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

2. Creed Humphrey, center

Creed Humphrey was drafted in Round 2 with the idea he can compete right away with Austin Blythe for the starting center spot. With all due respect to Blythe, the organization will be disappointed if Humphrey doesn’t win that battle sometime during the regular season.

Mahomes has a terrific knack for eluding oncoming pass-rushers, but the Chiefs offense needs to prevent interior lineman from crashing into the backfield. That’s why center play is so important for Kansas City. If the Chiefs’ offensive lineman can’t control the middle of the line it throws off a great deal of what Andy Reid wants to do on offense.

Humphrey has all the necessary athletic skills to be a quality pro. It might take him a little time to learn the intricacies of Kansas City’s offense, but the presence of other veterans on the line should help reduce his learning curve.

Humphrey might not start for Kansas City when Week 1 rolls around but they need him to be the guy anchoring the middle by the time things get serious down the stretch. Anything short of that will be considered a failure for the former Oklahoma standout.