Chiefs Why 3 rookies could start for the Chiefs - Page 2

**BossChief** · 06-19-2015, 09:44 AM

http://espn.go.com/blog/kansas-city-...id/12362/12362

NFL Nation reporter Adam Teicher assesses which rookies on the Chiefs could earn a starting berth this season.

Why Marcus Peters could start: The Chiefs are well-stocked at cornerback so they don’t need to rush Peters, their first-round draft pick, into the lineup. In Sean Smith, Phillip Gaines, Jamell Fleming and Marcus Cooper, the Chiefs have four players who started at least one game for them at corner last season. There could still be ample opportunity for Peters to earn significant playing time or a starting spot. Smith faces a possible NFL suspension for a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy after pleading guilty to a DUI in Kansas City. If Smith is out for the first couple of games, his absence leaves a huge gap that Peters could fill. Beyond that, six different players started at least one game at cornerback for the Chiefs last season so there’s always a need. Peters missed most of offseason practice because his college academic term at Washington hadn’t concluded. He also was thrown off his team before his final collegiate season had ended because of a confrontation with an assistant coach. Peters might need more time to develop than most first-round draft picks.

Second-round pick Mitch Morse could find a home at center or guard sooner rather than later. Alex Menendez/Getty Images
Why Mitch Morse could start: As with cornerback and Peters, the Chiefs have enough bodies on their offensive line that they don’t have to rush Morse into their lineup before he’s ready. But unlike at cornerback, the Chiefs don’t have a lot of established offensive linemen, so Morse will be given an opportunity to start at either center or right guard. Morse, a second-round draft pick, started at center and tackle at various times in college at Missouri, but guard could be his best position in the NFL. Eventually, if not sooner, he will be a starter somewhere along Kansas City's line and if he isn’t an immediate starter, Morse could be the first player off the bench at either center or guard. The presence of Morse allows the Chiefs to investigate possible trades for one or more of their veteran offensive linemen. Jeff Allen, who can play guard or right tackle, might not win a starting job for the Chiefs but could be a valuable player for another team looking for line help.

Why Chris Conley could start: The Chiefs had by most statistical measures the worst group of wide receivers in the NFL last season. The Chiefs failed to get a single touchdown catch from a wide receiver last season. So any receiver with potential will get a long look, and the Chiefs gave a lot of work to Conley, a third-round pick from Georgia, in offseason practice. Conley ran a 4.35 40 at the combine, so he’s fast enough to be a big-play threat. He not only can get open deep but showed the ability to run after the catch in his month of practice with the Chiefs. Kansas City signed veteran Jeremy Maclin to be its top wide receiver and Conley was playing his position during the offseason. Conley took Maclin’s spot with the starting lineup for one day when the veteran was out with an injury. He’ll have to learn the other outside receiving position if he’s to get significant playing time as a rookie. That spot is occupied by Albert Wilson, but Conley could also make a claim for that position. In addition, the Chiefs plan to look at Conley as a kickoff returner during training camp and the preseason. That’s another spot where he could make an impact.

Sandy Vagina · 06-19-2015, 10:05 AM

It's admittedly a long-shot, but how about Ramik Wilson starting next to DJ instead of Mauga?

**BossChief** · 06-19-2015, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Depends on how they view him and if Kush is any good. Hudson didn't start his first year.....right? They kept him at center behind Weigmann IIRC.

Hudson backed up all 3 interior spots as a rookie and started a couple games at left guard when Lilja got hurt iirc.

Then he started his second year at center and got hurt 3 games in.

**BossChief** · 06-19-2015, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stop, Chiefs

Might be a special season.

The odds of a 1st, 2nd AND 3rd round pick all working out immediately are slim, though.

These aren't run of the mill guys, though.

I don't know much about Morse, but Peters and Conley could be special.

Saccopoo · 06-19-2015, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Depends on how they view him and if Kush is any good. Hudson didn't start his first year.....right? They kept him at center behind Weigmann IIRC.

They will do the same with Morse and Jeff Allen this season.

If Allen isn't your starter at RG, I'm going to be massively shocked. However, he's a URFA after this season and will likely get an Asamoah level contract from someone. Morse will be brought up to NFL speed and most likely be your 2016 starter at RG.

phisherman · 06-19-2015, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mizzou_8541

Sorry for the probably dumb question, but I don't understand the bolded parts. Did four players start at corner or six? If six, who were the other two?

My assumption is that 6 different players started at CB for the Chiefs last year, and 2 of them are no longer on the Chiefs roster, or are no longer listed as CBs on the depth chart.

RunKC · 06-19-2015, 10:15 AM

Chris Conley is gonna show everyone that it was incredibly stupid to pass on him until round 3.
Only thing that could hold him back is Andy like he did with Kelce early last year.

Peters will struggle. CB is one of the hardest positions in sports especially with the new rules.
I think it's incredibly rare to see a rookie CB ball out early.

Saccopoo · 06-19-2015, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

These aren't run of the mill guys, though.

I don't know much about Morse, but Peters and Conley could be special.

Dorsey has stated that he felt Peters was the best cover corner in the last four drafts. Dude is absolutely shutdown when he's on. There is a lot of people who felt he was the best player on the UW team - a team that had four guys go in the first 44 picks of the 2015 NFL Draft. If he can keep his head on straight, they flat out stole him.

Conley has all the potential in the world. I wonder a bit why he didn't dominate more at the collegiate level, but it sounds like he was the consummate teammate and was most likely doing the little things that kept his stats down a bit. System, QB, etc. With his size and combine numbers and intelligence, you wonder why he wasn't an automatic first rounder.

All Morse has to be is 5% better than Jeff Allen in 2016. If he's that, it's a solid pick and he should play a long time with this team.

raybec 4 · 06-19-2015, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Ron Parker and ....hmmmm

Owens

Hammock Parties · 06-19-2015, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

These aren't run of the mill guys, though.

Homer tripe.

The odds of a third round WR aren't great, especially with our QB.

Mizzou_8541 · 06-19-2015, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raybec 4

Owens

Ah, that's it. Thank you.

Hammock Parties · 06-19-2015, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

If Allen isn't your starter at RG, I'm going to be massively shocked. However, he's a URFA after this season and will likely get an Asamoah level contract from someone.

He's hot garbage. He'll sign with someone else as a backup. He should not be starting in this league...unless you are the Chiefs and you don't care.

RunKC · 06-19-2015, 10:26 AM

Conley didn't get many receptions at Georgia. A lot of that was because they had Todd Gurley and focused mostly on him.

Last year, Georgia's QB was basically a first year starter. They still didn't throw it that often as Conley was the leadig receiver in the last 2 years.

Here's something to ponder: Conley only had 36 receptions, but had 17 yards avg per catch. Amari Cooper had 124 receptions.

Conley had 8 TD's and 650 ish yards last year on 36 catches. Imagine what his stats would be had he been more involved and had 3X as many catches like Cooper did.

He would have been a first rd pick

**Bob Dole** · 06-19-2015, 10:41 AM

You know Smith is going to get suspended. There is apparently some NFL rule that KC can never start a season with their real starters in the game.

Mr. Laz · 06-19-2015, 10:44 AM

Anyone that watches Conley pluck the ball out of the air should hopes he starts.

Size,speed,hands,smarts ...

If he is our DGB then our offense should take a huge leap forward.

Maclin,Conley,Wilson,DaT could be our best WR group in decades.

yes, Conley gives me wood. So!

ILChief · 06-19-2015, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stop, Chiefs

He's hot garbage. He'll sign with someone else as a backup. He should not be starting in this league...unless you are the Chiefs and you don't care.

Yeah, the Chiefs don't care

06-19-2015, 09:44 AM
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1914088	Why 3 rookies could start for the Chiefs http://espn.go.com/blog/kansas-city-...id/12362/12362 NFL Nation reporter Adam Teicher assesses which rookies on the Chiefs could earn a starting berth this season. Why Marcus Peters could start: The Chiefs are well-stocked at cornerback so they don’t need to rush Peters, their first-round draft pick, into the lineup. In Sean Smith, Phillip Gaines, Jamell Fleming and Marcus Cooper, the Chiefs have four players who started at least one game for them at corner last season. There could still be ample opportunity for Peters to earn significant playing time or a starting spot. Smith faces a possible NFL suspension for a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy after pleading guilty to a DUI in Kansas City. If Smith is out for the first couple of games, his absence leaves a huge gap that Peters could fill. Beyond that, six different players started at least one game at cornerback for the Chiefs last season so there’s always a need. Peters missed most of offseason practice because his college academic term at Washington hadn’t concluded. He also was thrown off his team before his final collegiate season had ended because of a confrontation with an assistant coach. Peters might need more time to develop than most first-round draft picks. Second-round pick Mitch Morse could find a home at center or guard sooner rather than later. Alex Menendez/Getty Images Why Mitch Morse could start: As with cornerback and Peters, the Chiefs have enough bodies on their offensive line that they don’t have to rush Morse into their lineup before he’s ready. But unlike at cornerback, the Chiefs don’t have a lot of established offensive linemen, so Morse will be given an opportunity to start at either center or right guard. Morse, a second-round draft pick, started at center and tackle at various times in college at Missouri, but guard could be his best position in the NFL. Eventually, if not sooner, he will be a starter somewhere along Kansas City's line and if he isn’t an immediate starter, Morse could be the first player off the bench at either center or guard. The presence of Morse allows the Chiefs to investigate possible trades for one or more of their veteran offensive linemen. Jeff Allen, who can play guard or right tackle, might not win a starting job for the Chiefs but could be a valuable player for another team looking for line help. Why Chris Conley could start: The Chiefs had by most statistical measures the worst group of wide receivers in the NFL last season. The Chiefs failed to get a single touchdown catch from a wide receiver last season. So any receiver with potential will get a long look, and the Chiefs gave a lot of work to Conley, a third-round pick from Georgia, in offseason practice. Conley ran a 4.35 40 at the combine, so he’s fast enough to be a big-play threat. He not only can get open deep but showed the ability to run after the catch in his month of practice with the Chiefs. Kansas City signed veteran Jeremy Maclin to be its top wide receiver and Conley was playing his position during the offseason. Conley took Maclin’s spot with the starting lineup for one day when the veteran was out with an injury. He’ll have to learn the other outside receiving position if he’s to get significant playing time as a rookie. That spot is occupied by Albert Wilson, but Conley could also make a claim for that position. In addition, the Chiefs plan to look at Conley as a kickoff returner during training camp and the preseason. That’s another spot where he could make an impact.
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06-19-2015, 10:15 AM	#21
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $2289611	Chris Conley is gonna show everyone that it was incredibly stupid to pass on him until round 3. Only thing that could hold him back is Andy like he did with Kelce early last year. Peters will struggle. CB is one of the hardest positions in sports especially with the new rules. I think it's incredibly rare to see a rookie CB ball out early. __________________ Mike Greenberg@Espngreeny I can’t fathom what it must be like to be a fan of the #Chiefs. Adopt a Chief: Noah Gray
Posts: 45,899

06-19-2015, 10:26 AM	#27
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $2289611	Conley didn't get many receptions at Georgia. A lot of that was because they had Todd Gurley and focused mostly on him. Last year, Georgia's QB was basically a first year starter. They still didn't throw it that often as Conley was the leadig receiver in the last 2 years. Here's something to ponder: Conley only had 36 receptions, but had 17 yards avg per catch. Amari Cooper had 124 receptions. Conley had 8 TD's and 650 ish yards last year on 36 catches. Imagine what his stats would be had he been more involved and had 3X as many catches like Cooper did. He would have been a first rd pick __________________ Mike Greenberg@Espngreeny I can’t fathom what it must be like to be a fan of the #Chiefs. Adopt a Chief: Noah Gray
Posts: 45,899

06-19-2015, 10:41 AM	#28
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $2624497	You know Smith is going to get suspended. There is apparently some NFL rule that KC can never start a season with their real starters in the game.
Posts: 48,519

06-19-2015, 10:44 AM	#29
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Anyone that watches Conley pluck the ball out of the air should hopes he starts. Size,speed,hands,smarts ... If he is our DGB then our offense should take a huge leap forward. Maclin,Conley,Wilson,DaT could be our best WR group in decades. yes, Conley gives me wood. So! __________________
Posts: 95,626