The Arrowhead - Draft Recap & New Year

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A new season on the horizon as your Kansas City Chiefs brought in some fresh young talent. With only 5 draft picks this past season (a 2nd rounder, two 3rd rounders, a fourth and a 6th) the Chiefs had to be very precise in talent and make the right moves. With their 2nd round pick, the Chiefs managed to snag center Billy Price out of Ohio State. Mitch Morse's contract is expiring and the Chiefs remain uncertain about an extension so assume that Price is the back up plan at protecting the future the Chiefs believe to have in QB Patrick Mahomes.

Early in the 3rd round the Chiefs went WR, albeit reports are that they were unable to attain two WRs they had highly rated. DJ Chark and Simmie Cobbs Jr. were both assumed targets by the Chiefs but were unable to pull the trigger on either of them. With this in mind the Chiefs settled on another Buckeye, WR Parris Campbell the speedster who stands at about 6'0" - 6'1". Chris Conley is coming up on needing a contract extension and last year the Chiefs seemed to run out of reliable weapons due to injuries down the stretch. Campbell adds much needed depth and is a young WR to grow with franchise QB Patrick Mahomes.

To close the 3rd round the Chiefs stayed on the offensive side of the ball, taking OT Braden Smith out of Auburn. The play along the offensive line last year was abysmal, and as such tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz switched places, with Schwartz now playing at LT and Fisher at RT. But the message the Chiefs are sending is clear, the OTs need to play better and Smith will be able to compete for a starting role early.

In the 4th round the Chiefs addressed their veteran defense, getting some youth along the front 7 to grow behind Cliff Avril, the Seattle proclaimed Super Bowl MVP of last year. Austin Bryant out of Clemson will be able to sit for a year while learning and growing, expected to be worked in on a rotational basis with Avril and Bailey.

To close the draft for the Chiefs, they revisited the WR position in the 6th round and found what they believe to be quite the gem and their replacement of Chark and Cobbs. Jester Weah out of PITT, who stands at 6'3", brings both size and speed to this WR corps. Expect Weah and Campbell to compete heavily and both be worked in heavily to gain reps and hasten development.

Mahomes will have to count on these young WRs to make plays down the stretch as they face a far more challenging schedule coming off a disappointing season. The questions at QB and the unwillingness to start Mahomes until midseason hindered the Chiefs who seemed to spark to life late under their rookie QB's lead. Now, they'll ask Mahomes to avoid a sophomore slump and lead them into the season with that same intensity. A new OC found in Titans RB coach Sylvester Croom joins the team to take the pressure off Mahomes while Bills DB coach Gill Byrd will be tasked of moving this defense into a 4-3 for the season. The future is bright in Kansas City and their hopes for the playoffs this year ride on the shoulders of Patrick Mahomes who has shown that he has what it takes to lead this team to victory. Circle weeks 4, 5, 6, 11 & 12 as major tests for this young team. Weeks 4-6 see a road tour for the Chiefs, starting in LA and moving to the Super Bowl Champs of Seattle before concluding in Nashville in week 6. Weeks 11 & 12 see back to back difficulties as the Chiefs host a young Cleveland team and then journey to Denver to play the Broncos for the 2nd time in 4 weeks.

As always, follow @PX1KC throughout the season for any and all breaking news and check your local listings for all Chiefs games.

Welcome back to the CHIEFDOM!
 
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