KC players in PFF future 10 for 25 under 25 & PFF favorites in camp

[xen 1,010,220]

Future 10 for the PFF's top 25 under 25 team

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-future-10-for-pffs-top-25-under-25

 

Last week, we examined the top 25 NFL players under 25 years of age when the season kicks off. With any list of players at any level of sport, there is certainly to be debate as certain players may be deserving in their own right yet just missed out on a spot on the list.

 

Let’s be sure to keep in mind of our criteria: based on the cumulative body of work for each player to date, factoring in grades, signature stats and team impact. With that in mind, here are 10 players who had a chance to make the list this season, but in all likelihood have an even stronger case at it next season if they continue their level of play of late.

 

QB PATRICK MAHOMES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Handed the keys to the Chiefs’ offense with the Alex Smith trade this offseason, Mahomes will have high – but certainly tangible – expectations to live up to in the driver’s seat in 2018. Mahomes’ unreal arm talent was put on full display in his tenure with the Red Raiders and at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine, which ultimately pushed Kansas City’s brass to trade up in the 2017 NFL Draft to snag him off the board with the No. 10 overall pick.

 

In 2016, Mahomes ranked No. 2 among draft-eligible quarterbacks in adjusted completion percentage from a clean pocket and big-time throw percentage. Though he did also have the second-highest percentage of turnover-worthy throws in the draft class, there’s plenty reason to believe Mahomes can do a better job keeping the ball out of harm’s way after his proverbial redshirt year learning behind Smith and mastering head coach Andy Reid’s offense.

 

CB KENDALL FULLER, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

New Chiefs cornerback Fuller is coming off an outstanding sophomore season, as he improved his overall grade from 45.5 in 2016 to an elite 90.0 in 2017. He also allowed just 0.78 yards per coverage snap and a 56.7 passer rating when targeted, ranking No. 7 and T-No. 10, respectively, among cornerbacks with at least 166 snaps in coverage this past season.

 

Playing 88.1 percent of his defensive snaps from an inside alignment in 2017, Fuller has seemingly found a home as a slot cornerback in the NFL. He allowed a 55.0 passer rating when covering receivers out of the slot last season, ranking No. 1 among all cornerbacks with at least 25 targets.

 

Like the other one-year wonders on this list, Fuller will be tasked with proving whether his elite play in 2017 is sustainable rather than transient this upcoming season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PFF Favorites drawing early praise on defense in rookie minicamp

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-pff-favorites-draw-early-praise-on-defense

 

 

The 2018 offseason programs across the NFL kicked off this past week with franchises getting their first field look at the players they drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. With that came some impressive performances, some even enough to draw praise from their respective coaching staffs.

 

While we took a look at some of those receiving praise on the offensive side of the ball earlier this week, here now are some of those who received praise on defense in one way or the other this past week, a few of which are PFF favorites from their respective times in college.

 

CB ARRION SPRINGS, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

PFF 2017 overall college grade: 88.1

 

Signed as an undrafted free agent, former Oregon cornerback Arrion Springs is proving well worth the investment early on with the Chiefs.

 

Springs “had a few nice pass breakups on [Day 2 of the team’s three-day rookie minicamp],” per B.J. Kissel of the Chiefs’ official site. “He was consistently on the receivers’ hip and didn’t seem to let a receiver get anything easy.”

 

The 6-foot, 205-pound Texas native improved every year of his collegiate career with the Ducks, leading to a career year in 2017. He earned career highs in terms of both overall grade (88.1) and coverage grade (87.8), and he recorded 14 total pass breakups – four more than his previous two years combined.

 

Springs’ early success in camp will pay dividends for him as he continues to push for a roster spot in Kansas City. If he can improve as a tackler and more effectively defend the big play, he has a shot to be a difference-maker for the Chiefs.

[DieHard 2,061]

It would be great if Springs can develop. Next I think you have to assume Amerson is gone. Fuller is for real.

 

Nelson has the size and talent. I really hope Nelson makes a step. Contract year I think so it’s now or never. I have liked a lot of his play in the slot in Man. He still needs to earn a contract IMO.

[Chiefswinitall 60]

Good stuff.   Cb Springs!  Great signing.