With NFL training camps kicking off in July, it's time to get up to speed on all 32 NFL teams. Coral Smith has the lowdown on position battles, key players and notable subplots across the AFC West.
Catch up on the Kansas City Chiefs' offseason developments and 2024 outlook below.
Training Camp Dates/Information
- Players report: July 16 (rookies); July 20 (veterans)
- Location: Missouri Western State University | St. Joseph, Missouri (fan information)
Notable Roster Changes
| 2024 Draft class | Selection |
|---|---|
| Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas | Round 1 (No. 28 overall) |
| Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU | Round 2 (No. 63) |
| Jared Wiley, TE, TCU | Round 4 (No. 131) |
| Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State | Round 4 (No. 133) |
| Hunter Nourzad, OL, Penn State | Round 5 (No. 159) |
| Kamal Hadden, CB, Tennessee | Round 6 (No. 211) |
| C.J. Hanson, OL, Holy Cross | Round 7 (No. 248) |
Preseason Schedule
- Week 1: at Jacksonville Jaguars | 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 10
- Week 2: vs. Detroit Lions | 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 17
- Week 3: vs. Chicago Bears | 8:20 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 22
2024 Schedule Notes
- Kansas City is tied for the 16th-hardest strength of schedule in 2024 based on its opponents' 2023 win percentage (.502).
- The Chiefs will play on six different days of the week in 2024 (every one except Tuesday).
- K.C. will finish the season with three of its final four games against 2023 playoff teams and three of its final four games on the road.
-- NFL Research
What You Need To Know
1) The most glaring problem for the Chiefs during their Super Bowl run last season was the inconsistency from a thin receiver unit. Kansas City worked to address that major hole by adding Marquise "Hollywood" Brown in free agency, as well as drafting speedy Xavier Worthy. Worthy, specifically, is an interesting case, as he could be expected to start Week 1 to immediately bolster the unit, but the WR also hasn't been seen much in practices this offseason as he works through a hamstring issue. His presence could be even more important if last year's leading receiver, Rashee Rice, misses time due to off-field issues. Head coach Andy Reid will be hoping these new additions can help provide what's been missing in the WR corps since Tyreek Hill's departure.
2) Production in the run game was another relative weakness for the Chiefs last year, with Kansas City finishing 19th in the league. But unlike with the passing attack, K.C. seems to be content going into 2024 with the same top two RBs. Isiah Pacheco has been a quality first-stringer in his two years, recording 935 yards and seven TDs on the ground in 2023. But behind him, Patrick Mahomes had the next-most rushing yards (389 yards), and the other three RBs on the team had fewer than the QB combined. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was re-signed as the likely backup, but had just 223 yards on 70 carries last season. This lack of quality depth after Pacheco is something to monitor as the season approaches.
3) With offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Jawaan Taylor and Trey Smith all returning after a stellar year protecting Mahomes (second-fewest sacks allowed as a unit), the only question mark on the offensive line is at left tackle. Donovan Smith started the majority of the games there last season, but is now a free agent. Wanya Morris, a 2023 third-round pick, started four games, but had just a 55.6 overall grade in Pro Football Focus' system. He could improve with a year under his belt, but just in case, it appears the Chiefs brought in some competition through this year's draft in second-rounder Kingsley Suamataia. The pair will have the chance to show off their chops in practice against Kansas City's imposing defensive line, with the results determining who will be trusted to protect a future Hall of Famer's blind side.
4) With the offense's uncharacteristic struggles in 2023, Steve Spagnuolo's defense was crucial in the title defense, including the Chiefs' dominant pass rush, which finished second in the league with 57 sacks. All of the starters in that D-line group are set to return, some with new deals, but depth is a bit of a question after Charles Omenihu tore his ACL during the AFC Championship Game. Standard recovery timelines indicate it's unlikely he returns early in the season, opening the door for other players to take on a greater role and potentially make an impact. Last year's No. 31 overall pick, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, could be one such option to step up. It's admittedly a more low-stakes problem than those facing other NFL teams, but in a search for a third straight Lombardi Trophy, ensuring quality depth in every area is crucial.
5) After a drawn-out process earlier this offseason that saw the Chiefs slap the franchise tag on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed before eventually trading him to Tennessee, Kansas City enters training camp with a vacancy at the position -- and options aplenty to move players around and fill the hole with young talent. Trent McDuffie earned first-team All-Pro honors in just his second year and should take on a larger leadership role in the group. Chamarri Conner, Nazeeh Johnson, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams and Nic Jones are other options who could duke it out for one of the other two starting spots (outside corner and nickel). All joined the league within the last two seasons. We'll have to see how this secondary depth chart takes shape in August, and how this youthful group matches up to Sneed and last year's lineup.
