Chiefs Preseason: 5 things to watch vs. Lions

This week marked the tip of coaching camp for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Thursday’s remaining apply leads into preseason Week 2: the Chiefs will host the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, kickoff set for 3:00 PM.

After a sneak peek within the exhibition opener, this week would be the workforce’s true gown rehearsal for the common season: on Thursday, head coach Andy Reid mentioned starters will “take a half.” It’s doable quarterback Patrick Mahomes exits earlier than the remainder of the primary workforce, however historical past tells us he may have an extended sufficient runway to get into rhythm.

Over the three years because the preseason shrunk to a few weeks, Mahomes has averaged over 18 dropbacks per sport in Week 2. The quantity has decreased annually, however he has new gamers at left sort out and within the talent positions to construct chemistry inside reside motion.

Listed here are 5 issues to observe within the prolonged, remaining preview of the 2024 Chiefs earlier than the season opener on September 5:

1. The receiving corps with out Hollywood Brown

The harm to vast receiver Hollywood Brown will sideline him to start out the common season and will stretch by the primary quarter of the schedule. That throws an enormous wrench within the passing machine the workforce has constructed round Brown’s expertise and numerous route tree.

It units up rookie receiver Xavier Worthy as the first vertical risk, attracting extra protection consideration than he was slated to with Brown. Nevertheless, vast receiver Justin Watson was very environment friendly on deep routes final yr: he totaled 460 yards on 17 yards per reception. Worthy could also be prioritized by opponents, however there’s an opportunity Mahomes feels nearly as good or higher concentrating on Watson downfield proper now.

Whereas Watson’s chemistry with Mahomes is powerful on the lengthy ball, the veteran receiver lacks the quickness to be as dependable on shorter, breaking throws. That’s the place third-year wideout Skyy Moore has a chance to show himself. There have all the time been flashes of expertise as a route runner, from the discharge to the break, however he has struggled to harness it throughout the rhythm of the scheme.

Saturday shall be a necessary take a look at for Moore and vast receiver Justyn Ross. Brown was going to play closely on the surface, so the workforce might worth the massive man’s playmaking on the perimeter extra.

2. Third-down protection

The Chiefs’ beginning protection confronted just one third down within the preseason opener. It was a profitable cease, however there may be nonetheless a lot to find out about how defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo needs to assault these high-leverage conditions this yr.

The unit completed sixth in third-down conversion charge final season, and that shall be arduous to repeat with out cornerback L’Jarius Sneed taking out the receiver he aligned throughout — typically the workforce’s prime weapon. With much less reliability on the surface this yr, Spagnuolo might use much less man protection on third down. That might additionally imply fewer full-out blitzes, as an alternative counting on rush stunts up entrance and zone blitzes that preserve 4 rushers by dropping out a lineman.

So it’s important that the Chiefs’ four-man rush can create stress by itself. It’s additionally essential that the safeties and linebackers present anticipation and urgency within the again finish; these positions ought to have the expertise and playmaking to assist masks a extra uncovered cornerback room.

3. How dependable the run sport could be

It might be good to permit Mahomes and the move offense a excessive quantity of reps, however the Chiefs should be cautious. Proper sort out Jawaan Taylor damage his shoulder throughout Wednesday’s apply, so he is not going to play on Saturday.

With swing sort out Wanya Morris additionally hampered at the moment, the precise edge shall be protected by fifth-year proper sort out Lucas Niang. The 2021 season was the final time Niang began, and his efficiency this camp has not even solidified his spot on the 53-man roster.

With that in thoughts, the Chiefs ought to defend themselves by limiting straight dropbacks and dealing the bottom sport a lot. It ought to enable rookie left sort out Kingsley Suamataia to do extra of what he’s greatest at proper now: getting off the ball and onto defenders shortly.

4. The rotation within the secondary

Preseason Week 1 didn’t present a lot of a take a look at the Chiefs’ battle for the second cornerback spot. Opponents Jaylen Watson, Nazeeh Johnson and Kelvin Joseph had been all sidelined, so Joshua Williams began and performed 21 snaps — 15 greater than core starters like Trent McDuffie performed.

On one snap, Williams had bother cleanly maintaining with the deep pace of Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookie vast receiver Brian Thomas Jr. The 41-yard completion, and the way uneasy Williams appeared making an attempt to defend it, is a reminder the competitors could be very a lot alive.

Watson might take pleasure in the doubt for the stableness he has proven in his profession, however hold a watch out for Johnson to show one thing in his first preseason motion since 2022.

5. The usages of Jared Wiley and Carson Steele

This week, we might be taught extra concerning the workforce’s plan for short-yardage and red-zone conditions by analyzing the beginning offense extra carefully.

Needing quick yards, will probably be intriguing to see if operating again Carson Steele takes the sphere because the fullback to pair with starter Isiah Pacheco — or if he’s the lone again himself. It might be each as a result of it’s clear the teaching employees needs to contain him within the offense. Look ahead to Steele’s fingers and pass-protection abilities to be examined on Saturday, even when it isn’t with the starters.

It can even be fascinating to see if rookie tight finish Jared Wiley can work with the starters, particularly nearer to the tip zone. In 2023 at TCU, Wiley led all FBS tight ends with 5 red-zone scores. Look ahead to his utilization in units with three tight ends.