With Organized Team Activities (OTAs) fast approaching, there is a ton of excitement surrounding the new players that the Kansas City Chiefs brought in during free agency and the draft. At the same time, there are plenty of veteran holdovers on the roster looking to make significant contributions to the team’s successes in 2022.
Some of those veterans have dealt with injuries or otherwise haven’t had the opportunity to play their best football with the team. There’s reason to believe that each of the following five players will have a shot at a breakout during their upcoming season in Kansas City.
WR Mecole Hardman
AP Photo/Peter Aiken
Hardman has previously responded to criticism over his production by pointing out that he’s playing alongside the best tight end and wide receiver in football. Well, with Tyreek Hill gone, there is going to be a big opportunity for Hardman to step up. There is certainly reason to believe that he is capable of having a breakout year too. Late in the season, Hardman started hitting his stride with Andy Reid figuring out how to best utilize him. Of receivers with more than 35 targets in 2021, Hardman had the second-most yards after the catch per reception with 12.6 per Pro Football Focus. If he can become the team’s primary deep threat in addition to his role as the team’s yards after the catch weapon, that would certainly help his chances.
LB Willie Gay Jr.
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
Gay Jr. dealt with a concussion early on in training camp in 2021, but when he finally saw the field he looked like one of the best defensive players on the team. In the final preseason game of the season, Gay suffered a toe injury that sidelined him late in training camp. He was placed on injured reserve for the early portion of the 2021 NFL season. He only played in 12 games and it took him two games to get his defensive snap count up. Despite missing time, he finished the…
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