With free agency and the draft in the rearview mirror, and organized team activities and minicamps in full swing, here’s a starting lineup projection for the Kansas City Chiefs:
OFFENSE
QB: Alex Smith: This could be his final season as the starter in Kansas City after the team drafted Patrick Mahomes II.
RB: Spencer Ware: Rookie Kareem Hunt should also get a lot of work.
WR: Tyreek Hill. The Chiefs are looking for more of the same from Hill after his dynamic rookie season.
LT: Eric Fisher: The first overall pick of the 2013 draft has not played up to that status in his first four seasons.
LG: Zach Fulton: Parker Ehinger could win the job if he’s able to return after last season’s torn ACL.
C: Mitch Morse: He has been a starter since joining the Chiefs as a second-round draft pick in 2015.
RG: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif: The Chiefs showed they think Duvernay-Tardif can be one of the best in the league by signing him to a lucrative long-term contract during the offseason.
RT: Mitchell Schwartz: The Chiefs signed him last year to battle with the AFC West’s top pass-rushers and they weren’t disappointed.
TE: Travis Kelce: He took a step forward last season to become one of the best pass receivers at his position.
WR: Jeremy Maclin: He had the least productive season of his career last year, in part because of injuries.
WR: Chris Conley. He tied for third on the Chiefs in receptions with 44 in 2016 in his first season as a starter.
DEFENSE
DE: Allen Bailey: The Chiefs missed him last season when he left their lineup for the final 11 games because of a shoulder injury.
NT: Bennie Logan: His arrival as the replacement for Dontari Poe will give the Chiefs a different look up front.
DE: Chris Jones: He would have been the Chiefs’ rookie of the year in 2016 had it not been for Hill.
OLB: Justin Houston: The Chiefs are eager to have Houston play a full season, something he has done just once in the past four years.
ILB: Derrick Johnson: He should be ready for the opener despite tearing his Achilles tendon last year.
ILB: Ramik Wilson: He became a starter last season and the Chiefs weren’t aggressive about acquiring a replacement.
OLB: Dee Ford: He had 10 sacks in the first nine games last season and none in the last seven.
CB: Marcus Peters: Opponents frequently threw away from his side last season because Peters is a dynamic playmaker.
FS: Ron Parker: He’s overshadowed by Eric Berry, but Parker is a valuable defender because of his versatility.
SS: Eric Berry: Berry’s great 2016 season was rewarded in the offseason when the Chiefs gave him a contract that made him the NFL’s highest-paid safety.
CB: Steven Nelson: There could be competition for this spot, but Nelson should at least be the nickelback.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Cairo Santos: He made two walk-off, game-winning field goals last season.
P: Dustin Colquitt: He recently turned 35, but Colquitt is showing no signs of a career decline.
KR: Tyreek Hill: Hill averaged 5 yards more per return last season than the Chiefs’ next best specialist, De’Anthony Thomas.
PR: Tyreek Hill: He immediately became one of the best punt returners last season as a rookie.