The Kansas City Chiefs have been the Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes show for the last couple of seasons. However, the Chiefs cannot lean on those two alone forever.
One NFL analyst has named two potential diamonds in the rough that could steal the conversation quickly in 2024. Mike Johrendt of ClutchPoints named Jaden Hicks and Louis Rees-Zammit as the two hidden gems.
He started by talking about Hicks, a rookie safety from Washington State University.
“Hicks, who entered the league after spending three years with the Cougars, racked up over 150 tackles across 1,500-plus snaps. Having spent most of his time playing down in the box this past season, Hicks profiles as a typical NFL safety with his athleticism and flexibility.”
He then mentioned incoming rugby transplant Rees-Zammit as a potential speed burner.
“Having looked solid in rookie camp, Rees-Zammit brings 4.4 speed to a running back group in Kansas City that lacks depth. While Isiah Pacheco is entrenched as the team’s starter, the group behind him is quite muddy. … While fighting an uphill battle as he looks to transition sports, don’t be surprised if a few electric preseason plays come because of Rees-Zammit’s speed.”
With Rees-Zammit coming from a football-esque sport, he may have a leg up on a typical rookie learning curve. If that is the case, his arrival may imitate Kareem Hunt’s rise with the Chiefs.
Kansas City Chiefs continue pressure-packed offensive overhaul
Michael Jordan has lamented in the past that completing his three-peat was like lifting a weight off of his shoulders. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, having already won two championships in a row, may be subjected to the same pressure this season.
However, their pursuit of the first three-peat in the Super Bowl era comes during a robust offensive overhaul.
Once upon a time, Kelce, Mahomes, Hunt, Tyreek Hill and Andy Reid were on the same squad. Now, fans argue that Mahomes, Reid, and a 35-year-old Kelce are all that remain.
Reid and Mahomes are seemingly still at least half a decade away from their retirements. As such, it falls on the surrounding roster to refresh in time to grant another window.
Before that, however, the Chiefs need a fresh boost this season. Otherwise, if they wish to get another shot at a three-peat, they would need to start again. The few years of dominance would be lost.
With that in mind, the Chiefs have taken some additional swings on offense in the 2024 NFL Draft. Their first three picks all fell on offense, as Kansas City selected wide receiver Xavier Worthy, tackle Kingsley Suamataia, and tight end Jared Wiley.
Will the all-in radical rebuild pay off in 2024?
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