3 Chiefs who should see the greatest workload increase in 2024

The 2024 version of the Kansas City Chiefs will begin their chase for history in the coming weeks. While much of the burden of leadership still lies on old faithful stars like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones, there are inevitable changes every offseason and the Chiefs have some big holes to fill.

Here is a glance at the returning Chiefs whom we anticipate will see the biggest bump in snaps this season:

1. Leo Chenal

The third-year linebacker turned heads at a rookie presentation in 2022 when he told Mitch Holthus that he was going to bring "violence and physicality" to the Chiefs' defense.

Chenal has served as a viable contributor on special teams in his two years as a pro but has also chipped in consistently in Steve Spagnuolo's defense in his first two years. As a rookie in 2022, Chenal played 23% of snaps behind veterans Nick Bolton and Willie Gay. That number increased to 41% in 2023, despite the addition of Drue Tranquill to the lineup.

At 6'3" and 250 pounds, Chenal offers a unique skill set to Spagnuolo's defense, and the loss of Willie Gay in free agency opens up even more opportunity for the former Badger. Chenal is still just 23 years old and will be counted on at both SAM and WILL 'backer spots. The hope is that the third-year defender will step into Gay's shoes and make a name for himself in 2024.

2. Chamarri Conner

The Chiefs targeted Conner in the 2023 draft, moving up in the 4th round to select the versatile defensive back. Knowing that Mike Edwards would likely be a one-year rental, general manager Brett Veach loved Conner's ability to play either safety position as well as defend tight ends effectively.

The Chiefs will need to lean into Conner up in the box with several athletic tight ends on the schedule, including Mark Andrews, Brock Bowers, Kyle Pitts, George Kittle, Dalton Kincaid, and Michael Mayer, among others. Strong safety Justin Reid's quad injury further increases the need for Conner to step it up in 2024, and the 24-year-old promises not to disappoint.

3. Felix Anudike-Uzomah

The Chiefs' first-round pick in 2023 was largely redshirted his rookie season, resting firmly behind George Karlaftis, Charles Omenihu, and Mike Danna on the depth chart. The former Kansas State Wildcat made a marginal impact with what opportunities he got early in the year while Omenihu was out on suspension but quickly took a backseat when the veteran returned to the lineup.

Though Anudike-Uzomah doesn't have a clear path to a starting role in 2024, he will likely be the first man off the bench until Omenihu returns from a late-season injury suffered in the AFC Championship Game.

With a year under his belt, the 22-year-old Anudike-Uzomah is expected to receive an uptick in snaps, and a year's worth of tutelage under Spagnuolo and Joe Cullen promises to benefit FAU. Though Karlaftis is entrenched at one starting role, and Danna signed a multi-year extension this offseason, it's put-up-or-shut-up time for Anudike-Uzomah. Expect to see the second-year pro respond to the call.

Honorable mention: RB Deneric Prince, TE Noah Gray, OL Wanya Morris, CB Joshua Williams.