Let’s start with an accomplishment by a truly dedicated player on the Chiefs, one I’ve often questioned about his commitment to football. Guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is now Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. Way to go, LDT! Over the last 4-seasons the KC lineman not only improved each campaign as a pro player but continued his studies as a medical student at Montreal's McGill University. He graduated this month and is now a full-fledged doctor of medicine. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif made a good point to those (me included) who didn’t feel he was fully into football. The Chiefs’ starting RG said having a terrific Plan B as a career option and still wanting to play football should show how much he does actually like football. Know what? I’ll buy that. No more wary eye casts from me, Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

 

With draft picks signed and players now hitting the Organized Team Activities (OTA), some key player news is already filtering out.

Not surprising, 2^nd-year QB Pat Mahomes struggled... A LOT!!! Mahomes tossed multiple picks in his OTA work as a result of some poor reads and tipped balls. Now, let’s not panic on the less-than-glowing news regarding Mahomes’ early practice performances. The rifle-armed passer has extreme confidence in his ball velocity, and he will try to rip passes through tight windows. He got away with that in college, but the speed of NFL DBs are several ticks faster than those on the scholastic gridirons. Look for less hiccups the more Mahomes plays this pre-season. And if they DO continue, then we worry.

 

WR Sammy Watkins was seen making "gotcha" grabs at OTAs. Watkins and power-thrower Pat Mahomes could make beautiful music together in 2018. But Watkins needs to remain healthy (he’s had his issues) and Mahomes must learn how to pick up defenses better. Line-calls will be important if Watkins wants to have time to race downfield to make his one-handed highlighters.

 

Kareem Hunt has stated the Chiefs’ coaches are really adding to his pass-catching assignments. Hunt is said to be even more involved in running routes and a vital target for Mahomes than he was in 2017 for Alex Smith. This makes complete football sense. Mahomes needs to be able to have a consistent proximity go-to in his first go as a starting NFL QB. Hunt won’t only be available for check-down duty as we should anticipate the 2^nd-year RB to mimic a slot-receiver at times as well as a matchup advantage on linebackers for his young QB to take comfort in.

 

Center Mitch Morse sat out OTAs. Morse is needed this year not only to bolster the middle of the o-line, but to afford Coach Reid versatility and fluidity to navigate through injuries in 2018.

 

WR De'Anthony Thomas was a no-go for OTAs as well. DAT’s roster security is tenuous at best. However, Coach Reid said Thomas is doing well in his recovery.

 

RB Spencer Ware did not participate in last Thursday's OTA work. No clarity was shed as to when Ware might make his on-field debut. Uh, given the added backfield depth GM Veach secured this off-season, the Chiefs may not be expecting Ware back in any real game-condition soon, or he may not even be part of the 2018 plan. Could be they are just waiting for his health clearance before letting the vet-rusher go.

 

WR Chris Conley was running well. Conley ruptured his Achilles in October. With Sammy Watkins, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Kareem Hunt around, Conley’s chances of being fantasy-relevant are darn slim.

 

I like the free-agent pick-up of WR Davon Grayson on May 16. He’s got a good WR-build at 61-199 and hails out of East Carolina. Grayson improved his numbers all four seasons at ECU, closing 2018 with 59-886-15.0-6 TDs. To put his 2017 work in perspective, his 59 catches and 6 TD receptions were one-off the team lead in each category. His 886 yards was also 2^nd best among ECU receivers. He shows nice route skills on tape, capable hands and playmaking chops. He participated at the NFL Combine, posting a solid 4.51x40, a 1.55x10 (quick!!) and showed some pop with 19 bench reps. Wasn’t bad in drills either.

 

TE Demetrius Harris got a one-game sit-down for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He was arrested and charged with marijuana possession in March 2017.

 

On the IDP side, SS Eric Berry and OLB/DE Dee Ford suited up and drilled in OTA this week.

 

Tanoh Kpassagnon, the massive 6’7-280 athlete and 2017 2^nd rounder out of Villanova, has been lining up at OLB rather than DE. I prefer to see him concentrate on the edge of the 3-4 alignment and dominate there. However, this is likely Coach Sutton’s way of getting Kpassagnon on the field, with Allen Bailey and Chris Jones currently manning the DE spots. Kpassagnon tipped a Pat Mahomes pass up for grabs in OTA work recently.

 

I’m hearing some glowing undercurrents from other scouts about 3^rd-round ILB Dorian O’Daniel. He’s got talented players ahead of him in Reggie Ragland and Anthony Hitchens but keep tabs on O’Daniel.

 

Speaking of the ILB environment, I’m darn excited to see Hitchens play every day. He was a fave of mine coming out of Iowa back in 2014. Ended up a 4^th round pick of the Cowboys.

 

OK, not much else to dig up at this time, and that’s not a bad thing. I’ll keep my eyes and ears open during OTA sessions. So far, MEH! Mahomes makes me nervous this year. Don’t get me wrong, I was and am thrilled the Chiefs landed the gunslinging QB. I think he was the best QB in the 2017 draft. I’m just tempering my expectations in his first go as a starter. We may have to bite-the-bullet for a season. I’m OK with that. Let’s hope the Kansas City faithful practice patience and tolerance as Mahomes figures it out in 2018.

 

John Cooney is a Senior Staff Writer for Fantasy Football Mastermind

 

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