Chiefs Why 3 rookies could start for the Chiefs

**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.

06-19-2015, 09:44 AM	Topic Starter
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1764088	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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