Lions vs Chiefs: A comprehensive wish list for preseason Week 2

Forget the obvious points we all know. Let's get into what we really would love to see for and from the Chiefs.

Between the meaningless stature of preseason games and the very few reps that starters are given in them, it feels silly to talk about what we want to see from an exhibition that matters nothing to the final standings (and won't even be remembered by anyone unless something tragic or comedic happens).

Still, these games aren't meaningless themselves to the coaches and players involved, and as fans, if you're looking toward roster decisions and player development, they aren't without meaning either. That means that we don't just have to say things like "ah, I don't care what happens" or "the only thing that matters is no one gets hurt" about Saturday's game at Arrowhead.

The Kansas City Chiefs are hosting the Detroit Lions in the second week of the preseason. For the Chiefs it's a nice chance to stay at home while the weather is still nice as they'll remain in K.C. until September 22—or Week 3 of the regular season, when they travel to face the Atlanta Falcons. It's also a game filled with meaning if you want to look for it.

The outcome? Pointless. The action on the field? There's a lot to see. Here's our comprehensive wishlist for the Chiefs for preseason Week 2.

1. Leo Chenal looking ready

Everyone is kicking off the rust, to be sure, as they prepare for the regular season. Passes will be errant. Catches will be dropped. Routes will be wrong from time to time. Tackles will be missed. Punts will be muffed. Assignments will be wrong.

But let's recall the lasting images that Leo Chenal left us with from the last postseason, a run of dominance in the Chiefs' second level that made everyone gasp with several key plays and big hits. It was also a sign that he was ready for more—or at least that was the thought as he turned toward his third NFL season.

The Chiefs let Willie Gay walk in free agency to New Orleans on a fairly reasonable one-year deal, perhaps in part because Chenal seemed ready for more. So when Chenal looked pretty bad in a very limited stint in coverage in the team's first preseason game against the Jaguars, it was a bit of a shock—and a reminder of the limitations on his scouting reports coming into the league in the first place.

Is Chenal best left to flourish only as other linebackers can cover his weaknesses? Is he ready for more? As the starters get more time, our first wish is to see Chenal look ready for greater responsibility as the season approaches.

2. A glimpse of Joe Thuney

This one is selfish, because no one should be pushed into playing unless they'r'e ready and, as we said, this game is meaningless in the standings.

Andy Reid did say, however, that the Chiefs would wait and see how Thuney was feeling coming into this game as he's slowly and steadily returned from a pectoral injury. Week 1 seems like a safe goal, but we'd like to see a bit of Thuney even this week for a couple of reasons.

First, it would give Kingsley Suamataia at least some bit of experience next to his running mate up front. Thuney should be a vital anchor for the first-year left tackle, and if some of that connection can reach back into the preseason, then the BYU product will be all the better for it when the games do count. Secondly, it can't hurt Thuney himself to test things out in an exhibition to truly see how far he's come.

3. More heroics from Carson Steele

No one wants to be duped by a training camp stud, but it'd be nice if Carson Steele proved he was more than that with further heroics on the field in Week 2.

Steele was the talk of the town after the Chiefs' first preseason game against the Jaguars with a couple of tough runs that earned him more looks as training camp closed and he should get a good run of action on Saturday—perhaps even a series with the ones.

No matter who it is, the Chiefs need someone to step up at running back, because the position is very thin right now—perhaps perilously so. Behind Isiah Pacheco, there's only the oft-injured Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the uninspiring Deneric Prince, and fringe roster players from Keaontay Ingram to Hassan Hall to Emani Bailey.

The Chiefs feel like they need to make a roster move here to import someone, but Steele could at least provide more confidence (and competence) here.

4. Special teams acumen

The NFL's rule changes have everyone scratching their heads about kickoffs and how they work. Fans might have expected that, but no one wants to see players doing the same.

In the first preseason game, the Chiefs endured the most ocnfusing kickoff call of all with a safety that few people really understood. It was also clear the Chiefs weren't quite ready for some things on special teams. Given that the specialists themselves look good—Matt Araiza as punter and Harrison Butker as kicker—these units could be truly special if they can avoid the mental errors.

5. One big catch from Justyn Ross

For all of their receiving options in what seems like a crowded part of the depth chart for the final couple of receiver spots, the truth is that the Chiefs only have one wideout like Justyn Ross from top to bottom on the roster. Therefore, it'd be nice if he proved himself worthy of one of the final active spots.

Ross has been, at times, so effective at being that big, physical receiver who can make the contested catch with his blend of body control, soft hands, and length. It wasn't so long ago that Chiefs Kingdom was fawning over his potential, and while he's been slow to make anything happen, the Chiefs still have him around for a reason.

We've already seen a few catches this preseason—in practice and in a game—that warrant inclusion on the final roster. A few more wouldn't hurt.

6. Something from Truman Jones

Earlier this preseason, the Chiefs reportedly showcased an interest in bringing back Emmanuel Ogbah before he re-signed with the Miami Dolphins. It was a positive sign of some personal guesses that the Chiefs are hungry for help—outside help—at the defensive end position.

Those moves are likely still to come when teams make their active roster cuts (or just before if they pull off a trade), but of course, it'd be nice if someone could step up and provide some pass-rushing juice as a rotational player behind the obvious candidates.

Mike Danna and George Karlaftis are the assumed starters and should hold things down just fine there. Felix Anudike-Uzomah looks improved and he'll help as well. However, another body is needed and that's where the Chiefs are too thin—knowing Charles Omenihu is still rehabbing and that B.J. Thompson's medicals are a real concern.

Malik Herring lacks the ceiling to go beyond what we've already seen and we're not sure what Owen Carney adds at this point. That leaves us with Truman Jones, a Harvard product with 13 TFL and 6 sacks in his final season in the Ivy League. He's been with the Chiefs for the last couple of seasons on the practice squad and could be ready to make a push.

Any emergence for Jones at this point is unlikely to keep the Chiefs from importing the veteran help they need before the season begins, but it'd be a great sign at a position that needs something.

7. A difficult call at corner

The Chiefs have no shortage of impressive young players at cornerback, each hoping to help fill the hole created by L'Jarius Sneed's absence after four seasons with the team. That said, it's still very much a fluid situation as to who will play how much when the dust settles.

We like it that way.

It'd be nice for those competing—Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson, Nazeeh Johnson—to still make things difficult on the Chiefs' coaching staff as they try to put together the positions in the secondary and decide upon their boundary corners with Trent McDuffie obviously in that mix.

A strong game from Watson, as he continues to return from injury, alongside Williams would be a very welcome sight knowing the Chiefs depth would remain in place. And for Johnson in particular, a player who has been robbed of well-earned opportunities due to ill-timed injuries, it'd be nice to see him enjoy the spoils of success for once.

8. Stay healthy

It's what everyone says about what they hope to see in a preseason game, but it's true. Here's hoping we hear about no new injuries after the game.