Week 17 could allow the Chiefs to look at several young players

Cameron Erving

We still have yet to figure out a lot about Brett Veach. From his drafting emphasis to his cap management, Veach’s approach as a general manager will be a major storyline of the Chiefs offseason. However, we have seen his willingness to risk draft assets for buy low opportunities on once-heralded prospects.

To be specific, Veach pulled off two trades in the preseason that brought in two new members to the Chiefs. The first reaped benefits within weeks as Chiefs Kingdom watched linebacker Reggie Ragland not only fully heal from a torn ACL but also blossom into the sort of run stopper he was predicted to be when he was first drafted by the Buffalo Bills. Undoubtedly, Ragland will be a staple for the Chiefs defense for the next few years.

The other move was on the offensive side, as Veach dealt a mid-round pick for the chance to make offensive lineman Cameron Erving into the versatile, athletic starter he was drafted to be by the Cleveland Browns. So far, the Chiefs have yet to really give Erving a chance, even in a season where there has been significant use of back-ups along the offensive line.

Just last week, Erving played a total of 3 snaps and not at all on special teams. That figure itself is a bit upsetting knowing that Erving has been needed at guard and center with injuries to Mitch Morse and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. If the Chiefs are keeping him at tackle, then perhaps he’s not had that chance, which means Week 17 could be key.

It’d be great to see Mitchell Schwartz or Eric Fisher get the chance to sit down for a game for a chance to watch a full game with Erving on the edge. The Broncos might have lost Shane Ray for the season, but Von Miller and company will provide enough of a challenge to show Erving as pretender or contender for the Chiefs’ future.