Kansas City Chiefs are trying Reggie Ragland at different positions

Reggie Ragland spoke to reporters from Kansas City Chiefs training camp on Wednesday and said the team is using him all over.

If you look at the ways the Kansas City Chiefs are using various players when lining up in training camp, you can begin to get a read on where the coaching staff might want to use players in the regular season.

So far in training camp, cornerback D’Montre Wade has earned time with the first team as a boundary corner, and Andrew Wylie has taken starters reps at left guard. As for the linebackers, they’re still a work in progress, but linebacker Reggie Ragland says he’s been learning multiple positions from new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. It could be a preview of things to come for the upcoming regular season.

Ragland spoke to Chiefs reporters on Tuesday after practice at training camp and detailed the work that Spags has asked of him so far.

“It’s fun. They’ve got me playing different positions, so I’m learning a lot as a joker, as a sam, as a mike,” says Ragland. “So it’s fun learning it, but I just have to keep getting better, keep studying, and keep asking the necessary questions to get better in this scheme.”

Ragland came over to the Chiefs two years ago in a preseason trade from the Buffalo Bills for a low-round choice. Coming off of a torn ACL the previous season, Ragland’s first year with the Chiefs was a mulligan of sorts, but it’s not as if an additional season in 2018 solidified his standing. Instead, Ragland’s tenure with K.C. has been a mixed bag; Pro Football Focus graded him 73rd among linebackers last year with a 55.8 rating.

That said, Ragland entered the NFL with considerable hype as a run-stopping force who could make the difference on early downs. This year he’s slimmed down a bit from his previous playing weight and says he feels better. Perhaps that will help him attack in ways he hasn’t been able to just yet in the pros.

“I needed to come back a little bit slimmer this year. I’ve been eating better. I feel better,” says Ragland. “My knee feels better, so I’m just trying to play ball and get in the right position so I can get some time on this field.”

Ragland had 86 total tackles in 15 starts last season for the Chiefs. He also had his first career interception as a pro along with another interception of Tom Brady in the playoffs.