Three most underrated players on the KC Chiefs 2023 roster

The Kansas City Chiefs have kicked off their highly anticipated 2023 training camp, with rookies officially reporting to Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.

In the coming weeks, the Chiefs' key decision-makers, including Andy Reid and Brett Veach, will diligently evaluate the talented pool of players to determine the final 53-man roster ahead of the regular season and cutdown day (August 29). They'll also identify players they hope to retain on the practice squad and others they may need to straight up release.

While the Chiefs currently boast 90 players on their active roster, it's worth highlighting some of the underrated gems who often don't receive the spotlight despite their exceptional contributions. While superstars like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are widely recognized, there are other players deserving of recognition.

Let's review the three most underrated players on the Kansas City Chiefs roster.

Drue Tranquill, Linebacker

To all die-hard Chiefs fans, it's clear that Drue Tranquill is anything but underrated. However, for many NFL fans, Tranquill might not receive the recognition he truly deserves, which is a shame.

Beyond merely bolstering the linebacker position, the signing of Tranquill holds significant importance as it weakens one of Kansas City's primary AFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers. By acquiring him from LA, it could be convincingly argued that the Chiefs now possess each of the top three linebackers in the AFC West. With Tranquill, Nick Bolton, and Willie Gay, the Chiefs' linebacker corps outshines everyone on the Raiders, Chargers, and possibly even the Broncos.

Although Tranquill may not be a household name, he undoubtedly can play a crucial role on a defense capable of reaching the Super Bowl. His skill as a talented blitzer has been evident over the past couple of seasons with the Chargers, and he's also displayed excellence in coverage.

Adding Tranquill to the roster provides the Chiefs with a perfect combination of talent and depth. He stands out as one of the most underrated players on the Chiefs' roster, and one could make a strong case for him being one of the most underrated linebackers across the entire NFL.

Nikko Remigio, Wide Receiver

One of the primary concerns for Chiefs fans heading into the season revolves around the wide receiver position. The team faces worries about the absence of a true number one option, as well as concerns about depth, and both aspects weigh heavily on their minds.

A potential solution to these concerns lies in Nikko Remigio, an undrafted free agent hailing from Fresno State, showcasing immense talent that could translate to success in the league. Moreover, Remigio could prove to be the missing piece at punt returner, allowing Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore to focus more on their offensive roles. Notably, Remigio possesses excellent after-the-catch abilities, a trait that Andy Reid highly values in his players.

However, Remigio faces the challenge of a wide receiver logjam within the Chiefs' roster. Despite his undeniable skill, it may be difficult for him to secure a spot over more established players like Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Rashee Rice. Additionally, he'll be competing against other promising depth options, including Richie James, Justin Watson, Justyn Ross, and John Ross, for a spot on the roster.

Despite the tough competition, come the first preseason game next month, don't be surprised if Nikko Remigio shines with a standout play, leaving many Chiefs fans pleasantly surprised and saying, "I've never heard of this guy, but he's really good."

Keondre Coburn, Defensive Tackle

One of the rookies who has captured my admiration on the Chiefs' roster is interior defensive lineman Keondre Coburn. In my view, the defensive tackle position is one of the weaker areas on the team, and Coburn presents a potential solution to this concern.

While Coburn may not be known for his pass-rushing abilities, he excelled as a run stuffer during his time at the University of Texas, precisely what the Chiefs could benefit from. With Chris Jones as a dominant force in pass-rushing, the team could use a skilled run defender to address their depth issues. Even though Jones is excellent at both pass-rushing and run defense, the need for another quality run stuffer is apparent, especially considering Tershawn Wharton's limitations and Derrick Nnadi's potential decline in performance.

Picking Keondre Coburn in the sixth round (194th overall) of the draft was a shrewd move by the Chiefs, as many draft analysts believed he could have gone much earlier, perhaps in the 100-150 range before the draft.

Keondre Coburn's impact on the team may not manifest in a high number of sacks each season, but it's reasonable to anticipate him evolving into an enhanced version of his college self, which would be immensely valuable for the Chiefs in the long term. The team has long sought a true run-stuffer to complement Chris Jones, and Coburn has the potential to fill that crucial role.

Amidst the roster evaluations, Coburn appears to be a safer bet to secure a spot on the final roster than some might realize. His skill set makes him well-suited for a significant role, especially on early downs, where his ability to excel in rushing situations could prove vital early in the upcoming season.