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KC Chiefs rookie report: How did they look against Broncos?

By Lucas Strozinsky

DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 11: Isiah Pacheco #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with Patrick Mahomes #15 after running for a first down during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on December 11, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 11: Isiah Pacheco #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with Patrick Mahomes #15 after running for a first down during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on December 11, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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How did the rookies on the Kansas City Chiefs play in the 34-28 victory win against the Denver Broncos?

The Kansas City Chiefs have bounced back after their loss to Cincinnati with the Week 14 victory over Denver Broncos. Which rookies saw playing time against Denver and how did those players perform?

The Chiefs selected ten players in this 2022 NFL Draft, with nine of them making the final roster after training camp, and eight have seen playing time on offense or defense so far this season. Despite making the final roster, Darian Kinnard has only dressed for one game this season, in which he only saw six snaps on special teams, and Nazeeh Johnson is on the practice squad but has dressed in several games this season, playing only special teams snaps.

Here are the snap counts for every rookie in Week 14:

  • Trent McDuffie, CB: 78 total snaps (71 defensive and 7 special teams)
  • Joshua Williams, CB: 54 total snaps (36 defensive and 18 special teams)
  • George Karlaftis, EDGE: 48 total snaps (44 defensive and 4 special teams)
  • Bryan Cook, S: 42 total snaps (20 defensive and 22 special teams)
  • Jaylen Watson, CB: 38 defensive snaps (26 defensive and 12 special teams)
  • Leo Chenal, LB: 35 total snaps (9 defensive and 26 special teams)
  • Isiah Pacheco, RB: 34 total snaps (29 offensive and 5 special teams)
  • Skyy Moore, WR: 27 offensive snaps

Leo Chenal, Linebacker (Round 3, Pick 103)

Although he only played nine snaps on Sunday, Leo Chenal played very well, primarily in coverage as he made a great play on Denver tight end Eric Saubert in the second quarter to limit him to a 2-yard gain.

After averaging around 18 snaps on defense per game between Weeks 5 and 11, Chenal has only played 16 total defensive snaps over the past three weeks, including nine against the Broncos. It was known coming into the season that Chenal was a project and wouldn’t see much playing time behind Willie Gay and Nick Bolton but the Chiefs have been inconsistent in terms of how much playing time he gets. During Gay’s suspension, he averaged 15 snaps per game but has averaged 13 snaps per game overall. He’s still only 22 years old and has been solid on special teams, so I don’t see any reason to panic when it comes to Chenal.

Bryan Cook, Safety (Round 2, Pick 62)

After not playing much against Cincinnati, safety Bryan Cook played 20 snaps against the Broncos. It was a so-so game for the rookie, as his only target in coverage resulted in a 23-yard gain by tight end Greg Dulcich on a play in which the ball bounced in the air after Cook unsuccessfully tried to jump the throw. He also blitzed on one play but did not record a pressure.

I wouldn’t classify Week 14 as a successful game for Bryan Cook, but he didn’t play much either. I have a lot of faith that he can be a solid starting safety in the NFL, although I had the same feeling about Juan Thornhill in 2019.

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