3 Chiefs rookies with most to prove this offseason for Kansas City to get back to Super Bowl

The Chiefs don’t need a ton of help from this year’s rookie class, but these three rookies need to make meaningful contributions for Kansas City to get back to the Super Bowl. 

Teams with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations rarely rely on a large number of rookies for immense contributions in their first seasons as professionals. The Chiefs certainly fall in that category. While they don’t need widespread contributions from their most recent draft class, they do need a few key rookies to come through and play meaningful roles during the 2021 season.

The good news for fans in Kansas City is that Patrick Mahomes is still present to trigger the NFL’s most dangerous offense. Protecting him is a concern for the team’s coaching staff, however. Several of the team’s highest draft choices were selected to keep Mahomes more upright.

Finding more playmakers on defense also continues to be a priority for the team’s front office. Any rookie that pops during the preseason will have a chance to earn serious snaps on that side of the ball.

Without further delay, read on to learn which Chiefs’ rookies have the most pressure on them heading into the 2021 regular season.

3. Trey Smith, guard

It’s somewhat rare for a sixth round pick to play meaningful snaps as a rookie, but Trey Smith has the physical tools to make a positive impact on the Chiefs’ offensive line. He may never live up to the hype he enjoyed as one of the nation’s top prep players before enrolling at Tennessee, but he could turn into a quality starter for Kansas City in relatively short order.

The presence of Joe Thuney and Kyle Long should give Smith time to develop before being thrust into meaningful snaps, barring injury. It’s still vital that he develops quickly enough to become a quality backup before the playoffs arrive. Soaking up snaps during the regular season could help the Chiefs’ starting guards be fresher when the postseason arrives.