The Chiefs will have a battle between two kickers who didn’t play in the NFL last season.  26-year old veteran Nick Novak appears to have a small edge heading into training camp but he’s not a slam dunk to win the starting job.  Novak has played in 16 games in his NFL career and he has made 13 of 20 field goals (65%).  He has converted all 25 of his extra points which is a bright spot for him.  Undrafted rookie Connor Barth will battle Novak for the starting job but either way the Chiefs lose.  One day they will take the kicking job seriously……likely with the next head coach in 2009.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  F

32-year old Tony Gonzalez proved that he has a lot left in the tank last season for the Chiefs.  He played in all 16 games for the Chiefs last season and he caught 99 passes for 1,172 yards (11.8 avg) with 5 TD grabs.  With young Brodie Croyle the likely starting QB this season for the Chiefs Tony Gonzalez should have another good season as the kid’s safety net.  Gonzalez has now played in 174 games in his NFL career and he has caught 820 passes for 9.882 yards (12.1 avg) with 66 TD grabs.  He also has carried the football 2 times for 14 yards (7.0 ypc) in his career.

6′8″, 270 pound Brad Cottam was drafted last April to back up Gonzalez.  He has had huge problems staying healthy at Tennessee which caused a lot of teams to cool on him last April.  Cottam played in 38 games (7 starts) in his career at Tennessee and he caught 21 passes for 341 yards (16.2 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Don’t expect miracles out of Cottam in the next few years.

24-year old Michael Allan will likely be the #3 TE for the Chiefs.  He did not even take one snap with the Chiefs as a rookie last season.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  A

The Chiefs look very young at WR heading into the 2008 season but that’s not necessary a bad thing as they have speed to burn.  2nd year receiver Dwayne Bowe was awesome last season for the Chiefs.  Bowe is a big guy at 6′2″, 221 pounds and he’s really fast.  Bowe played in all 16 games for the Chiefs last season and he caught 70 passes for 995 yards (14.2 avg) with 5 TD grabs.  Look for him to have even better numbers this time around for the Chiefs as long as they get better play from the QBs.

26-year old Devard Darling never lived up to his potential in Baltimore but the Chiefs hope a change of scenery will jump start his NFL career.  Darling played in all 16 games for the Ravens last season and he caught 18 passes for 326 yards (18.1 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  Look for Darling to have a decent season with the Chiefs but he will have to hold off Jeff Webb and rookie Will Franklin for the starting job opposite Dwayne Bowe.  Darling has now played in 19 games in his NFL career and he has caught 20 passes for 331 yards (16.6 avg) with 3 TD grabs.

6′2″, 211 pound Jeff Webb will try to expand his role on the Chiefs’ offense in 2008.  He has made most of his money on special teams in his career to date.  Webb played in all 16 games for the Chiefs last season and he caught 28 passes for 313 yards (11.2 avg) with 1 TD grab.  He also carried the ball 1 time for 5 yards last year.  Look for Webb to push Darling for the starting job this season.  Webb has now played in 26 games in his NFL career and he has caught 31 passes for 336 yards (10.8 avg) with 1 TD grab.

6′2″, 205 pound rookie Will Franklin can really fly (4.4 40) and he can move right up the depth chart with a solid training camp.  Franklin played in 14 games (all starts) at Missouri last season and he caught 49 passes for 709 yards (14.5 avg) with 4 TD grabs.  Look for Franklin to be no less than the #3 WR on the Chiefs by the middle of the 2008 season.  Franklin finished his career at Missouri playing in 48 games (36 starts) and he caught 143 passes for 2,125 yards (14.9 avg) with 14 TD grabs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  C-