The Kansas City Chiefs are hoping to start off the 2019 season with a bang. They had one of the best teams in the NFL in 2018, and the goal is to build on that performance, and exceed it. There are plenty of players who could be the catalyst to an explosive Chiefs team in 2019.
Here’s a look at several players who could be the most explosive on the team and make a big impact in 2019:
QB Patrick Mahomes
There’s no way to avoid putting Mahomes on this list. He wasn’t just the most explosive player on the Chiefs last year, he was the most explosive player in the NFL. The 2019 version of Mahomes has a chance to make an even bigger bang.
Everyone is saying that Mahomes can’t repeat his 50 touchdown and 5,000 yard performance. For a player like Mahomes that’s just the type of motivation you need to make it happen. After all, Mahomes didn’t reach his ultimate goal. He wanted to win a Super Bowl and he fell inches short of it.
He’s working on several different things to get better. From footwork and pocket presence, to transforming his body, Mahomes is going the extra mile to ensure that he can take his game to new heights in 2019.
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DE Frank Clark
Clark has a chance to get off to a hot start with his new team. He’s coming off the most productive season of his career. He’s working with a position coach in Brendan Daly, who routinely elevates the game of his players.
There’s potential for Clark to do some serious damage within the division. He combined for 4.5 sacks and 5 quarterback hits against AFC West opponents last season alone. Now that he’s going to be seeing those teams twice a year, it’s entirely possible that he could exceed 9 sacks just against AFC West teams.
The Chiefs brought Clark in to be an impact player on the defensive side of the ball and so far he’s drawing rave reviews. He’ll make you forget all about the two veteran pass rushers the Chiefs offloaded in Dee Ford and Justin Houston.
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WR Tyreek Hill
We don’t yet know how many games Tyreek Hill will play in 2019, but I can guarantee you that he’ll be playing hard and with a chip on his shoulder.
Before Hill was under investigation for allegations of child abuse, he was in talks with the Chiefs for a contract extension that would make him the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL. Now that he’s been cleared of criminal charges, he’ll be more motivated ever to remind the league that he’s one of the best players in it.
He’ll be working to earn that contract extension all over again. Though it sounds like the Chiefs will soon begin talking to Hill’s agent about an extension again, as soon as a decision on any potential punishment comes down from the NFL.
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WR Mecole Hardman
Hardman might not even be in the top 3 players on the Chiefs WR depth chart, but I’m expecting his rookie season to have some flashes of brilliance.
On special teams, you have a coordinator that likens him to former Bears return man Devin Hester. If you don’t know Hester, he was one of the most explosive return men to ever play the game. Over 3,500 punt return yards and 14 touchdowns, he’s a guy that will be in the Hall of Fame one day.
Andy Reid has been throwing everything in the book at Hardman and so far he’s absorbed it. Reid is known for having one of the more complex offenses to master, so to hear good things about Hardman’s ability be an information sponge is a positive sign.
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DT Chris Jones
Jones hasn’t been around during OTA’s and mandatory minicamp. He’s staying away from the team until he signs a new contract, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t working. He put up a personal best season in 2018, and he’s proven to be one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL.
There’s an entirely new defensive coaching staff in the building in Kansas City and Jones needs to prove himself to those coaches before they make a big financial commitment. Jones, on the other hand, has more important personal goals. One of those is helping the Chiefs reach a Super Bowl during the 2019 season.
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RB Damien Williams
One of the most highly underrated players heading into the 2019 season is Williams. The Chiefs handed Williams the starting job after a monster end to the 2018 season.Williams has earned the right to be the starter, but he needs to keep working hard and prove to the Chiefs’ brass that he deserves that role.
This team could easily go to a committee approach. They’ve got a lot of talent at the running back position. Williams is going to get the first shot, though, and he has a lot of things going for him.
I think the trust and chemistry that Patrick Mahomes has with Williams could create for one of the best RB-QB duos in the league. Really it’s going to be up to Williams and his ability to take advantage of that starting opportunity. He’s worked his way up to this point all the way from being an undrafted free agent, so I find it hard to believe that he’ll let the opportunity slip through his fingers.
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FS Tyrann Mathieu
Mathieu had a good year in Houston in 2018, but it wasn’t exactly like his 2015 season with the Cardinals, where he earned Pro Bowl and first team All-Pro honors. I think with the Chiefs, Mathieu will be able to recapture that type of success.
The Chiefs want to move Mathieu around and put him in the best situation to have success. The front office and coaching staff likened his role to that of Brian Dawkins back with the Eagles.
If Mathieu can harness that type of skill set, and produce on a similar level with the Chiefs, there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll earn the explosive title with the Chiefs.
Notable omissions: TE Travis Kelce, RB Darwin Thompson, S Juan Thornhill and WR Byron Pringle.
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