Three players Chiefs will need to step up in 2020

Every NFL team has young players – or even veterans – they expect to improve, stepping forward from season to season. With a team like the Kansas City Chiefs – who brought back most of their World Championship squad – the ability to attract new talent tends to rest on the rookie class of the NFL Draft. This puts additional pressure on players already on the roster to take a step forward, helping to bridge the gap between the introduction of proven talent through free agency and untested talent into the game. draft.

The Chiefs have done well in growing talent within the organization – but this year it will be more critical than in more recent seasons. Without big signings from free agents – like Frank Clark, Tyrann Mathieu, Sammy Watkins or Anthony Hitchens in previous years – it will be more important for developing players to step up.

Let’s take a look at three players who are in a position to help pilot the ship in 2020 – and who will need to show a lot of growth to do so effectively.

Tanoh Kpassagnon | defensive end

Under the guidance of last season’s new coaches Brendan Daly and Steve Spagnuolo, Kpassagnon has taken a step forward – but it looks like he’s in a position to take another one this season.

Injuries played a partial role in Kpassagnon’s push onto the pitch, but he’s shown a ton of growth from previous seasons.

Filling in as a starting defensive wing – and in subsets, serving as the main defender in the defensive tackle – Kpassagnon saw plenty of time on the pitch. As a passer, most of his output always comes with a second effort on stunts – and the occasional high-end flash. He’s clearly learning to use his length, power, and first step – but the pass rush plan is still underway. As an inside runner, his speed is a clear disagreement – but he will likely be on the outside more than he was last season. He will have the chance to make more impact plays as a defensive end.

Early in his career, one of the biggest things that kept Kpassagnon off the field was his struggles with the race. A lack of leverage with which he could hold the advantage – and an inability to properly diagnose running games – really held him back. But he’s improved a lot, using his length to generate leverage and maintain his lead.

The biggest difference, however, comes from the movie theater; he was much faster at diagnosing rushed concepts. Against the run, his impact plays will have to be more frequent – but he’s going to get starting level reps, so he’s going to have the chance to make that happen.

Andrew Wylie | offensive guard

Wylie was also said to have been on that list last season – but changing jobs and suffering some injuries derailed what had been a hot start to his career as Chiefs.

Wylie’s best movie came in 2018 when he played the right keeper – and that’s where he will be to start 2020. Comparing his game at both positions, it’s almost night and day; on the right side he’s clearly more comfortable with his footwork and spacing – whether that’s just being to the right or playing next to Mitchell Schwartz instead of Eric Fisher. That’s not to say his film on the right is perfect; he’s always full of inconsistent techniques and gaps in the footwork. But he was much better than on the right.

Wylie’s play is similar to Laurent Duvernay-Tardif’s first seasons. There are some awesome plays as you move around the running game – or while picking up pass protection. Wylie’s lateral athleticism – and good power in his hands – allows him to run without being in a perfect position. He’s able to work in both zone and power schemes – and he has the physical ability to play with his head held high against any passer. Wylie just needs to keep her feet active, trying to stay balanced while working out of the line of scrimmage.

Getting back on the safe side – and getting another season to hone his technique – could help Wylie bounce back in 2020.

Ben niemann | linebacker

Many have mixed feelings about Niemann, but it’s obvious the bosses trust him – and try to get him to work on the pitch.

In 2019, Niemann was MIKE’s main linebacker replacement – and in passing situations he was the dime linebacker.

The results are mixed. Niemann made quality plays in the zone coverage – exhibiting a high IQ and a good zone feel – but there were also times when he was totally unable to stay with the receivers in the men’s coverage. Niemann will continue to have plenty of coverage reps – and as long as he’s in the Zone, his IQ will continue to shine. He’s got a quick trigger for going down on the race backs in flats – and has good overall spacing when working in shallow areas – but he’ll need to improve the coverage of the men.

Niemann doesn’t have the general physical traits to be good against running. This season, it has been widely reported that he is stronger and looks taller. This could be the reason he got more reps with basic defense. He’s not going to get much faster (or more explosive), so his plays behind the line of scrimmage will be minimal. But if he can play harder, he should be able to repel contact more effectively.

In order for Niemann to fill those two roles year round, the Chiefs will need him to do more impact plays. As WILL and Dime’s linebacker, he’ll need to be a more dynamic linebacker able to play in the passing game – and play from distance against the run.

The bottom line

The Chiefs will need young guys to step up this season; the problem is figuring out which players will get the opportunity on a stacked roster. Kpassagnon and Niemann both saw plenty of reps last season – and appear to be receiving promotions this season – putting them in the lead among players who need to show defensive improvement.

On offense, Wylie doesn’t play a sexy stance – and isn’t invited to make the most impactful plays – but as a starting right-wing goalie he could help solidify an inconsistent inside offensive line; he’s coming back to his “best” place, where he could build on his 2018 form.

To rehearse as Super Bowl champions, Chiefs don’t need these players to be better. But the team at placed his trust in them to take the next step – and help #RunItBack.