There are 5 video games within the books — with 12 extra to go. The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are taking their bye week in Week 6, so it’s time to dish out some midseason awards.
The Arrowhead Delight writing employees members every had one vote for our seven midseason awards. There are 10 contributors voting, so there might be 10 votes tallied for every award. On this put up, we’ll reveal our most improved participant up to now of the season.
Photograph by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photos
VOTING: DT Turk Wharton (4), CB Jaylen Watson (3), LB Leo Chenal (1), DB Chamarri Conner (1), WR Rashee Rice (1)
Defensive sort out Tershawn Wharton had a lot driving on the 2022 season. The Missouri S&T product had already completed the unthinkable by lasting two full seasons on an NFL roster after signing with Kansas Metropolis following the 2020 draft.
Wharton had made an excellent displaying as a rotational participant via two seasons, and he had performed greater than half the defensive snaps in three of the Chiefs’ first 4 video games in his third marketing campaign. At instances, he even stored former third-round choice Khalen Saunders on the game-day inactive record by outplaying his extra hyped peer. Restricted free company awaited following the season, and a robust third yr would put the small college gem doubtlessly in line for a profitable second-round tender.
In Week 5, nevertheless, issues went horribly mistaken. On the October 10 version of “Monday Night time Soccer,” Wharton suffered a torn ACL that sidelined him for the remainder of the yr. He would return to Kansas Metropolis on a minimal wage deal for 2023 and play each sport of his third season.
For this season, the Chiefs introduced Wharton again as their four-year qualifier, permitting the defensive sort out to earn a minimal wage with reasonable additional funds paid exterior the wage cap. Anticipate this to be the final yr his companies come low-cost.
In a yr the place groups are promoting out to offer additional consideration to star defensive sort out Chris Jones, Wharton is greater than making the most of favorable matchups. By means of 5 video games, Wharton has recorded 1.5 sacks — on 9 pressures.
His enchancment was obvious on Monday evening towards the New Orleans Saints — once more in a showcase alternative simply over two years from his devasting damage and paradoxically towards the identical quarterback who suited up for the Las Vegas Raiders that evening. On a vital third down from midfield within the third quarter, Wharton dropped quarterback Derek Carr for an eight-yard loss. It was the one sack recorded on the veteran all evening.
Wharton is second on the workforce behind Jones with 1.5 sacks and 9 pressures. All the time a strong professional, he seems to have taken the step that his knee damage probably stole from him two years in the past.
Appreciation of Wharton requires the attention check. He’s constantly an issue with out accumulating counting stats whereas groups deal with stopping Jones and George Karlaftis. With fellow versatile move rusher Charles Omenihu set to return within the coming weeks. Wharton may very well be much more of an issue because the season progresses.
Anticipate the previous Division II unknown to have a surprisingly strong market in free company this spring if his play continues.
