KC Chiefs snap counts: Prospects earn more playing time vs. Chargers

If you’re among those beating the drum that the K.C. Chiefs need to play the kids more over some of the older defensive stalwarts, then at least some of the silver lining from the team’s loss to the L.A. Chargers in Week 3 is that some of the younger prospects finally earned some playing time in the game.

The official snap counts are out and we wanted to take note of what we can learn from the reps given (or not given) to some players in the game.

While the only stat that really matters in the end is the final score of 30-24, we can at least glean some insights from the game or even for the future by taking a look at the following.

Joshua Kaindoh

If you’re hungry to see a fresh face along a defensive front that has been unable to generate any pressure at all, then you’ll be glad to know that Joshua Kaindoh, the team’s fourth round pick, went from inactive last week to active once again in Week 3. While he played the least of any defender in terms of total reps, that total was still surprisingly high at 18 overall (or 27 percent of the snaps).

The Chiefs have been rendered completely ineffective up front so far in 2021 despite spending an inordinate amount of money and early draft picks along the defensive line. Frank Clark is inconsistent and injured. The Chris Jones experiment is yielding mixed results by moving him outside. Alex Okafor looks like he’s hit the veteran wall, and Mike Danna is decent but he’s not going to beat the NFL’s better tackles.

There’s no doubt that Kaindoh was aided by the health concerns around Chris Jones coming into the game (wrist injury that had him questionable) and the loss of Frank Clark (who was out for the game with a hamstring injury).

Juan Thornhill

Last week, Juan Thornhill played the least amount of snaps among any defensive players who made it into the game against the Baltimore Ravens. This week, it was Kaindoh, but Thornhill was right above him, having only played in 19 total snaps (good for 29 percent).

We’ve covered this before, but no one outside of Arrowhead Stadium still knows why Thornhill isn’t getting more playing time, especially with Dan Sorensen looking outmatched at times by (far) more athletic pass catchers. Sorensen can still come up with the clutch play, but the Chiefs aren’t playing to his strengths instead they’re tasking him with starter’s reps and hoping the good balances the bad.

That’s an improper use of both safeties, especially Thornhill who is completely capable of holding down a starting spot.

Nick Bolton

Yes, Willie Gay Jr. is out, but the Chiefs have also been playing in their base defense much more than they likely predicted early on based on the offensive looks given to them by opposing teams. That means they’re playing three linebackers more often than expected, which is giving plenty of playing time for second round pick Nick Bolton.

The results aren’t always pretty but there’s no doubt that Bolton is learning on the fly. He played on 79 percent of all snaps on Sunday, giving him a good body of work so far and solid film to study after the fact.

Ben Niemann is also playing quite a bit, so you know Bolton will continue to get work after Gay returns as well along with Hitchens—at least until the Chiefs’ opponents give them reason to play more nickel and dime packages. For now you can know Bolton is getting plenty of PT to learn as he matures.

Jody Fortson

The Chiefs continue to roll with four active tight ends through three games so far, and the results finally showed through a bit on Sunday when we all gasped at Jody Fortson’s ability to go up and grab a high toss from Patrick Mahomes in the back of the end zone for a go-ahead touchdown against the Chargers.

Fortson only had 6 total snaps on the day, which meant the former Valdosta State product made the most of his playing time.

How much will the tight ends continue to play? They’re not getting much time with Gray only pulling in one catch himself for five yards while playing only 11 snaps, but the Chiefs are forging this roster with he future in mind. That means protecting these young tight ends. We can only hope the Chiefs at least utilize their talents from time to time in order to make it worth it.