Chiefs special teams: 2016 stat projections

Now that I have finished my stat projections for the offensive side of the ball for the Kansas City Chiefs’ upcoming 2016 regular season, it’s time to predict the stats of KC’s special teams unit for this year.

This unit is full of talent, and under the leadership of ex-Bears special teams coach Dave Toub, he has turned this group into a group that had been less than spectacular for years into a very formidable one since his arrival in Kansas City just three short years ago.

The improved play over the last few years by the Chiefs’ special teams was on full display last year in the Wildcard round of the NFL playoffs when KC kick returner Knile Davis took the opening kickoff and returned it 106 yards for a touchdown against the Houston Texans.

Now, lets start breaking this unit down player by player. First off, you can’t start talking about the Chiefs current special teams without mentioning the name of longtime veteran punter Dustin Colquitt. The former Tennessee Volunteer has been with the organization since 2005 and has consistently been one of the best punters in the AFC year after year.

Although he has only made one Pro Bowl in his pro career, he has already cemented himself as one of the best at his position in franchise history. Needless to say, I am expecting another solid season out of Colquitt again in 2016.

As for the place kicking and field goal duties, third-year man Cairo Santos will likely be the man for the job again this season. Santos has enjoyed two solid years for the red and gold and will look to improve on his 81.1 field goal percentage from the 2015 campaign. This year, I expect the 24-year-old Brazilian to have similar numbers to what he posted in his first two years in the league.

Next: Stat Projections