2017 Kansas City Chiefs: A Raisin’ of the Sons

The Kansas City Chiefs weren’t in good cap position to bolster their roster this off season. The key to success in 2017 will hinge on player development.

The start of the 2017 preseason is a mere 72 hours away for the Kansas City Chiefs. The team is in the 12th day of its annual training camp and beginning to take shape for the forthcoming regular season.

The offseason has been a tumultuous one for this franchise. Kansas City lost Jamaal Charles, Dontari Poe and Jeremy Maclin to free agency and its general manager in a bizarre set of events a month shy of convening its three-week camp schedule in St. Joseph, Mo. The Chiefs made few signings of note during the first two waves of free agency. It appears they’ll be solely reliant upon player development heading into the 2017 season.

A successful return to the postseason and defense of the team’s division title hinges upon the maturation and growth of existing personnel (year-over-year). Cap restraints limited an influx of talent over the summer. The team’s latest draft class, while supremely talented, is unlikely to make an immediate contribution in Year One. With the exception of former Toledo running back Kareem Hunt, the remaining draftees are presumably headed for special teams assignment in their rookie seasons.