7 Kansas City Chiefs veterans that fans should be eager to watch perform during OTAs
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to begin their first group of three Organized Team Activities (OTAs) sessions during the next three weeks. Teams are still unable to wear full pads or participate in live contact periods during OTAs, but the addition of 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills moves the offseason workouts that much closer to […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to begin their first group of three Organized Team Activities (OTAs) sessions during the next three weeks.
Teams are still unable to wear full pads or participate in live contact periods during OTAs, but the addition of 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills moves the offseason workouts that much closer to real football. Before you know it, training camp will have arrived, along with the preseason and then the 2024 NFL season will be upon us.
While Chiefs Kingdom will be excited to see some of their newest players hit the practice fields in Kansas City for the first time, progress shown by several veteran players could make all the difference for the team in 2024.
WR Justyn Ross
With all of the commotion surrounding the wide receiver position this offseason, Ross will be a fascinating player to follow during the 2024 NFL offseason. Ross has been an offseason darling for a few seasons running now, only to lay a practical goose egg during the 2023 NFL season. Part of that had to due to availability (off-field/suspension), but he remains loaded with potential. Should he emerge in his third season with Kansas City, he could completely reshape the narrative surrounding the wide receiver position.
RB Keaontay Ingram
A potential dark horse candidate in the No. 3 running back competition? Brett Veach made it a point to emphasize that they really like Ingram, who they picked up on the practice squad late last season. He hasn't produced much during his NFL career to this point, but he was a stud during his final season at USC. Where he falls in the pecking order could reveal how the Chiefs view the position group behind Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Chiefs fans were disappointed by Felix Anudike-Uzomah's rookie campaign, but you can't always expect a 21-year-old kid fresh out of college to be an instant-impact player. He's not sitting on his hands this offseason and knows the expectations as a former first-round draft pick. Fans should be quite intrigued by the work that he's putting in with Chiefs legend Tamba Hali and George Karlaftis this offseason.
DE BJ Thompson
Whereas Anudike-Uzomah wasn't expected to be a project, BJ Thompson was a project from the get-go. He was underweight and needing an NFL nutrition and weight regiment, but managed to stick on the 53-man roster all of last season. You don't do that if you don't have a certain level of natural talent. He should be in a better situation when it comes to contributing during the 2024 NFL season and OTAs are his first chance to show it.
S Bryan Cook
Cook suffered a gruesome ankle injury during Week 13's game against the Green Bay Packers. It turned out to be a season-ending injury, but there is hope that it's only a temporary setback for one of the more underrated additions from Brett Veach's epic 2022 NFL draft class. He'll get a chance to get back on the practice field during OTAs and work toward regaining a starting role opposite Justin Reid at the safety position.
CB Nazeeh Johnson
Another player returning from injury, Johnson tore his ACL in the indoor training facility at Missouri Western State University during last year's training camp. He was tracking to start opposite Trent McDuffie and L'Jarius Sneed prior to his injury, earning repetitions in practice with the first team nickel defense as an outside cornerback. Should he be fully recovered from his injury, he could help offset the the loss of Sneed this offseason.
DT Neil Farrell Jr.
The Chiefs acquired Farrell in trade with the Las Vegas Raiders last season only to bench him for the vast majority of the 2023 NFL season. Yes, the offseason is "best shape of my life" season, but Farrell has been posting some intriguing updates on his social media lately.
If he could contribute this season, it'd be a big win for Kansas City. Proving that he's capable and earning the trust of the coaching staff will start in OTAs for No. 92.
Chiefs’ No. 3 running back battle is beginning to take shape with latest roster move
The Kansas City Chiefs turned up the heat in the running back room with their latest roster move ahead of OTAs.
