How Brett Veach has built the Kansas City Chiefs into a possible dynasty
By Kole Berrey
Let’s start this journey through the world of Brett Veach in 2018.
Veach didn’t get a full offseason in 2017 to really flex his prowess, and 2018 was the first time he got to start running the team his way in full. It started off with two blockbuster trades that would kickstart Kansas City’s rise to power.
The Chiefs sent Alex Smith to the Washington football franchise for Kendall Fuller and a third round pick, as well as sending Marcus Peters to the Los Angeles Rams for a second and fouth round pick. These trades were huge in Kansas City, as Peters and Smith were two of the teams very best players.
These moves were tough, as well, because neither player fetched a first round return despite their recent successes. Some doubted Veach because of this, as Patrick Mahomes was unproven and the Chiefs secondary was already thin.
Past those two trades, Veach started off free agency with a bang by signing future playoff standout Sammy Watkins to a big contract. Veach was also able to sign another future playoff standout, Damien Williams, to a modest contract as well as retain key players Anthony Sherman and Dustin Colquitt.
This was also Veach’s first draft class with the team. Admittedly, this class leaves a lot to be desired.
The team didn’t have a first round pick, and in the second round they drafted Breeland Speaks, who to this point has had no on field impact. Dorian O’Daniel, Khalil McKenzie, and Armani Watts were also a part of this draft class, and none of them have had any sustained success or impact for the team.
Other moves made throughout the season included the trade for Charvarius Ward, the release of Kareem Hunt, and the extension of Damien Williams.
Conclusion: A weak draft class may have hurt Veach’s reputation a little, but the additions of players like Watkins, Ward, and Williams really set the team up for success in the future.
The Ward trade especially stand out, as the Chiefs only gave up back up guard Parker Ehinger, who never touched the field for the Cowboys. The Hunt situation also ended up being a black cloud over the franchise, but it was handled swiftly by Veach and company and they made the right decision to sever ties with the star running back.