3 Bold Predictions for the Chiefs Heading Into Training Camp

The Kansas City Chiefs had an interesting offseason to say the least. They traded away top wide receiver Tyreek Hill, but then signed JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency. It's a move that kept the Chiefs as the favorite to earn the AFC West title behind Pro Bowl quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Preparations for the upcoming season will soon get underway for the Chiefs as rookies are set to report to training camp on July 22. Veterans will join them at Missouri Western State University soon after on July 26. Let's take a look at three bold predictions for Kansas City heading into camp.

Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp

1. Orlando Brown Jr. Reports on Time & Excels

Offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and the Kansas City Chiefs were unable to come to an agreement on a long-term contract this offseason, meaning the veteran will play on the franchise tag in 2022. Reports have claimed that the 26-year-old is considering holding out of training camp and into the regular season. When it comes down to it, the best way for Brown to prove he is worth the money he is asking for is to show up and shine along the OL. After all, he allowed only 4.0 sacks over 1,127 offensive snaps played in 2021. A similar output in 2022 means he could cash in with a massive deal.

2. Derrick Gore is Left Off Week 1 Roster

Kansas City made it clear in the offseason that they view the running back position as one of great importance. Ronald Jones was brought in via free agency, Jerick McKinnon was re-signed and Isaiah Pacheco was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. All three of those players have a better chance of making the roster alongside Clyde Edwards-Helaire than Derrick Gore does. That's because Gore has made it through waivers and to the practice squad before, so it's likely he can do it again. The 27-year-old logged 361 yards from scrimmage and 2 touchdowns for the Chiefs last season (11 games).

3. Josh Gordon Does Enough to Make Week 1 Roster

It's a different looking wide receiver group for the Chiefs entering training camp, but one that is still full of talent. Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are expected to be Mahomes' top targets with rookie Skyy Moore also factoring into the mix. That leaves players like Justyn Ross, Justin Watson, Cornell Powell, Daurice Fountain and Josh Gordon battling it out for one or two roster spots. I'll give the edge to Gordon here. While the Pro Bowler only caught five passes for Kansas City last season, his upside is much higher than the other options. Ross is still working his way back from a foot injury, anyways.

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.