2014 Record: 9-7
2015 Non Division Opponents: NFC North, AFC North, Houston, & Buffalo
2014 in review: Year two under Andy Reid saw the Chiefs take a small step back. They were still 7-3 after 10 games though, before a three game losing streak derailed their season. Their defense was excellent, ranking second in the league, but their offense was inconsistent. They also managed to go a complete season without a single touchdown reception by a wide receiver. Alex Smith threw 18 touchdown passes last year, and every one of them went to a Running Back or a Tight End.
2015 offseason: Kansas City wasn’t very active in the free agent market, but their one big move was Andy Reid reuniting with one of his former players, Jeremy Maclin. Maclin signed a five year, $55 million deal to leave the Eagles for the Chiefs.
2015 Draft: Marcus Peters was the first round pick of the Chiefs, and he is being thrown right into the fire in the secondary. The Chiefs received great news this week that Eric Berry is now cancer free, but he has to get back into football shape. Sean Smith is suspended for the first three games of the season as well, so Peters has a lot of pressure on him. Second round pick Mitch Morse will battle for an offensive line spot, but will likely be depth in year one.
Player on the hot seat: The pressure here falls on Maclin. He was signed to be the number 1 and he better produce because the Chiefs do not have a number two. The receivers behind Maclin are Jason Avant, second year ma Albert Wilson, Frankie Hammond, Junior Hemingway, and rookie Chris Conley. Maclin had a great season in Philadelphia last season but this is a different offense and he will be facing double teams all the time. The Kansas City faithful will not be happy if Maclin is simply average.
Players you want on your fantasy team: Jamaal Charles. If you can draft him you take him. Of course you need to be picking way in the top to do so, but he’s the Chief you want. Travis Kelce is the second best Chief and could be a top 5 fantasy option at tight end this season. Smith loves him and as mentioned above, the Chiefs don’t have a whole lot of offensive talent. Maclin is rosterable, but his numbers won’t be as good as last year. Draft any other Chief skill position player at your own risk.
Season Prediction: Andy Reid is an excellent coach and has done wonders with this franchise since he took it over. That being said, the talent simply isn’t there this season, and the Chiefs are going to struggle because of it. SFTB prediction: 6-10