Fansided

NFL training camp 2015: Priming all 32 teams

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) carries the ball as Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin (93) defends during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) carries the ball as Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin (93) defends during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Overview

Head coach Andy Reid is entering his third season with the Kansas City Chiefs, and he is hoping to see a breakthrough. Reid improved the Chiefs from 2-14 to 11-5 with the help of quarterback Alex Smith. Kansas City then regressed to 9-7 last year after suffering a litany of injuries including Derrick Johnson, Eric Berry and Mike DeVito.

In the offseason, general manager John Dorsey was aggressive. Dorsey signed receiver Jeremy Maclin to a five-year, $55 million deal before inking safety Tyvon Branch and trading for Pro Bowl guard Ben Grubbs. Dorsey was also able to keep Ron Parker on a $30 million deal while Tamba Hali and DeVito accepted pay cuts totaling $9.5 million.

Major Battle

The interior of the line is going to be a brawl. After Rodney Hudson left for the Oakland Raiders in free agency, the Chiefs drafted Mitch Morse in the second round to compete with third-year veteran Eric Kush. At right guard, Jeff Allen projects to battle with Zach Fulton and Paul Fanaika. Fulton started all 16 games as a rookie last year while Fanaika was signed to a three-year deal in the offseason. Allen has been a starter his whole career, but was limited to one game due to injury in 2014.

Expectations

The projections for Kansas City are all over the place, but there are realistic thoughts of winning the AFC West for the first time since 2010. The Chiefs have one of the premiere defenses in the game and with the addition of Maclin, have an opportunities to stretch defenses. Add in the services of Jamaal Charles and Travis Kelce, and Kansas City could be a compelling team come playoff time.

Next: San Diego Chargers

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