Considering the 10 Kansas City players whose stock is rising the most after seven days of camp.
On Sunday morning, the Kansas City Chiefs returned to their field at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph for another practice of the team’s 2024 training camp.
This was the seventh of 19 public sessions on the practice field next to MWSU’s Spratt Stadium. 11 of the remaining practices will be open to the public — click here for details and a full schedule — while one more will be open only to the team’s Season Ticket Members.
Chiefs Studios’s editor-in-chief Chiefs Studios and lead analyst Taylor Bell were there. As usual, Pete and Ron posted observations on social media. On Sunday, they focused on the camp’s 10 biggest risers.
With three padded practices in the books and a light workout set for Monday, it is a good time to identify Chiefs players whose stock is on the rise. I'll provide five on offense before turning it over to @Ron_Kopp on the defensive side.— Chiefs Studios (@pgsween) July 28, 2024
1. Kingsley Suamataia
I would not call it a perfect camp for Suamataia, but I'm not sure that was to be expected for a rookie entering the NFL. After the first few days of rotating with Wanya Morris, Suamataia has been taking all the top-team left tackle reps in padded work.— Chiefs Studios (@pgsween) July 28, 2024
At times, Morris has looked more solid than Suamataia: in particular, in pass pro. But the #Chiefs remain bullish.
Andy Reid: “You’ve got to be able to back-to-back-to-back these things, and he’s working his tail off doing that. And then the mental part. We’re throwing a ton at…— Chiefs Studios (@pgsween) July 28, 2024
2. Deneric Prince
One of last year's training camp darlings has re-emerged this year, and Prince has been getting the work at RB2 since the Chiefs put the pads on. Prince has showcased the same pass-catching ability he did last year. His challenge will again be pass pro.— Chiefs Studios (@pgsween) July 28, 2024
In one-on-one protection drills Sunday, Leo Chenal got Prince on the first rep. Prince looked better in his second try going against Swayze Bozeman, and he will need to continue to show that progress as camp (and eventually the preseason) carries along.— Chiefs Studios (@pgsween) July 28, 2024
3. Irv Smith Jr.
When the Chiefs drafted Jared Wiley in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, it was easy to say the writing was on the wall for Smith, considering we know how Kansas City feels about Noah Gray, and, of course, Travis Kelce. But Smith's come on this weekend.— Chiefs Studios (@pgsween) July 28, 2024
The former second-rounder had at least nine catches during scrimmage work Saturday and Sunday, including three touchdowns. I know Andy Reid would prefer to have four tight ends on the roster so long as they prove capable.
Smith is doing that so far, in my view.— Chiefs Studios (@pgsween) July 28, 2024
4. Xavier Worthy
On draft night, the messaging was KC didn't just like Worthy as a speed guy; it relished his football IQ and his route-running ability. Just because it's Reid's playbook, I think I kind of assumed he would be brought along slowly. I don't believe that anymore.— Chiefs Studios (@pgsween) July 28, 2024
The speed is indeed one thing, but his ball-tracking ability may be an elite trait, one that could instantly compare with some of the better receivers in the league. A scary weapon for Patrick Mahomes, evidenced by his viral moment in the opening days of camp.— Chiefs Studios (@pgsween) July 28, 2024
Talking with Kansas City's personnel staff, they foresaw this as a possibility. GM Brett Veach noted Worthy came out of high school, didn't red shirt, then had nearly 1,000 yards and 12 TDs as an 18-year-old true freshman... at Texas. That indicator is playing out early.— Chiefs Studios (@pgsween) July 28, 2024
5. Nikko Remigio
Remigio was going to be on my watch list anyway, but OC Matt Nagy going out of his way to call him an "absolute true professional" during OTAs raised my awareness even more. At times, Remigio is working in with the first team, but the key is Dave Toub likes him.— Chiefs Studios (@pgsween) July 28, 2024
When he spoke on Saturday, Toub singled him out as a player who has been doing a very good job on special teams, and it's stood out that in a camp with Mecole Hardman and Kadarius Toney around, Remigio tends to get the first returner rep, if not the second. Trending up, for sure.— Chiefs Studios (@pgsween) July 28, 2024
Honorable mention: Montrell Washington
I won't begin to try to figure out how KC fits Washington on the 53, but his downfield ability has been noticeable. Washington is working with the second team currently, but I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a look with the top team soon.— Chiefs Studios (@pgsween) July 28, 2024
And then Ron took his turn on his own thread.
1. Bryan Cook
To say B-Cook is 100% recovered from his ankle injury last yr would be an understatement. The primary free safety is still showing impressive range over the top
He should’ve had an INT of Mahomes today; Cook stayed with Worthy downfield and had 2 hands on the ball— Taylor Bell Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 28, 2024
The red zone is where Cook has shined the most in Camp. His catch-up speed in the condensed area has beat Mahomes a few times. Today, he came from behind Skyy with good timing to knock a would-be TD away
He also ripped at Pacheco’s arms to cause a fumble in team— Taylor Bell Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 28, 2024
2. Felix Anudike-Uzomah
We haven’t seen Felix w/ the 1st team much, but it’s clear FAU has made progress physically — generally stronger, more fluid in his pass-rush technique
He has been stuck in 2nd team periods, but we did see a 1st tm pass-rush package w/ Felix on the edge— Taylor Bell Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 28, 2024
He comes off the ball with a better forward lean into engagement, and he transitions faster and smoother from his punch to a rip through
He also had a stretch of disruptive run D in 2nd team red zone/goal line today. Driving through blocks or powering through an OL’s shoulder— Taylor Bell Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 28, 2024
3. Chamarri Conner
The 2nd-year safety is picking up where he left off last yr. His role as the Nickel was situational last year, but that package looks like it could be KC’s base formation in ‘24
When McDuffie has moved into the slot, Conner has manned the SS spot seamlessly— Taylor Bell Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 28, 2024
His urgency to the ball and physicality at the point of attack were his most proven traits as a rookie, and that only ramps up a/ experience
That’s shown in camp. He made a few jarring hits on Saturday, and broke hard on a Noah Gray out in 1v1s today to blow up a would-be catch— Taylor Bell Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 28, 2024
4. Drue Tranquill
The value of Drue last year was filling the MIKE role, but this camp has shown off Tranquill’s skills as the WILL — Willie Gay’s former spot
Whether he’s chasing down a stretch run, picking up in coverage, or blitzing, he’s doing it with impressive urgency— Taylor Bell Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 28, 2024
It starts with how easy it looks for him in coverage. He ran the route for both Pacheco & Wiley in 1v1s today, preventing an in-rhythm throw
He has also popped in run D. On Saturday, he blew up one outside run by taking on Creed in a lane— Taylor Bell Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 28, 2024
5. Kelvin Joseph
It’s easy for me to admit Joseph wasn’t enough on my radar coming into camp. But he has earned his way into this list, especially Sunday
He took advantage of Nazeeh & Watson sidelined and rotated in as the 2nd/3rd starting CB— Taylor Bell Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 28, 2024
Joseph made a big statement with back-to-back defended passes while covering Worthy Sunday
On the 1st, he came down hard on a slant and prevented X from securing it
The 2nd, he stuck with Worthy on a 10-12 yard out, reaching in and backhanding the ball away from inside leverage— Taylor Bell Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) July 28, 2024
Monday’s session will begin at 9:15 a.m. Arrowhead Time. It will be open to the public. As always, we will have live updates after practice begins. After it concludes, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will be speaking with reporters.
https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2024/7/28/24208188/chiefs-training-camp-day-7-observations-july-28?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
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