Chiefs: Unlikely heroes have been a huge reason for the success
The Kansas City Chiefs are having yet another great regular season, and in two weeks it will be wrapped up. Since Patrick Mahomes became the full-time starting quarterback, the Chiefs are 62-18, which, I don't have the numbers in front of me, but that has to be the best record since 2018. Oh, and the […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are having yet another great regular season, and in two weeks it will be wrapped up.
Since Patrick Mahomes became the full-time starting quarterback, the Chiefs are 62-18, which, I don't have the numbers in front of me, but that has to be the best record since 2018. Oh, and the Chiefs can still add two wins to that.
There is a reason they have had so much continued success. Yeah, sure, Mahomes is a huge reason, the biggest actually. But there is one other reason.
The Chiefs have been very good in the offseason, but not necessarily signing talent, but finding it in the draft.
In 2018, it was Mahomes, of course, in 2019 it was Mecole Hardman, in 2020 it was L'Jarius Sneed, in 2021 it was Nick Bolton, Creed Humphrey, and Trey Smith. This season, it has been nearly the entire rookie class that has made an impact.
That is why the success has continued every single year, but especially this year.
The rookie this year have played huge roles, bigger than expected roles, and will continue to do that in the playoffs.
Let's just start with the obvious. The Chiefs found Isiah Pacheco, the new starting running back, in the seventh round of the draft from Rutgers.
Then we have Joshua Williams, and Jaylen Watson, two defensive backs that have played a huge number of snaps going against some really good receivers on a week-to-week basis. Just those guys, Trent McDuffie, Bryan Cook, and Leo Chenal, alone made some huge plays on defense against the Seattle Seahawks.
Then we have maybe the best of all the rookies so far this year in George Karlaftis, who has been nothing short of amazing all season long. He ranks second among all rookies in pressures this season with 42, and his seven batted passes are the second-most among all defensive linemen (not just rookies).
Furious George has been insane this season, and doesn't get the credit he deserves for being a potential defensive rookie of the year.
The Chiefs have guys producing at every level on both sides of the ball, no matter the experience. But, the young guys are why they will continue to compete for years and years after this one.
The Chiefs are sixth in total rookie snaps this year with 3,240, per Kansas City Sports Network. They have the third most rookie snaps on defense with 2,639.
They are sixth in rookie snaps but have more wins than the teams above them. The Chiefs are playing their young guys and they are producing good things when getting playing time.
The rookies have been the unlikely heroes of the Chiefs' 2022 season.
Featured Image Via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
