KC Chiefs rookie review, Week 5: Draft class struggles against Raiders

Kansas City Chiefs rookies ailed to generate significant production against the Raiders.

As the Kansas City Chiefs struggled on Sunday in their divisional battle with the Las Vegas Raiders, so too did the team’s rookie class. Through four weeks the defending Super Bowl champions had gotten many contributions, consistently, from its first year players, but that was less the case in Week Five than it was in any week before.

Some of that was to be expected, though. First round running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was not going to repeat his Week 1 performance every game, and he’s certainly proven less effective the last few weeks. In addition, injuries have taken their toll on the rookie class with both cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and defensive end Mike Danna on Injured Reserve.

Of those first year players who are on the team, how did their contributions look against the rival Raiders?

Inactives

Yasir Durant

Yasir Durant has yet to see game action this season. As an undrafted rookie free agent behind many veterans on the interior offensive line, this is not much of a surprise.

Lucas Niang (COVID)

Third round pick Lucas Niang opted out of the season before it began due to COVID concerns.

Mike Danna (IR)

Mike Danna had been a surprising contributor for Kansas City in the early going, but was placed on injured reserve last week with a hamstring injury. There is no timetable for his return at this point.

L’Jarius Sneed (IR)

L’Jarius Sneed suffered a broken clavicle in Week Three and was placed on IR as a result. This injury typically takes between six and 10 weeks to return from.

BoPete Keyes

Okay, you got me. Technically the Chiefs seventh round pick, BoPete Keyes, was active on Monday from a roster management perspective. However, the rookie corner saw no action on defense or on special teams so he was, by all accounts, inactive.