. With Phillip Gaines having excelled in the slot before, if Nelson could prove himself a dependable starter on the outside it would solidify the KC secondary without having to have a rookie try and learn on the job. You might ask why Nelson didn’t rank even higher on this list? That’s because the Chiefs do have Gaines and three rookies on the roster if Nelson isn’t up to the task.

Next up, the Chiefs need another tight end to step up and contribute.

Next: Demetrius Harris and James O'Shaughnessy

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