KC Chiefs: Five Most Disappointing Players In 2015

KC Chiefs Biggest 2015 Disappointments – Number 5: Phillip Gaines

Phillip Gaines was a third-round draft choice by the Chiefs in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was drafted to fill a need in the secondary after the Chiefs’ corners struggled at the end of the 2013 season.

Gaines played in 13 total games in the 2014 season (starting five games) and looked to be a decent option as a starting corner, especially while Sean Smith served a three-game suspension to kick off 2015.

With Sean Smith hitting the free agency pool this offseason, Gaines could be the team’s permanent starting corner alongside Peters moving forward.

Little did Chiefs fans know that Gaines would ONLY be playing in those three games. He tore his ACL after a week three match-up in Green Bay and wouldn’t see the field again. He recorded five tackles and defended four passes in 2015.

It was disappointing to say the least, as Gaines was supposed to be a solid option in the secondary for the Kansas City Chiefs this season. As good as Smith and rookie Marcus Peters were in 2015, imagine how much better this secondary could have been with Gaines in the fold.

None of this is to say that Gaines can’t pick it up and be effective in 2016 because I think he can. With Sean Smith hitting the free agency pool this offseason, Gaines could be the team’s permanent starting corner alongside Peters moving forward.

Hopefully, Gaines can stay healthy and make an impact in the secondary next season.

Next: FRESHMAN!