KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs received an uneven performance from their draft class as a whole. Running back Kareem Hunt, picked in the third round, was spectacular for much of the season and is a strong candidate for offensive rookie of the year. But the Chiefs' other draft picks, including first-round quarterback Patrick Mahomes II, played little.
Grade: Average
Best rookie: Hunt won the rushing title on the season’s final day and finished with 1,327 yards. Even without the rushing title, Hunt’s season would have been a stunning success. He debuted with a huge game in the season opener against New England and later slumped in the middle of the season, but his diminished production was more a factor of lousy blocking and questionable playcalling than anything Hunt was doing wrong. His production went back up again late in the season, and he was named to the AFC’s Pro Bowl team.
Most improved rookie: Second-round pick Tanoh Kpassagnon was converted to outside linebacker after playing defensive line in college. He didn’t play much for most of the season while learning his new position. But Kpassagnon showed some promise in the little playing time he did see. When he received some extended action in the final regular-season game against the Broncos, he delivered a big game with a pair of sacks.
Most disappointing rookie: The Chiefs needed help at wide receiver after they lost starter Chris Conley to injury early in the season, but fourth-round pick Jehu Chesson still received little playing time until the season’s last game. He finished the season with two catches for 18 yards. Chesson could still work his way into the playing rotation next season.
Jury is still out on: Mahomes didn’t play until the final game against the Broncos, a game he started. Mahomes showed the talent that led the Chiefs to trade up to get him by completing several difficult throws, some under pressure and others while on the run. Mahomes also made some questionable decisions, but nothing that experience and good coaching won’t be able to correct. Also taking into account his play in training camp and the preseason, Mahomes has shown nothing that suggests he won’t be the player the Chiefs envisioned when they drafted him.
Undrafted rookie evaluation: Kicker Harrison Butker wasn’t pulled off the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers until Week 4, when the Chiefs needed a replacement for the injured Cairo Santos. He was quite a find. Butker missed his first field-goal attempt but then made 23 straight, setting a team record. He also broke the team mark for field goals in a season, with 38. Butker made game-winning field goals in games against Washington and Denver.