Offensive and defensive players we’re watching at Chiefs minicamp
3 min read
It’s just one of the subjects covered in this week’s Arrowhead Pride Editors Show podcast.
On Tuesday’s edition of the Arrowhead Pride Editors Show podcast, Pete Sweeney and John Dixon discussed the most recent Kansas City Chiefs news and highlighted the most intriguing things we heard from players and coaches last week — before finishing the show with our picks for the players we’re most interested in watching when the Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp opens next week.
Here are our picks:
Offense
John: I’m watching Noah Gray. Pundits outside of Kansas City always bring this up: the Chiefs have never really had a backup for Travis Kelce — that is, someone who plays the position in a way similar to the way Kelce does. That matters if he’s injured — and will also matter whenever he decides to step away from the game. Gray could be a player to fill that role, so I’m very interested to see what he’s able to do — through minicamp, training camp and the preseason. Honorable mention: Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Pete: My pick here is Antonio Callaway. Wide receiver has become a much more interesting position to watch this coming training camp thanks to the offseason departure of Sammy Watkins to the Baltimore Ravens. Whoever wins the No. 2 position behind Tyreek Hill is a battle to watch, but going deeper, the No. 6 position may be the most competitive. I think — even now — we know 1-5 will be Hill, followed by an order to be determined of Mecole Hardman, rookie fifth-rounder Cornell Powell, Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson. The sixth spot can go in about 10 different ways. I am interested in seeing what Callaway — who general manager Brett Veach has mentioned among the returners — can do to revamp and reinvent his career. Honorable mention: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Kyle Long and Lucas Niang
Defense
John: I’m very interested to see what Deandre Baker can do. Many of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s decisions about the Kansas City secondary in 2021 will largely be based on what he sees in the two former first-round cornerbacks the Chiefs have acquired: Baker and Mike Hughes. The Chiefs’ coaches said they liked what they saw from Baker in practice at the end of last season — and in his limited game action, he looked good. If Baker can play at a reasonably high level, it’s not likely to matter that the Chiefs allowed Bashaud Breeland to walk. Honorable mention: Tim Ward
Pete: I probably share my pick with many of you reading right now. I want to watch Jarran Reed and Chris Jones. The other day, Spagnuolo described how Jones is working on the mental part of playing more along the EDGE. Spagnuolo also mentioned that the Chiefs need to gain something from putting him outside considering they would be losing him inside, where he is excellent. We will have an opportunity to witness that day-to-day development in St. Joseph. I also think Jones and Reed will provide quite a challenge to the offensive linemen in one-on-ones, drills that will be critical to the Chiefs figuring out the best three from center to right tackle. Honorable mention: Willie Gay Jr.
How to listen to Arrowhead Pride podcasts
Arrowhead Pride podcasts are available on Amazon Alexa, Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher. Please rate and review, as this helps us grow AP Radio to reach more Chiefs fans all over the world!
Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
Who are you most interested in seeing at training camp in St. Joseph? Why?
It’s just one of the subjects covered in this week’s Arrowhead Pride Editors Show podcast.
On Tuesday’s edition of the Arrowhead Pride Editors Show podcast, Pete Sweeney and John Dixon discussed the most recent Kansas City Chiefs news and highlighted the most intriguing things we heard from players and coaches last week — before finishing the show with our picks for the players we’re most interested in watching when the Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp opens next week.
Here are our picks:
Offense
John: I’m watching Noah Gray. Pundits outside of Kansas City always bring this up: the Chiefs have never really had a backup for Travis Kelce — that is, someone who plays the position in a way similar to the way Kelce does. That matters if he’s injured — and will also matter whenever he decides to step away from the game. Gray could be a player to fill that role, so I’m very interested to see what he’s able to do — through minicamp, training camp and the preseason. Honorable mention: Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Pete: My pick here is Antonio Callaway. Wide receiver has become a much more interesting position to watch this coming training camp thanks to the offseason departure of Sammy Watkins to the Baltimore Ravens. Whoever wins the No. 2 position behind Tyreek Hill is a battle to watch, but going deeper, the No. 6 position may be the most competitive. I think — even now — we know 1-5 will be Hill, followed by an order to be determined of Mecole Hardman, rookie fifth-rounder Cornell Powell, Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson. The sixth spot can go in about 10 different ways. I am interested in seeing what Callaway — who general manager Brett Veach has mentioned among the returners — can do to revamp and reinvent his career. Honorable mention: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Kyle Long and Lucas Niang
Defense
John: I’m very interested to see what Deandre Baker can do. Many of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s decisions about the Kansas City secondary in 2021 will largely be based on what he sees in the two former first-round cornerbacks the Chiefs have acquired: Baker and Mike Hughes. The Chiefs’ coaches said they liked what they saw from Baker in practice at the end of last season — and in his limited game action, he looked good. If Baker can play at a reasonably high level, it’s not likely to matter that the Chiefs allowed Bashaud Breeland to walk. Honorable mention: Tim Ward
Pete: I probably share my pick with many of you reading right now. I want to watch Jarran Reed and Chris Jones. The other day, Spagnuolo described how Jones is working on the mental part of playing more along the EDGE. Spagnuolo also mentioned that the Chiefs need to gain something from putting him outside considering they would be losing him inside, where he is excellent. We will have an opportunity to witness that day-to-day development in St. Joseph. I also think Jones and Reed will provide quite a challenge to the offensive linemen in one-on-ones, drills that will be critical to the Chiefs figuring out the best three from center to right tackle. Honorable mention: Willie Gay Jr.
How to listen to Arrowhead Pride podcasts
Arrowhead Pride podcasts are available on Amazon Alexa, Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher. Please rate and review, as this helps us grow AP Radio to reach more Chiefs fans all over the world!
Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
Who are you most interested in seeing at training camp in St. Joseph? Why?
