Chiefs Rookie Stock: Knile Davis Makes Big Move As Tyler Bray Tumbles
By Ben Nielsen
Nov 23, 2012; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Knile Davis (7) rushes past LSU Tigers corner back Jalen Mills (28) at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. LSU defeated Arkansas 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Week one of the preseason is in the books, so let’s take a look at where the top rookies on the Chiefs roster stand after one week.
1. Knile Davis (Last Week: 4th)
He wasn’t perfect, but Davis had the best game of any of the rookies in last week’s preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints.
What set him apart was his diversity. He caught four of five passes thrown his way out of the backfield, ran five more times (though averaged less than two yards per carry), and had an explosive 79-yard kick return in the second half.
I really want to see him play with the first team offense tonight, especially against a top flight defense like San Francisco. Davis showed his power and quickness during his kick off return, and I’d like to see that against starting-caliber NFL players. The dude is loaded with skills, and could end up being a very big piece for the Chiefs this season.
2. Nico Johnson (Last Week: 2nd)
Johnson had a solid debut for the Chiefs last week, recording two tackles and holding his own in the middle of the Chiefs defensive front seven. He did enough to keep him in the discussion of winning the second middle linebacker spot next to Derrick Johnson.
3. Travis Kelce (Last Week: 3rd)
A catch for 17 yards, a dropped potential touchdown pass from Bray, and some indecision on blocking assignments keeps Kelce at number three on the list of Chiefs rookies.
4. Tyler Bray (Last Week: 1st)
Aug 9, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) blocks New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) in the first quarter. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
You can’t turn the ball over. Simple as that.
While all the other rookies on this list made mistakes throughout the game, none of them made a mistake as big as Bray’s. Fortunately for Bray, Tyson Hartman picked off Luke McCowns‘s first pass of the ensuing possession, so Bray’s fumble ended up not being too big of a deal. Still, Bray cannot afford to make mistakes like that while trying to win a job.
Let’s go ahead and chalk round one up to nerves. This week he has to be better – make better decisions, make better throws, take better care of the ball. The physical tools are there, but we need to see him improve mentally on the field.
5. Eric Fisher (Last Week: 5th)
A hand injury caused inconsistent play for Fisher in his debut. Fortunately, the injury was not bad enough for him to miss time during practice and he should be good to go tonight against San Francisco.
He’s going to have his hands full going up against one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL. It will be interesting to see how he handles the challenge.
Honorable Mention: Bradley McDougald
McDougald’s name seems to be popping up everywhere. Whether he is making plays in practice or during preseason games, McDougald may be making a play to make the team on the back-end of the roster. He had five tackles in the preseason game against the Saints, and looked better than the young corners – Jalil Brown and Vince Agnew – when he was on the field with them.
He’s still a long shot, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he made the team or ended up on the practice squad. How the Chiefs decided to shape their roster is going mean a lot to his chances of making the team.