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Kansas City Chiefs: Top 5 boom or bust players for 2023

By Lyle Graversen

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 20: Skyy Moore #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after a first down during the third quarter in the game against the Los Angles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 20: Skyy Moore #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after a first down during the third quarter in the game against the Los Angles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 09: Donovan Smith #76 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers helps Tom Brady #12 on the field during the first half of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 09: Donovan Smith #76 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers helps Tom Brady #12 on the field during the first half of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

2. Donovan Smith

The Chiefs surprised a lot of Chiefs fans recently when they signed free agent Donovan Smith and declared that he would likely be their starting left tackle this season. Prior to signing Smith, the plan was to play their big contract free agent signing Jawaan Taylor at left tackle. Taylor had mostly played right tackle in the NFL but was believed to have the athleticism to make the switch and excel on the left side.

The “boom” scenario for Smith is that he plays as well or better than Orlando Brown Jr. did last season at a fraction of the cost while allowing Taylor to continue to shine as one of the better pass-blocking right tackles in all the NFL. That scenario would likely lead to Kansas City having one of the best offensive lines in all of the NFL. Patrick Mahomes with a great offensive line is terrifying for opposing defenses and would go a long way toward assuring the Chiefs are one of the best teams in all of football again.

As good as that “boom” scenario sounds for the Chiefs, the “bust” scenario for Smith is equally terrifying. Smith was not a very good left tackle last season. In fact, while many fans won’t want to hear this, Smith was a worse left tackle than Orlando Brown was last season. That has been credited to injury issues Smith had, but Smith will turn 30 next month and it’s possible that physically Smith is now on a downward trajectory.

The nightmare scenario for Kansas City is that the Chiefs spend all offseason playing Smith at left tackle and Taylor at right tackle and then early in the season it becomes clear that Smith isn’t up for the job. The Chiefs’ only real alternative at that point would be to move Taylor to the left side like they originally planned, but without the practice and reps to prepare for it. That scenario could lead to a major downgrade in tackle play from last season and could even be the difference in a close playoff matchup with the season on the line.

As important as Donovan Smith’s boom/bust season is for the Chiefs, he was just edged out for the top spot.

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