Can the Chiefs compete for a playoff spot with a retooled roster that no longer has Alex Smith—a legitimate MVP candidate—at the controls on offense?

 

Projected Starters

 

Offense

QB: Patrick Mahomes

RB: Kareem Hunt
WR: Sammy Watkins
WR: Tyreek Hill
WR: Chris Conley
TE: Travis Kelce
LT: Eric Fisher
LG: Parker Ehinger
C: Mitch Morse
RG: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
RT: Mitchell Schwartz

 

Defense

DE: Chris Jones
DT: Derrick Nnadi
DE: Allen Bailey
OLB: Justin Houston
ILB: Anthony Hitchens

ILB: Reggie Ragland
OLB: Dee Ford
CB: Kendall Fuller
CB: David Amerson
S: Eric Berry
S: Robert Golden

 

Roster Notes/Thoughts

 

Notable depth

QB Chad Henne, RB Spencer Ware, RB Damien Williams, RB Charcandrick West, FB Anthony Sherman, WR Demarcus Robinson, WR De’Anthony Thomas, WR Jehu Chesson, TE Demetrius Harris, TE Tim Wright, OT Cameron Erving, OT/G Bryan Witzmann, DT Xavier Williams, OLB Tanoh Kpassagnon, OLB Breeland Speaks, ILB Dorian O’Daniel, CB Steven Nelson, CB Keith Reaser, S Daniel Sorensen, S Armani Watts, S Leon McQuay III

 

Biggest strength: Wide receiver

Could the Chiefs have the fastest group of receivers in NFL history? I think they might, as Tyreek Hill has shown his game-breaking speed on numerous occasions, Sammy Watkins is an elite deep threat, and Chris Conley ran a 4.35 40-yard dash a few years ago. Hill and Watkins in particular will be an absolute terror for opposing defenses, especially with strong-armed Patrick Mahomes under center.

 

Biggest weakness: Interior offensive line

Kansas City has a quality tackle combination with Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, but the three linemen between them are probably average at best. The offense won’t be able to reach their high expectations if running lanes are tough to come by for Kareem Hunt and Patrick Mahomes feels consistent pressure up the middle in his first year as the starter.

 

Position battle to watch: Safety

Eric Berry is obviously going to be starting at one safety spot, but next to him, it should be a wide-open competition between Robert Golden, Daniel Sorensen, Leon McQuay III, and rookie Armani Watts. I thought Watts was a good value for the Chiefs on Day 3, but he might need some time before becoming a full-time player; instead former Steeler Robert Golden—who played well when given the opportunity to start for Pittsburgh—could be the best fit with Berry.

 

Early over/under: 7.5 wins (via Odds Shark)

Over. I think Andy Reid might have made a mistake by trading Alex Smith, but last year’s tenth-overall pick has all the pieces around him to be successful immediately with Hunt, Watkins, Hill, and Travis Kelce; on paper, they have a chance to be the most explosive offense in the league. Defensively, the Chiefs should be much better up the middle after signing Anthony Hitchens, and they are banking on potential with first- and second-year players like Tanoh Kpassagnon, Derrick Nnadi, and Breeland Speaks.