Chiefs’ Rookies show promise in Preseason Opener

With the Preseason underway, it is the first time to see the rookies in action. Many rookies are expected to make an immediate impact in Kansas City this year. The Chiefs’ rookies showed lots of promise in the preseason opener.

Offensive Rookie Report

WR Skyy Moore

Skyy Moore was one of the more impressive rookie wideouts prior to the draft. Moore seems to be on the right track to some substantial playing time this year. During the preseason game versus the Chicago Bears, Moore was seen playing with the first and second teams. It seems as though that he will be the wide receiver No. 4 for the Chiefs this season.

During the game, the Chiefs showed that Moore may be a runner as well as a receiver this year. They repeatedly motioned him behind the line as though they had set plays to hand him the ball. Moore also impressed as a pass catcher. Two out of three of his catches were very impressive. One catch he had to climb the ladder as quarterback Chad Henne overthrew him. The other was a catch into immediate traffic where he took a big hit but held onto the football. Moore has impressed during training camp and it seems as though he is on an upward trajectory.

RB Isiah Pacheco

This seventh-round draft pick out of Rutgers was expected to fight for a roster spot. But instead, he mostly played with the starters. Pacheco was the talk of training camp this offseason. Many reports said that Kansas City was lining him up as a receiver in some formations. This type of versatility would be a game changer for the Chiefs.

During the game, Pacheco seemingly took away the first-team reps from veteran Ronald Jones. Jones was pushed back into working with the second string as Pacheco was done for the day at the same time as Patrick Mahomes. Pacheco only had three touches during the game with two rushes and one catch which ultimately set up a touchdown. The Chiefs may have hit the jackpot with this seventh-round pick as he may be the team’s new Swiss army knife.

Defensive Rookie Report

DE George Karlaftis

First-round pick George Karlaftis made his presence felt when he was in the game. He was seen rotating in with the starters as well as playing with the second team. Karlaftis is currently second on the depth chart behind Mike Danna but did see significant time with the starting unit.

During his time Karlaftis saw two quarterback hits with one being his first career NFL sack. These stats did come when the starters were done for the day. When playing with the starters Karlaftis seemed to struggle to get pressure on the quarterback as the Bears tackles held him up well. Karlaftis still has a long way to go until becoming an elite edge rusher in the NFL.

CB Trent McDuffie

Trent McDuffie was the Chiefs’ first pick in this year’s NFL Draft. McDuffie is projected to start alongside of L’Jarius Sneed  this season. With that said not much was seen from McDuffie in his first preseason game. But with corners, this can be seen as a positive as if you did notice him it would most likely be a wideout making a play on him.

The Chiefs’ front office is not concerned with McDuffie as he is the lone rookie that is projected to be a starter on the Chiefs Depth Chart this season. He will see an increased number of reps before the season starts in order to get him full acclimated to the NFL level. With that being said the Chiefs rookies showed lots of promise in the preseason opener.

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