Grading The Kansas City Chiefs’ Offensive And Defensive Positional Groups

The Kansas City Chiefs have emerged as one of the greatest dynasties ever assembled. They find themselves on the brink of immortality with a chance to become the first franchise in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

The Chiefs didn’t get to this position with dumb luck or assistance from referees (despite what some NFL fans might claim). They got here because they are one of the best-run organizations in professional sports, and they have a stacked roster with high-level players in every position.

Let’s analyze KC’s position groups and give each unit a grade from A to F.

Quarterback – A

Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL, even when he’s having a down year statistically. During a season where he failed to meet his yearly averages in terms of passing yards, passing touchdowns, and quarterback rating, Mahomes still won 17 of the 18 games he started and led the Chiefs to the Super Bowl.

It’s also worth noting that the down year we are referring to – 3,928 passing yards and 26 touchdowns with a completion rate of 67.5% – would be a career year for 98% of all other quarterbacks in NFL history.

You can’t give the Chiefs’ QB any grade other than an A.

Running Back – D

I am convinced that Isiah Pacheco’s extended absence was really detrimental to KC’s running back room. Pacheco has not looked right after returning from an injury in Week 13. Since then, he has only averaged 29.3 rushing yards per game.

Kareem Hunt has taken some of the pressure off Pacheco, but his numbers aren’t much better. The 29-year-old back is only good for 55.7 ground yards per game.

Patrick Mahomes has accounted for over 30% of KC’s playoff rushing yards. That tells me that the Chiefs’ running back room is failing to meet expectations.

Wide Receiver – C

KC’s wide receivers have been good enough to help the team reach a third consecutive Super Bowl.

Rookie wideout Xavier Worthy has made a name for himself with a team-leading 11 catches on 13 targets. His 130 playoff receiving yards are second on the Chiefs to only Travis Kelce. Worthy has become one of the most important players on Kansas City’s offense.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Hollywood Brown, and DeAndre Hopkins haven’t been lighting up opponents, but they have shown up in critical moments with six combined catches for 106 yards (25.1% of all KC’s receiving yards).

The Chiefs’ wideouts have been fine but not special.

Tight End – A

Travis Kelce must have a switch he turns on when the playoffs begin. After finishing the regular season with 51.4 yards per game and three touchdowns, Kelce is now averaging 68 yards per contest and already has a touchdown in two postseason games this year. Additionally, he has almost doubled his yards per reception (8.5 during the regular season vs. 15.1 in the postseason). As long as Travis Kelce steps foot on the field with the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes, he has the potential to play like the best tight end of all time.

Backup Noah Grey can also get things done when asked. He’s a good run blocker and averages over 2.2 catches per game this year, which is more than enough when you’re backing up Travis Kelce.

Offensive Line – C

Creed Humphrey was the best center in the NFL during the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus’ grading system. He had the highest regular-season pass-blocking grade for centers and the second-highest run-blocking grade. Outside of him though, the Chiefs’ offensive line isn’t great.

Right tackle Jawaan Taylor gave up seven sacks during the regular season. Joe Thuney has allowed a sack as well as two quarterback hits in the playoffs. Mike Caliendo and Trey Smith have combined for a sack and three QB hits this postseason.

After surrendering 2.4 sacks per matchup during the regular season, KC’s offensive line has already allowed Patrick Mahomes to be taken down five times in two playoff games. Pair that with poor rushing numbers, and you’re left with an average offensive line.

Defensive Line – A

Of the ten sacks that Kansas City’s defense has this postseason, nine of them have come from defensive linemen.

Defensive end George Karlaftis looked like the player of the game against the Houston Texans after he finished the afternoon with three sacks. He also had a meaningful impact in the AFC Championship with four total tackles.

We have to give flowers to Chris Jones too, who has been the highest-graded pass-rushing defensive tackle in the playoffs. Despite constant triple-teams and double-teams, his four assisted tackles are tied for the third most on the Chiefs.

On top of that, four other KC defensive linemen have at least one sack this postseason.

This is arguably the Chiefs’ deepest unit and the group that is playing the best right now.

Linebacker – B

Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, and Nick Bolton have been the three guys anchoring KC’s linebacking corps. Tranquill is tied for the team lead in total tackles (14) while Bolton is third in total tackles (11). After that, there’s a large gap until we pick up again with Chanel, who has six total tackles.

Both Swayze Bozeman and Cam Jones have an assisted tackle. However, pretty much all of Kansas City’s linebacker production is coming from the three aforementioned guys.

I am going to give Tranquill, Chanel, and Bolton a B rather than a C because they have been asked to play so many defensive snaps. Their consistent availability is extremely important to KC’s success on that side of the ball.

Cornerback – C

The Chiefs’ cornerback room has one really good player followed by a bunch of average guys who have been solid during the playoffs.

With three pass deflections, Trent McDuffie has been one of the league’s most disruptive cornerbacks this postseason. Plus, he has only allowed seven receptions on 136 defensive snaps (eighth-fewest amongst all cornerbacks in the playoffs).

Jaylen Watson has given up three catches and only has one pass breakup in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Joshua Williams and Christian Roland-Wallace have combined for two solo tackles.

If it weren’t for Trent McDuffie, KC’s cornerback room would be the team’s weakest unit.

Safety – A

Though he sometimes lines up at nickel back, Chamarri Conner has been making a difference as a safety with 14 total tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Simultaneously, Justin Reid has 12 tackles of his own to go with a pass breakup as well as four pressures, the most among safeties in the playoffs.

Those two guys alone would be a great safety room. But the Chiefs still have Bryan Cook, Jaden Hicks, and Nazeeh Johnson, who have combined for 24 tackles in two games.

The Chiefs have playmakers across the board at the safety position. That could spell trouble for Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles, who rank last in postseason passing (138.7 yards per game).