Kansas City Chiefs: Is coaching and continuity enough?

With the Chiefs having success on the defensive side of the ball the last couple of seasons, featuring key veterans like Derrick Johnson, Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, and Eric Berry, it’s easy to forget that they also have a core of young players as well. Now, obviously the success of the defense in 2017 is directly tied to those four veteran players I just listed. If those four can stay healthy and be productive it will go a long ways towards K.C.’s defensive success. In fact, there may not be a player whose productivity has a greater impact on the defense as a whole than that of Justin Houston. The 28-year-old Houston does not need to develop at this point; he just needs to stay healthy and produce at the same high level we’ve seen glimpses of these past two seasons.

That having been said, there are also several key players on this defense that are still very young. The Chiefs invested their first pick in the draft in three straight drafts on defensive players in Dee Ford, Marcus Peters, and Chris Jones. All three have shown at minimum the ability to be a difference-making playmaker. If all three of those players are able to take another step forward in 2017 it could absolutely improve the defense as a whole.

Speaking of Marcus Peters, there may not be a position on this defense with more potential to show improvement through development than the cornerback group. Like the offensive line, almost all of these guys are young. Peters is just 24. Steven Nelson is also 24, as is Terrance Mitchell. D.J. White is 23, and Phillip Gaines is the old man of the group at just 26. If this group can continue to develop with good coaching and experience, it could absolutely take this defense to another level.

While the cornerbacks may be the defensive group with the most potential for development, the position group in greatest need is inside linebacker. Yes, the Chiefs are saying Derrick Johnson is “on track” to return from his second torn achilles injury, but there is simply no way to know for sure when he will be back and if he will still be able to play at a high level when he does. Yes, the Chiefs drafted an inside linebacker in Ukeme Eligwe, but counting on a fifth-round draft pick from Georgia Southern to be a key contributor right away isn’t very wise. That means that the Chiefs are going to have to rely on another group of developing young players if the inside linebacker position is going to be productive in 2017.

Ramik Wilson (24), Justin March-Lillard (23), DJ Alexander (25), and Terrance Smith (24) have all seen playing time for the Chiefs and will likely have a chance to earn serious playing time if they can show they have developed to the coaching staff’s liking. While I may not like the upside of this group as much as I do the cornerbacks, there is still some young talent here. If the coaches can get one or two of them to take a significant step forward in 2017, it would solidify what is currently the biggest question mark on this defense.

So what do you think Chiefs fans? Do you believe that the Chiefs’ almost unparalleled continuity from last season will give them an edge over teams that are still trying to figure out who they are or do you think their failure to add significant upgrades this offseason will come back to haunt them this season? Do you have faith that Andy Reid and his coaching staff can develop and maximize the abilities of the guys on this roster? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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