Kansas City Chiefs who could make their first Pro Bowl in 2020
The Chiefs have several offensive players who could earn their first Pro Bowl birth in 2020
Mitchell Schwartz
Mitchell Schwartz has been a first team All-Pro selection but not a Pro Bowler. He is the best right tackle in football, and 2020 should be the year he finally gets his due recognition.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire
If Clyde Edwards-Helaire wins the starting running back job either before, or early in the season, he has the potential to be a stud in Andy Reid‘s offense. In fact, his ability coupled with Patrick Mahomes‘ transcendent stardom and Reid’s offensive genius have led many to believe that the former LSU standout will be a fantasy football superstar in 2020.
The rookie would be the first Chiefs true running back to make the Pro Bowl since Jamaal Charles did so in 2014 (though fullback Anthony Sherman did make the squad in 2018), and would be the 13th rusher to make the Pro Bowl in the history of the franchise. All told, the Chiefs have had 30 backfield Pro Bowl selections in the team’s 60-year history.
Sammy Watkins
Despite being the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, wide receiver Sammy Watkins has never made the Pro Bowl in his six seasons in the league. In 2015, Watkins had 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns – and that was not quite good enough to make the Pro Bowl.
In Kansas City’s offense, Watkins is the third receiving option after perennial Pro Bowlers Kelce and Hill. That typically hurts a player like Watkins however, at some point defenses are going to have to change the way they cover Kansas City’s offense, specifically Hill and Kelce, which could lead to more opportunities on the outside for Watkins, if he can take advantage them. The former Buffalo Bill had 90 targets a season ago, but managed to pull in only 52 receptions.
2020 is a contract year for Watkins, so one would think he’d be motivated to have the best season of his career in an attempt to cash in on one more massive pay day before age starts to get the better of him.
Martinas Rankin
Prior to the start of the 2019 season, Kansas City traded running back Carlos Hyde to the Houston Texans for offensive lineman Martinas Rankin. Rankin played in six games, starting five, for the Chiefs prior to suffering a season ending injury. Rankin should have every opportunity to win the starting job in 2020, and if he does, he has an opportunity to be excellent.
Rankin was a third round pick in 2018 for the Texans. He played in all 16 games as a rookie in Houston, though he started only three, before being traded to Kansas City. The former Mississippi State standout is a bit of an unknown commodity for the Chiefs heading into training camp, but do not be surprised to see him excel at the left guard position in 2020.