Kansas City Chiefs: Five Players Who Need To Step-Up In 2014

Nov 3, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans inside linebacker Joe Mays (53) reacts after making a sack during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

JOE MAYS, Inside Linebacker

The Chiefs decided to part ways with the productive, Akeem Jordan, this off season and signed journey man, Joe Mays, to be his replacement.

Jordan only finished with 67 total tackles, but he seemed to be a good complimentary player opposite Derrick Johnson. Jordan just seemed to be at the right place at the right time, especially on running situations. The Chiefs need that same thing from Mays in 2014, if not more.

Mays is known to be a hard hitter, as we saw with Matt Schuab’s ear in 2012, and the Chiefs need that same intensity and ferociousness for their front seven. Mays numbers are similar to Jordans from 2013, as he too only had 67 tackles but, had 1 sack and also 3 passes defended. If Mays can consistently show his pass coverage skills, that could do wonders for the Chiefs on early downs against teams that like to throw on first down.

I’m not asking Mays to have a career year for the Chiefs in 2014, though that would be nice, but he does need to step up big if they want to replicate last years successes.