Chiefs Stock Watch, Week 17: Isiah Pacheco pops off as Chiefs silence Bengals

Stock Down: Wanya Morris

Wanya Morris is a rookie and is projected to be a long-term project for the Chiefs' offensive line. A strong showing in the preseason and an injury to the oft-injured Donovan Smith has thrust Morris into the spotlight.

Morris has had mixed results after being thrown into the deep end. He is an exceptional run blocker and consistently provides openings for the running backs to charge through. The issue, however, is his pass blocking—a huge reason why Mahomes is running for his life on seemingly every play.

On the game's second drive, an obvious passing situation on 3rd-and-7 meant that the Bengals would be shooting for a big play. Trey Hendrickson, who already has a history of making big plays against the Chiefs, smoked Morris around the edge, stripped Mahomes of the ball, and gave Cincinnati the ball on the 25-yard line going in. That play led to a touchdown and put the Chiefs in an all-too-familiar double-digit hole at home in the first half.

Luckily for the Chiefs, those would be the last points that Cincinnati would score. Morris continued his excellent run blocking and helped Pacheco turn in his career day. Still, the pass blocking will be an issue in the playoffs. Jawaan Taylor, on the other hand, has had an up-and-down year, and Donovan Smith has been just okay when he is healthy. There are quite a few problems with the Chiefs' offense, and shoring up the offensive line would clear up most of them.

The linemen cannot catch the ball for the receivers. Still, they can at least provide enough time for Mahomes to not feel like he is constantly under fire. When the Chiefs won the Super Bowl last year, the offensive line stepped up big time. With a rookie and two new veterans in the mix, they will have to do it again if they are going to make some noise.