Kansas City Chiefs: 3 things to watch vs Texans in week 1
By Kole Berrey
1. Chiefs Wide Receivers vs Houston Secondary
This is an intriguing matchup in a lot of ways.
First, I am really excited to see how the Chiefs plan on using Mecole Hardman in year two. I really do believe that Hardman is going to establish himself as the Chiefs WR2 this year, separating himself from Sammy Watkins on the field. Hardman averaged over 20 yards per catch last year, and amassed 538 yards and 6 touchdowns on only 41 targets. Hardman is the kind of gamebreaker that Andy Reid can use in ways that can put stress on a defense.
The thing about Hardman having an expanded role is that it will change the role of other players, which will be a great thing. The way the Chiefs use motion, Hardman can do a little of what Tyreek Hill does in that department and be effective, which is something that is just going to put pressure on a defense. With Hill and Hardman handling all of the speed sweeps, screens, and go routes, that is going to also allow Sammy Watkins to settle into a more defined role.
Watkins is a field stretcher in his own right, but I truly believe that he would thrive as someone who stretches the field horizontally. Drag routes, slants, ins, digs, you name it, Watkins can do it. His big body allows for contested catches in traffic without the need for high pointing the ball, and allowing Watkins to have his own little niche will not only keep him fresh (he won’t have to run 1,000 Go’s a game anymore) but will also give him a defined role and comfortability in the offense.
The versatility of the Kansas City receiving corp also doesn’t bode will for the Texans. Houston’s corners are not ones that inspire a lot of confidence. Bradley Roby, Gareon Conley and Philip Gaines are guys that you might be comfortable having on your team, but not guys you are thrilled about either.
None of them match well with the Chiefs either. Assuming Lonnie Johnson Jr. tries his hand at holding – I mean covering – Travis Kelce again, you potentially are living in a world where Philip Gaines and Gareon Conley are the guys covering Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins. Yikes.