Chiefs Training Camp Observations Day 5: Jawaan Taylor vs. Jaylon Moore, another QB standing out over Gardner Minshew
The Kansas City Chiefs held Day 5 of training camp practices at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Sunday, July 27. This was the first padded practice of training camp thus far, which marked an uptick in physicality and competitiveness across the entire team. The team started the day with positive injury news, as […]
The Kansas City Chiefs held Day 5 of training camp practices at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Sunday, July 27.
This was the first padded practice of training camp thus far, which marked an uptick in physicality and competitiveness across the entire team. The team started the day with positive injury news, as a pair of players officially passed their conditioning test and returned to training camp practice after being placed on the Active/PUP list.
Below you'll find observations from our very own Nick Roesch based on what he saw during practice on Thursday.
Chiefs RT Jawaan Taylor's return prompts new battle with Jaylon Moore
After spending the first four training camp practices working on the sidelines, Taylor put the pads on and joined his teammates on the field. His reps were limited, but they notably all came with the first-team offense.
Jaylon Moore, who has taken all of the snaps at RT with the starting offensive line, rotated with Taylor. Following practice, coach Andy Reid said it was more about getting Taylor back in the swing of things rather than a full blown competition between Taylor and Moore.
"Yeah, we're just — we're getting him back in the swing," Reid said of Taylor. "He hadn't done anything, so. But they're all — all three are kind of competing in there."
Once Taylor gets a few practices under his belt, it will be interesting to see if he resumes his role as the starter. If he and Moore are still splitting snaps with the first-team offense this time next week, it will be safe to say that they are battling it out for the starting job.
Bailey Zappe outshone Chiefs backup QB Gardner Minshew
Of the three practices that I have attended this past week, Zappe has looked like the second best QB on the field. There have been instances where Minshew was clearly not on the same page as his WRs, and he has flat out missed several throws.
A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman wrote about the possibility of the Chiefs hanging onto three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster after losing Zappe on the practice squad last season.
Keep in mind that Minshew is new to the team and is still learning a complicated offense, but he's going to need to show progression through camp if he's going to be the No. 2 QB. Zappe has been solid with the third-team offense, and made one of the best throws of Sunday's practice when he hit TE Robert Tonyan over the shoulder down the sideline.
Theory on Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie's role proven accurate on the first day of padded practices
The coaching staff has sent some mixed signals on his role, but there's little denying that McDuffie's the team's best option at the slot corner position. Chamarri Conner has taken most of the reps as the slot CB up to this point, but has had numerous struggles.
McDuffie took over the role today, which could be an indicator moving forward. It's even more notable that the Chiefs aren't waiting for Kristian Fulton to return before sliding McDuffie into the slot. It could also signal that Fulton's return is close, as he continues to work to the side.
The Chiefs might be forced to keep seven receivers, excluding Rashee Rice
A crowded WR room could mean that K.C. keeps seven on the roster instead of the usual six. Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Hollywood Brown are obvious locks, and rookie Jalen Royals is pretty close to one.
I recently labeled JuJu Smith-Schuster as a veteran who is in the most danger of being cut, but he has consistently worked with the first-team offense and has looked pretty spry.
Then there's Tyquan Thornton, who has also gotten a lot of reps with the starters and has made some highlight reel catches. He is also establishing himself as the gunner on special teams, which is an underrated, but important role.
Finally, we have Nikko Remigio, who special teams coordinator Dave Toub called 'far and above everybody else' in regards to being the kickoff return specialist. When you factor in a likely suspension incoming for Rice, I think all seven of the aforementioned WRs make the 53-man roster. Keep in mind that when Rice does get suspended, he won't be counted towards the 53 until he returns.
Kansas City Chiefs avoid disaster after injury scare with key rookie during first padded training camp practice
The Kansas City Chiefs lucked out with one of their rookie draft picks on Sunday.
