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Are fans expecting too much from the Kansas City Chiefs rookies?

By Lyle Graversen

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 5: Linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Troy Trojans at Memorial Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 5: Linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Troy Trojans at Memorial Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 31: Center Creed Humphrey #56 of the Oklahoma Sooners snaps the ball during the first half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 31: Center Creed Humphrey #56 of the Oklahoma Sooners snaps the ball during the first half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Creed Humphrey

Creed Humphrey was technically the Chiefs second draft pick (in the second round), but I think he may be the rookie with the most realistically high expectations. Humphrey’s scouting report out of college was that he has both the physical tools needed to succeed and the leadership/knowledge set to be a guy to make all the calls for an offensive line.

The Chiefs have had Humphrey running with the first string in OTAs, so it looks like he will be given every opportunity to earn the starting spot over veteran Austin Blythe. Before I throw cold water on expectations for some of the other rookies, let me start by saying that I think Humphrey has the best chance of living up to fan expectations this season.

Nick Bolton

The Chiefs’ other second round pick Nick Bolton will also get plenty of chances to get on the field this season. I just think it’s way too early to predict what kind of role he will have.

The Chiefs play a lot of sub packages with only two linebackers (or even one linebacker and Dan Sorensen). I personally think Bolton has an uphill battle to be one of those two sub package linebackers as a rookie. Anthony Hitchens is going to be on the field over him. Period. Bolton may be the heir apparent to his spot, but this is a Super Bowl contending team and Hitchens is their primary play caller in the middle of the field for the defense.

My guess is that, at the start of training camp, second year linebacker Willie Gay Jr. will be given a chance to be the linebacker next to Hitchens in the sub package. Gay has faster sideline to sideline speed and has a year’s head start on Bolton. While Bolton does have more of a reputation as a defensive play caller and leader than Gay does, I don’t know if that will matter this season while Hitchens is still around.

If Gay does play over Bolton in the sub package then that basically limits Bolton to being primarily a base defense and goal line player. He can still help the team and get valuable experience in that role as a rookie, but if you’re looking for him to put up huge tackle numbers and be a major impact player as a rookie, it could be tough.

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