Between now and the end of August, TGS will offer up a quick snapshot of every NFL team heading into the 2016 regular season. Today, the Kansas City Chiefs.
2015 in a nutshell: Despite starting 1-5 and losing star running back Jamaal Charles to a season-ending injury, the Chiefs rally to win 11 games. But without both Charles and top defender Justin Houston, they lose a close divisional playoff game to the New England Patriots.
Why 2016 could be different: Charles is back, and they hope to get Houston back early in the season.
Major additions: Status quo, aside from the addition of veteran right tackle Mitchel Schwartz.
Major losses: Starting cornerback Sean Smith is off to the division rival Oakland Raiders, and Schwartz is replacing the departing Donald Stephenson at right tackle.
Breakout watch: They’ll look for someone to fill Smith’s shoes at corner, starting with Phillip Gaines, who missed the majority of his second NFL season due to a torn ACL. The 2014 third-round pick will have a chance to excel opposite 2015 first-rounder Marcus Peters.
Position to watch: Charles is indeed back, but he’s joined by Spencer Ware (who averaged 5.6 yards per attempt last season) and Charcandrick West (who was solid in nine starts after Charles went down last season). So yeah, it’s a crowded backfield in KC.
Prediction: It’ll be tough in a division with the improved Raiders and the defending champion Broncos, but I think this team has the talent to get back to the playoffs.
