KC Chiefs: Scariest player from every 2020 opponent
By Chris Clark
Scariest player from the Atlanta Falcons – Julio Jones
If the Chiefs have a weak link on defense, it may be in the secondary. Thankfully, Steve Spagnuolo’s ability to scheme brings hope to a cornerback group in question.
A Week 16 matchup against the Falcons could very well cause Spags to do a little extra scheming. One of the league’s top receivers could cause trouble for Kansas City’s secondary as they set their eyes on the playoffs.
Over the last decade, Julio Jones has consistently been an elite receiver in the NFL. Averaging over 1,500 receiving yards a season over the last five seasons, the 31-year-old receiver doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
At 6’3″ tall and 220 pounds, the big, physical Jones will look for ways to exploit the Chiefs’ young cornerbacks. Thankfully, the Chiefs can put up some points, which is what they’ll need to do to counteract what Jones can do when these teams meet.
Scariest player from the Carolina Panthers – Derrick Brown
The Carolina Panthers will truly look like a different team in 2020. After letting go of head coach Ron Rivera, seeing one of the league’s top linebackers, Luke Kuechly, retire, and releasing their former MVP quarterback, Cam Newton, they’ll be working to create a new identity this season.
That means that the opportunity for a new player to make a name for himself is ripe for the picking. A defensive player capable of penetrating up the middle could create trouble for Patrick Mahomes.
That player could very well be the 2020 seventh overall draft pick, Derrick Brown. Coming out of Auburn, Brown very much had a Chris Jones-like ability to wreck the backfield. If that can translate to the pros, his talent and intimidating size could spell trouble for Kansas City. The Chiefs will definitely have to be ready for this next great defensive lineman in 2020.
Scariest player from the New Orleans Saints – Taysom Hill
Few rosters across the league can rival that of the Kansas City Chiefs. One of those few teams is the New Orleans Saints.
With a long-time great coach and an aging future Hall of Fame quarterback both looking to win it all one more time, this team is one of the more serious contenders that the Chiefs will face and there’s one player in particular that they’ll have to be ready for.
While Taysom Hill is listed as a quarterback, his ability to play other offensive skill positions is something to be mindful of. Steve Spagnuolo will have to have a special plan in place when Hill is on the field.
A late-season game just before the playoffs could see the Saints employ some unique tactics in trying to overcome the most talented team they’ll likely face all year. Here’s to hoping that they’ll be able to contain a player of Hill’s ability in Week 15.
Scariest player from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tom Brady
Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs marched into Foxborough, Massachusetts last season, and slayed the dragon. It’s hard for any team to walk into New England and walk out with a victory and that feat becomes even harder for a young quarterback like Mahomes.
He did it though, and that moment felt like there was a seismic shift in the AFC landscape. Unfortunately, that dragon found a new home in Tampa Bay… and surrounded himself with some good weapons.
After a rough 2019 season that saw Tom Brady end his time in New England with an early defeat in the playoffs, it seems like he has some unfinished business. A chance to host the Chiefs and the best quarterback in the game could provide a good opportunity for Brady to redeem himself.
Now surrounded by talented receivers in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and his old reliable friend, Rob Gronkowski, Brady has some ammo to regain his lethal capabilities. While the Chiefs are clearly a better team, keep an eye on this old foe in 2020.