2024 Kansas City Chiefs

[FootballDad]

The defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs are slightly more palatable than previous teams with the addition of 5 more white players on the active roster than last year's team. I've upgraded them to a solid "D" which is somewhat remarkable. Coached by future HOF HC Andy "Still Fat, Slightly Less of a Bastard" Reid with CF favorite Matt "Rat" Nagy as OC and Steve Spagnuola as DC. Brett Veach is a good and fair (by NFL standards) GM, Clark Hunt a very good out-of-the-way owner, they have good leadership. This year's team has a few significant changes from last year that the average DWF probably won't notice. The starting offensive line, although largely unchanged from last year (worthless LT Jawaan Taylor moved to RT, rookie Poly Kingsley Suamataia now LT) the depth is almost all white, including a rookie OT. There will also be many times this year where there will be 4-5 palefaces out on defense as well.

Total White Athletes on Roster (Starters in bold)
21 Whites total, with 6 starters. Grade: D

QB - Carson Wentz
WR - Justin Watson
"FB" - Carson Steele
TE - Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley, Peyton Hendershot
C - Creed Humphrey, Hunter Nourzad
G - Joe Thuney, C.J. Hanson, Mike Caliendo
T - Ethan Driskell
LB - Leo Chenal, Drue Tranquill, Jack Cochrane
DE - George Karlaftis, Cameron Thomas

K - Harrison Butker
P - Matt Araiza
LS - James Winchester

IR - None
PS - Cole Christiansen (LB), Swayze Bozeman (LB), Baylor Cupp (TE), Bailey Zappe (QB)

Offensively the Chiefs should be very interesting to watch. More than half-white Patrick Mahomes is a great QB, the entire TE depth is all white, and we will have the Carson Steele watch in effect. I guess we should be grateful that the Chiefs employ a white WR who is on the field for the majority of the offensive snaps, it's just frustrating how infrequently targeted Justin Watson is. This year his role will be changing a bit with Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy now running deep routes. It should open up the middle of the field a bit more for Watson and the TE corps. I expect Travis "Mr Pfizer" Kelce to have a really good year and for Noah Gray to have a breakout campaign. To say nothing of Jared Wiley, who will be a star at some point. The big news is Steele, listed as a fullback. We've had this discussion throughout the preseason, the label is a slap as he never did any fullback stuff his entire collegiate career, and didn't in preseason or camp with the Chiefs either.

On the offensive line the rookie Driskell is a backup for both sides. If you read a scouting writeup of him you would swear that you just read a black tackle description with the "long wingspan", "superb athleticism", "quick feet", etc. The Chiefs are hoping that he develops quickly to move in for the aformentioned swinging-gate Taylor and the really really awful Wanya Morris. Hunter Nourzad and C.J. Hanson are two other paleface rookies who made the roster and were both very good in preseason action. C Creed Humphrey and G Joe Thuney are two of the best in the league at their positions.

Defensively they now have Tranquill and Chenal starting at LB with Jack Cochrane coming in at MLB anytime that the oft-injured Nick Bolton needs to come out. George Karlaftis is among the better defensive ends in the league and will shortly have Cam Thomas joining him. Ahead of him on the depth chart is Mike Danna, who is a serviceable end, but better inside, Malik Herring, who is average to below-average and soon-to-be on the CF bust thread 2023 first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah. I expect that by week 3 Thomas will have his name in bold up above. Missing are any crackers in the secondary either starting, on the depth or even on the PS.

Practice squad has former NE Patriots QB Bailey Zappe on it which is a great move by the Chiefs. Preseason backups Ian Book and (black) Chris Oladokun were not confidence-inspiring. Rookie LB Swayze Bozeman was one of the camp stars for the Chiefs and will be quick to move up in case of injuries.

 

[Don Wassall]

Excellent in-depth write-up, and Andy Reid's new nickname though on the long side is funny (which makes it even funnier).

The 21 Whites on the roster is good to see, has to be a record by four or five for a Reid coached team. Looking at their off-season moves and the instant emergence of Carson Steele as clearly an NFL caliber running back, my hope is this team will see more Whites on the field as the season goes on due to injuries and under-performance. Of course injuries can work the other way but there's no doubt there's a lot of high-quality White talent on this year's roster.

 

[FootballDad]

I forgot to mention the addition of "punt god" Matt Araiza. He looks to be just as good as advertised. Besides his ability to punt the ball a country mile, he is deadly accurate at pinning opponents deep in their end. That and he's a lefty which puts a weird spin on the ball that returners aren't used to. With him, PK Harrison Butker and the LS Winchester the Chiefs are solid in the K game. Oh, and watch recent WSTD addition Hendershot blow up opposing returners, he's very good at it.

 

[El Gringo]

This article says he is rb2. It does look like they initially signed him as a fullback but his excellent play earned him a running back spot. It’s crazy how much the chiefs fans love this guy. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...-chiefs-rb-carson-steele-backup-isiah-pacheco

 

[Freethinker]

The Chiefs just keep getting better and better. A rare team that has players of interest all over the offense, defense and even special teams. FD, great write up and I don’t have much to add. Just want to say I’m rooting hard for Araiza, whose life and career was almost ruined by a fake rape accusation. Remember gentlemen, we must always “believe all women”.

 

[El Gringo]

The Chiefs just keep getting better and better. A rare team that has players of interest all over the offense, defense and even special teams. FB, great write up and I don’t have much to add. Just want to say I’m rooting hard for Araiza, whose life and career was almost ruined by a fake rape accusation. Remember gentlemen, we must always “believe all women”.

I read or heard a quote somewhere that said “ the only tears that you should ever take seriously from a woman are the ones that she cries alone” or something to that effect and it’s very true!

It’s great that the Chiefs are getting are getting more white but if they get their third Super Bowl in a row there’s no doubt that Mahomes will become in the media and dwf’s fans mind at least, the greatest quarterback of all time over Brady. I have no problems with Mahomes whatsoever. He seems like a pretty great guy but I would hate to see him surpass Brady.

 

[Don Wassall]

He won't surpass Brady unless he wins eight, yes eight, Super Bowls, a long way off if ever.

To make a comparison, I'm in a 30 year old fantasy football league consisting of a group of men who get together once a year to draft, drink and taunt. My team has seven titles, the next closest just won his fourth title last season, defeating my team in the championship even though I had the highest scoring team by far. Am I worried about him eventually surpassing me? Hell no!! I can still win titles whereas Tom Brady can't, but still, my point is don't worry about it today, and realize that the odds of any quarterback winning more Super Bowls than Brady is so low that it's not even worth worrying about.

 

[El Gringo]

He won't surpass Brady unless he wins eight, yes eight, Super Bowls, a long way off if ever.

To make a comparison, I'm in a 30 year old fantasy football league consisting of a group of men who get together once a year to draft, drink and taunt. My team has seven titles, the next closest just won his fourth title last season, defeating my team in the championship even though I had the highest scoring team by far. Am I worried about him eventually surpassing me? Hell no!! I can still win titles whereas Tom Brady can't, but still, my point is don't worry about it today, and realize that the odds of any quarterback winning more Super Bowls than Brady is so low that it's not even worth worrying about.

Don do you think that the powers that be want a white man as the goat at the “most important position in all of sports” ? Mahomes is only 28 and he’s been damn near indestructible his whole career. The rules have been changed so it’s much easier for a quarterback to survive. Tom Brady has said this much himself.

 

[Don Wassall]

Don do you think that the powers that be want a white man as the goat at the “most important position in all of sports” ? Mahomes is only 28 and he’s been damn near indestructible his whole career. The rules have been changed so it’s much easier for a quarterback to survive. Tom Brady has said this much himself.

I look at it like Wayne Gretzky's records, no one is remotely close to challenging them. Brady's seven rings are so far above, I worry about those who can't comprehend that.

 

[El Gringo]

Dont worry about me I’m fine and just living,loving laughing, learning. We shall see about this whole Mahomes thing.

Has the NHL changed the rules lately to benefit the offense? I’m totally ignorant on hockey. I also don’t think the NHL is a fair comparison whatsoever because there’s maybe two or three blacks?

 

[Gator Dad]

Given how the Chiefs have gradually whitened up, it'll be interesting to see how long they'll continue to be media darlings. My guess is not long unless they start darkening up again.

 

[Don Wassall]

Dont worry about me I’m fine and just living,loving laughing, learning. We shall see about this whole Mahomes thing.

Has the NHL changed the rules lately to benefit the offense? I’m totally ignorant on hockey. I also don’t think the NHL is a fair comparison whatsoever because there’s maybe two or three blacks?

Looking at my response above I wasn't trying to insult you, just talking in general, apologies if you took it that way.

Mahomes still needs two more Super Bowl wins just to pass Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw, who both have four, to move into second place. And even then if he gets to that point he'll still need three more to pass Brady. The way the NFL is with its designed parity, I'm just not the least bit worried about Mahomes getting there at this point in time. If Andy Reid manages to exceed what Bill Belichick did over a two decade period and the Chiefs keep winning and winning and Mahomes does get to five or six, then I'll worry a bit.

But history says it won't happen and the way the NFL is, I don't see it happening because it's assuming a lot. Just one example -- there hasn't been a black QB since Warren Moon who has been effective beyond his early 30s. Russell Wilson would be the closest and has been the best since Moon but he's 35 and has had two bad seasons in a row so his decline began in his early 30s. Brady played into his mid-40s, he was a freak of nature and if Mahomes does the same then he's deserving of the accolades he receives.

Another factor -- Reid at 66 is now the oldest head coach in the NFL by five years. Will he and Mahomes still be together say a decade from now? Highly unlikely.

 

[Don Wassall]

Wow! Posted also in the Week 2 thread.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Chiefs are putting Isiah Pacheco (leg) on injured reserve.
It means Pacheco, who suffered a gruesome-looking broken fibula in Week 2 against the Bengals, will be sidelined for at least four weeks. Pacheco is set to undergo further testing of the leg injury. Carson Steele and Samaje Perine will likely split backfield duties while Pacheco is out. Perine profiles as the pass catching back while Steele should be the early-down option and goal line runner. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is on the NFI list and can return by Week 5.

 

[FootballDad]

It's good news for Steele. I just hope that he can hold up with his running style. The bull-in-a-china-shop running is difficult to maintain in the head-hunting NFL without injury.

 

[Freethinker]

This is his chance to really break out! Chiefs games will be must watch for the next 4 (at least) weeks.

 

[backrow]

I'd be surprised if they didn't try and sign some retreat to shore up the depth, but still am hopeful that at least a good chunk of the carries will go to Steele.

 

[FootballDad]

I'd be surprised if they didn't try and sign some retreat to shore up the depth, but still am hopeful that at least a good chunk of the carries will go to Steele.

Yeah, it's tough to bring a guy in off of the street into Reid's offense. Look at Perine, he's really struggled. I think they'll bring up Denarik (sp?) Prince from the practice squad to give Steele a breather.

 

[jacque]

I hate to be the Debbie downer but Cheifs are bringing Kareem Hunt in for a visit. Reid said they’re rolling with what they have (Steele/Perine and the practice squad guys) but I just highly doubt we get a proper Carson Steele RB1 stretch.

I think best case scenario is Steele gets 10-15 touches splitting time with Perine and a vet.

The only way we get the proper Steele show is if he becomes the hot hand and makes big plays, and on the flip side, if one of the other guys ends up the hot hand, it’s bad news for steele

This is fantastic news and I’m incredibly excited but I’m still skeptical.

 

[Leonardfan]

Steele just needs to work on ball security. He had a few fumbles last year with UCLA and one yesterday. I hope he becomes a 10-15 touch guy and proves to everyone else what we here at CF have known about him since 2021.

 

[FootballDad]

The afternoon guy on the Chiefs radio network station here was evaluating RB prospects in week 3. He said "if a player is available week 3, sitting on the couch eating hot wings like you are, there is a reason for that!" And when it comes to players like Hunt, Leonard Fournette and a few others that were mentioned ("Dalvin Cook is on the Cowboys practice squad, can't even break into one of the worst backfields in the NFL!") the general consenses was that they are washed. Hunt averaged 3.8 and 3.0 YPC his last two years in the league on over 100 carries each year.

That said, I think they will sign the malcontent Hunt, but I don't really see him as more than a breather back until Clyde Edwards Helaire gets his head back on straight and is eligible to return. Yes, CEH is better than Hunt, even with PTSD.

In the meantime, I'm, like everyone else here, waiting to see the Steele show.

 

[FootballDad]

Chiefs signed former woman-beater, liar Kareem Hunt. He's signed to the PS right now, there is a chance that he never makes the active roster. I personally think that he's washed. For the Sunday nite game against the Falcons they brought up Keaontay Ingram (not a white mans name) from the PS to back up Steele and Perine.

 

[FootballDad]

In addition to the above, the also did some WSTD switching. Peyton Hendershot was waived and then signed to the PS after he cleared waivers, Cole Christiansen was moved to the active roster. The thought here is that they needed a LB WSTD more than a TE WSTD as they are thinner at LB than at TE.

 

[northwinds]

In ESPN fantasy football Steele has gone from 1% rostered to 45% rostered in the last 15 hours or so. He is projected to get 10 FF points……..

 

[jacque]

who else here just picked up Steele in fantasy?!

Got him in my dynasty, I had Pacheco and I’ll be starting Steele, my only other RBs on the roster are Shipley and Singletary, so Steele is starting for me till Pacheco is back.

If Steele kills it, maybe I’ll keep him for the year!

 

[Bucky]

It seems Hunt will leapfrog Steele, despite FF signings. History tells us dat upside. I Steele have hope he’ll be used In goal line. But this is 2nd time Chiefs have handicapped Steele. 1st with Perinne and now Hunt. I’d just say limit expectations on his opportunities.

Be great to be wrong on all my doom n gloom. Also doesn’t help he fumbled, much like Yacamelli did at Wisconsin this past weekend, after flashing prior 2 games. DWFs will hone in on that, rightfully so.