The Kansas City Chiefs haven't produced the sort of eye-popping offensive stats that most casual fans look to first in recent years. However, at times, it's important to look at some in-depth metrics to get a better idea of what's really going on.
Using metrics by Field Vision, actual production and value are measured and fully realized. Frankly, in a lot of areas, the Chiefs appear average, but their appearance in the Super Bowl proves otherwise.
Let's take a look at various positions and see what a deeper analytical dive can tell us about the Chiefs.
Quarterback (84.2 Threat Rating, 12th QB in NFL)
Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been statistically impressive in two years, despite the Super Bowl win and appearance. His 84.2 Threat Rating places him outside of the top 10 quarterbacks in the league. Given how the hampered passing attack and o-line troubles inspired Mahomes’ mumbling through the middle parts of the season, his triumph is impressive. With the avoidance of designed QB runs, Mahomes’ rating relies heavily on his arm and performance against the blitz. The accomplishment is a testament to the obvious talent and an incrimination of nearly everything else.
Running back (67.2 Threat Rating, 27th RB group in NFL)
For a former offensive lineman and positional coach, Andy Reid despises running the football. During my week in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine, Field Vision head of football ops and Match Quarters founder Cody Alexander dropped the phrase, “Clichés matter.” Defense wins championships, and you run to win.
Kareem Hunt seemed like the old school back who would master these antiquated sayings (20th RB in Threat). Samaje Perine was a decent option out of the backfield as the only Chiefs RB to qualify for a ‘downfield’ Threat rating. The largest outlier in the Chiefs' run game was the absence of the Tasmanian Devil. Frankly, Isiah Pacheco may not ever return to the level that we saw him at previously, as we know the shelf life of the RB position. Hopefully, one injury doesn’t snuff out what looked ridiculously exciting.
Wide receiver (63.6 Threat Rating, T-30th WR group)
Did anybody need any more confirmation? When your squad is just behind the New England Patriots and tied with the New Orleans Saints, you have to do something new (puns fall into laps sometimes). DeAndre Hopkins, who spent a portion of the season with Tennessee, ranks the highest for K.C. and is the 36th best slot receiver. The Eagles' choice to match up in one-on-one opportunities in the Super Bowl was ridiculously easy for Fangio.
Of the five receivers who qualified for Threat ratings, three players fell out of the top 100, and Xavier Worthy settled at #96 (63.3). The Rashee Rice injury harshened a tenuous situation, but his pending suspension won’t lighten it either. Free agency, draft, and open tryouts should all be on the table.
Tight end (76.2 Threat Rating, 3rd TE group)
Much has been said about Travis Kelce’s falloff after the Super Bowl, but he was actually one of the league’s most productive players at the position he revolutionized. Falling behind George Kittle, Trey McBride, and rookie sensation Brock Bowers, the old man still put out the elite production despite traditional stats betraying him slightly. No doubt, this is a different Travis Kelce, but he is still an elite player. The interesting fever point is that the Chiefs move to the #3 spot in the weighted Threat rankings, thanks to Noah Gray’s performance.
Offensive line (70.0 Threat Rating, 5th OL)
It shocked me when I saw that this group rated so highly in our composite ranking of the NFL's offensive lines. Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, and Joe Thuney have shored up the middle better than anyone else between the guards, but the tragicomedy of the tackle spots should have ended hopes of being elite.
Kingsley Suamataia still has oodles of potential, but potential just means that you suck until you don't. Jawaan Taylor's permanent rocking-chair-like movements before the snap make me cry blood. When I realized that the first offensive line that fell outside of 60.0 was third from the bottom, KC's relative ranking made more sense.
Defensive tackle (71.5 Havoc Rating, 11th DT group)
We all love Chris Jones, but we all know that his effort is lacking on occasion. That’s the benefit of being the best player when it matters the most for the reigning AFC champs. His spot as the 15th best DT, according to our Havoc Rating, shouldn’t affect his spot in our minds as an all-timer.
Tershawn Wharton’s value and pending free agency worry me, being that the 34th best DT might have a new home next season. The snap counts of Mike Pennel and Derrick Nnadi disqualified them from their inclusion in the weighted category, but I like both players where the Chiefs need them.
The real issue for all of these big, beefy athletes is their run defense. Chris Jones’s 83.0 pass rushing Havoc plummets when met with his 69.5 run defense Havoc. Most scores are changed by similar situations, but there is still much to be desired.
Defensive end (71.2 Havoc Rating, 19th DE group)
Mike Danna should be on more "most underrated" lists. His 75.2 Havoc Rating slots him as the 33rd best DE, while George Karlaftis had a flashier year but falls behind at 39th. Felix Anudike-Uzomah marks the break between Danna and Karlaftis and the rest. Joshua Uche and Malik Herring barely saw the field, so their ratings are nullified from the average position ranking. Charles Omenihu’s late-season return wasn’t enough to place him at the top of his own team; in fact, he’s near the bottom in pass, rush, and overall Havoc.
Linebacker (79.6 Havoc Rating, 15th LB group)
Nick Bolton may make a bunch of money this offseason alongside Zack Baun and Bobby Wagner. This year’s performance by the linebacker position across the league was wildly impressive, while the Chiefs have employed some solid ones for years. Leo Chenal was scouted and drafted as a run stopper but rates with an 86.0 as a coverage LB, the most productive Chief. Bolton and Tranquill are no slouches in this respect either, staying with the top 100. Bolton leads the charge as the top run stopper, but none are particularly impressive in that respect.
Cornerbacks (81.1 Havoc Rating, 9th CB group)
Trent McDuffie has found himself amongst the other great young corners in the NFL. He slots as the 26th overall corner, but the position rates so well that the #5 CB (Marshon Lattimore) is at an 89.7 and the #54 CB (Chau Smith-Wade) sits at an 80.0. His zone Havoc buoys the rest of the metrics, but he definitely leads the group.
Jaylen Watson’s absence was a point of contention when the defense faltered in the middle of the season, and his 82.8 overall Havoc justifies that thought. He leads the Chiefs in man-to-man Havoc and takes residence inside the top 10. Christian Roland-Wallace’s run support must have been greatly appreciated by his linebacker teammates, rating 6th in the entire league in that role.
Safety (70.7 Havoc Rating, 24th safety group)
I would like to take this time to thank Justin Reid for the leadership and play he’s provided over his tenure in Kansas City, but I also believe he’s played his last down for the Chiefs. With Jaden Hicks’ prominence growing for Spags’ defense, Reid’s relevance will be questioned this offseason. The Chiefs drafted a bunch of defensive backs in the 2022 and 2023 drafts, and at some point, the only ones employed will be them. Hicks and Cook were clearly the best coverage safeties and look like the future of the spot for Kansas City.