Top 20 Chiefs players for the 2022 season: 4-1

[ad_1]

It has turn into a convention throughout the quiet a part of the offseason: we make lists and rankings about all the things so we’ll have one thing to debate — but in addition to wrap our heads round what to anticipate from this Kansas City Chiefs roster.

My buddy (and Out of Structure podcast co-host Ron Kopp Jr.) did it last year — and after placing this yr’s roster into my Market Movers database, it makes for an fascinating comparability level.

And we’re lastly right here. Not solely has coaching camp begun, and never solely have the Chiefs lastly added assist on the EDGE place, however we’ve additionally reached the top of the highest 20 sequence with the 4 finest gamers on the roster for 2022.

Whether or not you’ve been following this sequence or not, you have already got a good suggestion of who the highest three Chiefs are. It’s the fourth participant that makes an enormous leap from 2021 and positions himself as a pacesetter and a distinction maker, possible with a inexperienced dot on his helmet in 2022. We already know that the rankings (from 4-20 and under) will shuffle fairly a bit because the season progresses, however there received’t be a brand new participant at No. 1 for one more decade.

With what little suspense stays, let’s go to the highest 4 Chiefs heading into the 2022 soccer season:

4. Linebacker Nick Bolton

Final week’s checklist began with a linebacker (Willie Homosexual, Jr.) who has taken some time to earn a beginning job however lastly seems to be like he’ll be stepping up and making performs this season. This week’s checklist begins together with his operating mate, Nick Bolton, who’s coming off of an outstanding rookie marketing campaign. Bolton burst on the scene in 2021 and, regardless of restricted snaps, led the Chiefs protection in tackles (112) and tackles for loss (11). He additionally made one of many largest performs of the season with an 86-yard fumble restoration for a landing.

Now, after the Chiefs let Anthony Hitchens go, Bolton is the unquestioned MIKE linebacker and one of many actual leaders of a new-look Chiefs protection. Bolton is already a top-5 Chief, which can come as a little bit of a shock to some. However he ought to already be within the dialog as one of many higher younger linebackers within the league and has actual Professional Bowl/All-Professional potential if his second season is on the identical trajectory as his first.

3. Defensive lineman Chris Jones

NFL: AFC Championship-Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs

The story presently final yr was the transition of Chris Jones to defensive finish. That transfer wasn’t precisely successful, however Jones nonetheless managed to ship his career-average 9.0 sacks and eight tackles for loss. He’s once more crucial participant on this protection in 2022, and he’s again inside, the place he’s most at house. The workforce will depend upon him to create fast strain and make game-changing performs, supplementing a move rush that merely wasn’t ok final yr. He appears motivated and energized in camp, with an enormous contract determination yr looming.

Jones has constructed a repute because the second-best inside move rusher within the league, behind solely Aaron Donald. However to carry on to that spot—and the potential future payday that would include it— Jones might want to get again into double-digit sacks this season. He admits that he had a frustrating end to his 2021 campaign, being unable to shut the deal in opposition to Joe Burrow within the AFC title recreation. When he’s at his finest, Jones can assist shut out massive video games, as he did in Super Bowl LIV. If he’s on the prime of his recreation in 2022, there are few gamers within the league which are as invaluable as Chris Jones, and his agent will be capable of make the case for one more new deal.

2. Tight finish Travis Kelce

One may argue that Chris Jones is an elite participant within the NFL, however the subsequent two guys on the checklist not must argue. Travis Kelce enters 2022 as one of the best tight finish within the NFL, bar none. He’ll begin work on his seventh straight 1,000-yard receiving season, which is absurd for a large receiver, a lot much less a decent finish— no different tight finish has greater than three. His path to the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame is paved with defensive backs and linebackers who’re both too small or too sluggish to cowl him. The statistics communicate for themselves, as Kelce is prime 5 all-time in almost each statistical class within the common season and postseason play.

However stats don’t inform the entire story. No one has extra enjoyable on and off the soccer subject than Kelce. And no person is extra clutch — in case you want any reminders, watch the walk-off touchdowns from 2021 vs. the Chargers and the Payments. The Chiefs rewarded Kelce with a raise this offseason, but he’s still dramatically outperforming his contract. At age 32, he exhibits no indicators of slowing down and might be in line for one in every of his finest seasons ever with out Tyreek Hill.

1. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes

This countdown may solely finish a method, with one of the best participant on the Chiefs or every other skilled American soccer workforce on the planet. The fortunes of this franchise, league and of Kansas Metropolis modified the day Patrick Mahomes was drafted. Not solely did Mahomes immediately turn into a league MVP as soon as he grew to become the starter, however he additionally adopted it up by main the Chiefs to their first Tremendous Bowl title in 50 years, then again to the doorstep in consecutive years since then. His accomplishments are off the charts, his model of play is enjoyable, inventive, and thrilling to observe, and he’s nonetheless getting higher in some parts of his recreation.

Off the sector, Mahomes has additionally executed almost all the things proper as nicely. He’s turn into a pillar of the neighborhood together with his 15 and the Mahomies Foundation. He’s turn into a sports activities mogul with quite a few endorsement alternatives and half possession of the Royals, Sporting KC, and — by way of his spouse Brittany — the Kansas Metropolis Nationwide Ladies’s Soccer League workforce. It seems that his $500 million 10-year contract was solely the start of the ties that bind him to Kansas Metropolis.

On the sector, 2021 wasn’t his finest season, with fluky interceptions, Cowl-2 issues, and an all-time meltdown within the second half of the AFC title recreation in opposition to the Bengals. You possibly can make certain that Patrick Mahomes will likely be out for revenge and to show all doubters improper. Don’t guess in opposition to essentially the most excellent participant on the planet, with a very good workforce and nice coach round him. It’s going to be a enjoyable yr.

[ad_2]

Source link