5 best training camp battles for Chiefs in 2019

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 13: Running back Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes down field during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

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KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 09: Punter Dustin Colquitt #2 of the Kansas City Chiefs punts the ball down field during the first half against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

Punter: Dustin Colquitt vs. Jack Fox

Fan favorite Dustin Colquitt is a two-time Pro Bowler, but he could lose punting duties to undrafted free agent rookie Jack Fox this season. Colquitt has been with the team since 2005 and still averaged a healthy 44.9 yards per punt last season, but perhaps Fox is the competition he needs this summer.

Fox was a Ray Guy semifinalist last season for the Rice Owls and has the tools to be a starting-caliber punter in the NFL. He had 26 punts of at least 50 yards last season and was 10th in all of college football in yards per punt. Though Colquitt hasn’t been in the top 10 in yards per punt in the NFL since 2009, his numbers look better when looking at net yards per punt (the Chiefs were ninth in the league in this stat), meaning he does a good job of avoiding big returns.

Now, the punter position isn’t as important for the Chiefs as other teams, because they have the NFL’s most high-powered offense with Mahomes at quarterback and a host of quality offensive weapons. For the Chiefs, anything but a touchdown on a drive is a surprise, and a punt is a rarity. That’s why Colquitt was 30th in the NFL when it comes to the number of times he punted.

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Even so, having the best punter possible is important. Great teams like the New England Patriots emphasize perfection on special teams, because the margin for error becomes so small in late postseason games. Those are the games the Chiefs are playing for, so special teams coordinator Dave Toub and the rest of the Chiefs staff won’t overlook the punter position, even if it means potentially cutting ties with a player who has served the team well for over a decade.

Prediction: Dustin Colquitt is pushed hard but holds onto the job

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