Early Reactions From Day 1 of Chiefs Training Camp
Overreacting to the first glimpses of the 2021 Chiefs
Happy Training Camp, friends!
The Kansas City Chiefs start their journey to avenge a Super Bowl defeat with the opening of Training Camp in St. Joseph, MO this week! Fans got their first look at the 90-man roster Brett Veach and company put together for the 2021 campaign.
We got our first new information about the outlook of key position battles on this team with the first public practice. Here are some takeaways and what they could mean moving forward.
Trey Smith starts at right guard
One of the biggest things I was watching for was who gets the first look at the right guard position — and the Chiefs’ sixth-round pick out of Tennessee got the nod out of the gate over veteran Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.
In a fascinating battle where the presumed starter — Kyle Long — will miss the entirety of the St. Joseph experience and return to the team when they head back to Kansas City, the rookie Smith has earned a chance to entrench himself in the trenches for the Chiefs.
The battle is far from over for playing time, but the head start for Smith could be enough to allow him to hold onto the spot.
Smith is better than his draft slot but medicals played a significant factor in where he went. The talent has obviously shown, and he’s been able to earn opportunities day three picks rarely get.
The domino effect of Smith holding the right guard spot could be significant. Does that potentially push Kyle Long out to right tackle to compete with Mike Remmers and Lucas Niang? Speaking of Niang.
The swing tackle
It’s been assumed that Niang and Remmers are in a battle for the right tackle spot. With Remmers getting the first look, Niang was on the completely opposite side of the line on the second team — lining up at left tackle with the reserves.
It’ll be fascinating to see how much run Niang gets on the right side, but he’s in a unique situation. The team needs him to be ready at left tackle should something happen to starter Orlando Brown Jr. — he’s easily the best fit (only fit?) to play there if needed.
However, Niang is also presumably battling for a spot in the best five at right tackle, all while the former third-round pick is getting his first training camp under his belt as a 2020 opt-out.
With Creed Humphrey firmly grasping the starting center role and Smith starting at guard, the Chiefs also may not want three rookies lined up next to each other to protect Patrick Mahomes.
It could be an uphill battle for Niang to make the best five, and if his reps are primarily at left tackle, they could be focusing on him being available as a true swing tackle rather than competing for a starting spot.
I don’t think there’s much a right tackle battle involving Niang. Not a knock on him, but I think 2021 is a chance for him to develop and be ready for either side of the football.
Sneed moving around
Another big early sign is second-year cornerback L’Jarius Sneed kicked inside to the slot in nickel situations during the first practice. This has been a big question throughout the offseason — as Sneed had success both inside and outside in his stellar rookie campaign.
Former Minnesota Viking Mike Hughes appeared to get the first look at outside cornerback in nickel when Sneed moved inside — another fascinating development as he seems like a much better fit to simply kick inside in the slot.
DeAndre Baker appeared to get some run with first unit as well — and his inability to carry vertically was on display as he was blown past by Mecole Hardman. He too was lined up outside.
Linebacker rotation
While Willie Gay Jr. reportedly shined in coverage, Ben Niemann appeared to be on the field with him in three linebacker looks.
Early on it does not appear anyone has been able to take the former undrafted free agent away from first-team reps yet. Niemann has been able to carve out a career by earning the trust of the coaching staff, and to this point, in practice, the Chiefs are waiting on the talent of Nick Bolton to overtake the experience and knowledge that Niemann has in this defense.
Back to Gay Jr., he is easily the player that can change the outlook and capabilities of the second level of the Chiefs’ defense. His athleticism and coverage ability could help the Chiefs see significant gains.
Find me on Friday and Saturday
I’ll be at Training Camp on Friday and Saturday this week, walking around practice. If you see me, say hi! I’d love to thank you personally for following what we’re doing here at KCSN!