KC Chiefs: Four position battles to watch for in 2019
By Chris Clark
There’s no question that the KC Chiefs are one of the NFL’s top-tier teams. On a top-tier team like the Chiefs, position battles only become more intense. Let’s take a look at the most significant position battles heading into the 2019 season.
The Kansas City Chiefs began organized team activities this week. In a season where Super Bowl aspirations are high, these activities become all the more important in determining the 53-man roster.
Among the most important groups to keep an eye on, there are four that currently rank towards the top of the list.
Linebacker
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It’s undeniable where the Chiefs have emphasized the need for improvement this offseason. After ranking as one of the worst defenses in the league in 2018, the Chiefs hope to have made major strides on that side of the ball. One position, in particular, that looks different for 2019 is the linebacker group.
As a result of the change from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense, gone are outside linebackers Dee Ford and Justin Houston. That change in the defensive scheme could mean big changes at the inside linebacker position as well. A player like Anthony Hitchens will likely be a better fit, where a player like Reggie Ragland could be the odd man out.
The Chiefs also brought in former Dallas Cowboys linebacker, Damien Wilson, after the scheme change was made. This would lead fans to believe that he was targeted as a fit for the new defense. Also, just last week, the Chiefs traded a sixth-round draft pick to the New York Jets in exchange for a former first-round draft pick in Darron Lee.
With AFC West tight ends like the Chargers’ Hunter Henry and the Broncos’ first-round pick, Noah Fant, Lee looks like an even better trade as a coverage linebacker. The Chiefs’ roster now looks to have both size and athleticism at the position depending on the defensive package. It’ll be tough for all the current linebackers to be on the 53-man roster when the season begins.
It appears as though general manager Brett Veach is really stiffening up the competition with the linebacker group. Add to the mix young and hungry players like Dorian O’Daniel, Ben Niemann, and rookie free agent, Gary Johnson, and it only increases the competition.
Not only do the Chiefs appear loaded up with a lot of options at the position, but there’s another big element at work here as well.
Early in the offseason, the Chiefs landed up-and-coming defensive coach, Matt House, to coach up the linebackers. His experience at both the college and professional level will make him an incredible asset in helping to improve the defense.
Chiefs Kingdom should keep their eyes on the linebackers headed into 2019 because of the talent and competition as well as the coaching that’s now in place.