NFL Team Reviews: Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs were close to another Super Bowl appearance that slipped through their fingers. This offseason was met with a massive trade that forced the team to re-tool to maintain the same success they have had over the last four years.

Improvements: Defensive Line

The improvements on the Chiefs’ defensive line did not make a splash, but it was one of the most considerable improvements on the team. The Chiefs were able to re-sign defensive tackle Derek Nnadi and restructure defensive end Frank Clark’s contract. Even though the team didn’t add anyone in free agency, drafting George Karlaftis with the 30th pick should be a big boost.

(ICYMI) Chiefs impressed with rookie DE George Karlaftis’ energy at OTAs: “He goes 100 miles an hour”https://t.co/2VtAHHYZdI pic.twitter.com/exKowNpbzt

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 1, 2022

Many draft experts hold Karlaftis in high regard, ranking him higher than 30th on their personal big boards. In college at Purdue, he totaled 14 sacks in his 26 games. The Chiefs had the fourth-lowest total sacks last season with just 28, so any improvement on that is excellent.

Stayed the same: Secondary

Even though the Chiefs secondary lost three key players in Tyrann Mathieu, Daniel Sorensen, and Charvarious Ward, the team was able to retool. Both Mathieu and Sorensen are over 30 years old entering the 2022 season. Despite their leadership on the field, the Chiefs let them walk and signed Justin Reid to fill the void. Reid is a hybrid safety who struggled last season, PFF giving him a 50.8 rating. On the other hand, he was on the Houston Texans, and his stats could have been a product of his environment.

With the 21st pick in the draft, the Chiefs selected Trent McDuffie as the replacement for Ward, who left in free agency. McDuffie is another highly thought of prospect who fell into the Chiefs’ lap after they traded a third and fourth-round pick to get him.

Got worse: Wide receiver

After contract negotiations with Tyrek Hill fell apart, the Chiefs needed to trade away their All-Pro wide receiver. Even though the Chiefs got a massive trade package from the Miami Dolphins for Hill, losing one of your best players is never a positive. Hill was one of Patrick Mahomes’ favorite targets over the last four years, so playing without him could take some time to adjust.

The Chiefs have tried to supplement his production by signing free agents JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. They also already have Mecole Hardman on the roster, who can play a similar role as Hill due to Hardman’s speed.

Grade: C+

The Chiefs are still one of the best rosters in the NFL, but the loss of Hill will be a massive casualty. The overall roster may have gotten better after his departure, but with some unproven talen, who are on a new team. The Chiefs should fully expect to still be in the running for another Super Bowl appearance, despite what seems like an underwhelming offseason.