Reviewing the KC Chiefs rookies after 2022’s first quarter

Bryan Cook, Safety (Round 2, Pick 62)

Bryan Cook saw a lot more playing time on defense than in the first three games of the regular season. He played 47 snaps on defense against the Buccaneers, after playing less than 40 such snaps in September, and he had one of the highlights of the night for a defensive unit who had their weakest game to date:

Cook was a little underwhelming in September but had an excellent game against the Bucs. He saved a touchdown, had a solid tackling performance, and also recorded a hit on Tom Brady.

After a slow start in September, Bryan Cook started off October on the right foot and had a great performance against the Buccaneers. If that game was any indicator, the Chiefs may have found a good player for the long-term in the rookie safety.

Isiah Pacheco, Running Back (Round 7, Pick 251)

Isiah Pacheco had the strongest game of his very short career in Tampa Bay on Sunday, recording 11 carries for 63 rushing yards. Although he had 12 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown against Arizona in Week 1, the game against the Bucs felt like a better performance because he saw playing time in non-garbage time action, and contributed to the strong offensive performance in meaningful snaps, instead of just racking up statistics when the Chiefs stopped being aggressive.

Through four games in 2022, Isiah Pacheco appears to be one of the biggest steals of his draft class. If Sunday was any indication of the future, the Chiefs may have found a starting running back, giving them a lot of flexibility on offense. He still has a ways to go to become an every-down back, like improving his vision and pass protection, so he may not see a lot of time on third down but he has earned the privilege to rotate with Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon on early downs.

Skyy Moore, Wide Receiver (Round 2, Pick 54)

After weeks of fans pushing for Skyy Moore to see more playing time on offense, we finally got what we wished for against Tampa Bay when he saw four targets for two catches and 31 yards. Four of his five targets and 31 of his 61 receiving yards this season came in the win over the Buccaneers. He failed to see any targets in Week 2 against the Chargers or Week 3 against the Colts.

Moore has been very efficient when he has seen the field. He’s recorded 2.77 yards per route run in 2022, per PFF ($), which is good for 8th out of 91 wide receivers/tight ends in the NFL with at least five targets so far this season. In my opinion, the Chiefs need to expand his role if they want to have a chance at a third Super Bowl victory in franchise history.

In his limited targets, Skyy Moore has shown that he deserves a chance to earn more playing time. He has the separation skills that the Chiefs seemingly lack at the wide receiver position. He has the tools to be a star in the future but he can also be a serious contributor to a team aiming to win the Super Bowl in the present.