KC Chiefs: The Top Ten Playmakers for 2015

Dec 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback

(11) throws the ball against the Oakland Raiders in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

2. Alex Smith – Quarterback

I’m sure most of you guessed that I’d have a quarterback around the top of my list. This is because despite the scrutiny that he faces, Alex Smith is one of the most important people on the KC Chiefs’ offensive roster.

Last season, Smith had a mediocre year. He threw 18 touchdown passes (none of which were to wide receivers) to six interceptions. Smith also threw for the second most yards in his career with 3,265 per his NFL.com profile.

The main reason that Smith had a mediocre showing last season is because of his lack of quality receivers. All of Smith’s touchdown passes either went to running backs or tight ends.

As stated earlier in this list, the Chiefs’ acquisition of wide receiver Jeremy Maclin gives Smith a true primary receiver to throw to.

Since coming to Kansas City in 2013, Smith has been one of the most successful quarterbacks of recent memory. The Chiefs’ win-loss record since Smith arrived in KC has been 20-12. This is a huge upgrade to the years before Smith.

I’m sure much of us would like to forget this, but from 2007-2009 the Chiefs only won a total of ten games.

Smith’s success comes from the fact that he is a very smart quarterback. He’s very good at going through his progression and making the smartest pass.

Another perk of Smith is that when the pocket collapses (which it did more often than not last season) he has the presence to know to tuck the ball and try to run for any yardage he can gain.

With a new receiver, an electric tight end, and a group of extremely effective running backs Alex Smith is in a position to possibly eclipse the 4,000 passing yard mark for the first time in his career. Sure, that will depend on how effective the rest of the receivers can be but the talent is there.

I think Smith can enjoy a breakout 2015 season.

Next: Star Of The Offense