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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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Nov 1, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford (55) attempts to get past Detroit Lions tackle Riley Reiff (71) during game 14 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadum. The Chiefs defeated the Lions 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford (55) attempts to get past Detroit Lions tackle Riley Reiff (71) during game 14 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadum. The Chiefs defeated the Lions 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Dee Ford – Outside Linebacker

The player that edged out LDT for the top spot on this list is former first round pick Dee Ford. Ford was supposed to have been the heir apparent to Tamba Hali, but a combination of Hali’s continued solid play and Ford’s relatively disappointing performance to date have relegated him to a rotational player thus far in his career. He’s notched a total of just five and a half sacks in two seasons despite being labeled as an explosive edge rusher coming out of college. With KC’s pass rush extraordinaire Justin Houston in question coming off knee surgery it becomes all the more important that Dee Ford start performing like the first round pass rusher that he’s supposed to be. Plus, Tamba Hali isn’t getting any younger and has shown signs already of slowing down late in the season. The Chiefs have to be able to get production out of Ford if their defense is going to be among the best in the league.

As a rookie two years ago the concern was that Ford wasn’t big and strong enough to stop the run. It was just assumed that he would be a good situational pass rusher from the get go. That hasn’t been the case primarily because NFL pass rushers really need a good combination of strength and speed. There were hopes that he would take a big step forward in his second season after a full year of NFL conditioning, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. This is likely the make or break season for Ford in KC. If he can prove himself as a viable starter while Houston is recovering it will mean he can eventually replace Hali when he can no longer perform at a starting level. If he still just looks like a depth or rotational player the Chiefs will need to look for another option to succeed Hali.

If by some chance Ford can improve vastly and become the elite pass rusher they hoped he would be when they drafted him it would be a bigger boost to this team than any other player on this list could provide. That is what ultimately put him in the number one spot on this list. Ford has the natural athleticism, the coaching staff, and the mentors in Hali and Houston to succeed. Let’s hope in his third season it actually happens.

So what do you think Addicts? Do you agree with the players on my list? Would you add anyone to the list? Would you change the order at all? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

As always, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!!!!

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