KC Chiefs: Which Rookie Will Have Biggest Impact In 2016

The KC Chiefs selected nine players in the 2016 NFL Draft. Which one of them will have the biggest impact for the Chiefs during their rookie season?

NFL rookies have a tough gig. Unlike any non-athlete, these guys are basically being watched by all of America even closer than usual during the first year of their full-time job. Some guys flourish and set all kinds of records, and others crack under pressure.

With the Kansas City Chiefs having nine drafted rookies joining Chiefs Kingdom this year, who are the ones most likely to make an impact for the organization?

First, there’s Chris Jones. Jones is a defensive tackle from Mississippi State and somehow made it out of the first round without hearing his name called. The Chiefs immediately scooped him up in round two.

Pro Football Focus called Jones one of the best picks of the draft (article quoted below), which is perfect news for the KC Chiefs, who could be losing Dontari Poe after this season.

"“As far as raw talent goes, Jones may have more than any other defensive lineman in the draft class. He posted a plus-32.5 pass rushing grade against Power Five competition, which was higher than even DeForest Buckner, who was drafted inside the top 10. He’ll immediately add some juice to the Chiefs pass rush and has the height (6-6) and length (34 ½-inch arms) to play the run on early downs.”"

While Jones might not jump right into a starting role, he’s a tremendous defensive piece that can be placed almost anywhere and help this team succeed. Being the team’s first pick in the 2016 NFL Draft will have most people saying that Jones is going to have the biggest impact this season, and I would agree.

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I also could see big things for cornerback KeiVarae Russell, who was taken in the third round. Russell also was a bit of a steal for the Chiefs, and Matt Verderame sees him as the other starting corner opposite Marcus Peters. It’d really be something if Russell could step in and steal that starting job from Phillip Gaines.

The last guy that I could seem making a big impact this season is Demarcus Robinson out of Florida. I initially gave the pick a C, simply because Robinson had been suspended on four separate occasions while in college, but the more I’ve read up on him, the more I think he could be a good piece in this KC Chiefs offense.

Robinson was a standout receiver while in the swamp, and the Chiefs are needing that type of player on their offense. They need someone who can line up opposite Jeremy Maclin and go out there and make plays. Part of the reason the Chiefs’ offense was never really taken seriously this time last year was due to that pathetic “no wide receiver touchdown” rule.

Maclin coming to town changed all of that, but he needs a partner. Robinson could be the guy to help turn the wide receiver woes around in Kansas City.

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As for the rest of the guys on the roster, it’d be surprising if they made huge impacts during their rookie season. Parker Ehinger could compete for a starting spot, but it’ll be hard to have as good of a rookie year as Mitch Morse did on the line last season.

The other two cornerbacks drafted will have to fight pretty hard to even earn a spot on the roster. Gaines will be back from ACL surgery and Steven Nelson surely has to be fired up after not making a huge impact during his rookie year last season.

Tyreek Hill could be fielding punt or kick returns and could find a role there, depending on if anything happens with De’Anthony Thomas this summer.

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Kevin Hogan probably won’t see the field much, if at all, in 2016. He’ll compete for a backup quarterback spot, or at the very least, a third string job.

Dadi Nicolas is a nice depth piece as well, but it’ll be interesting to see what kind of a preseason he has for the Chiefs.

Which rookie do you think will have the biggest impact for the Kansas City Chiefs this year?