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Arrowheadlines: Chiefs like Cameron Erving as a swing tackle, backup center

Bold predictions for 2017 NFL season -- Kansas City Chiefs will win AFC West | ESPN

Since 2013, when well-respected coordinator Dave Toub arrived in Kansas City, the Chiefs' special teams have twice been ranked as the best in the league by ESPN's unit efficiency metric, and finished no worse than fifth the other two years. As a result, FPI projects Kansas City to hold a 0.6-point advantage (best in the league) over the average NFL special-teams unit.

Of course, special teams can only get you so far. But the Chiefs' best characteristic is the lack of a unit weakness. All three parts of their team are projected to be above average.

KC Chiefs-Tennessee Titans preseason game preview, Mahomes to start | The Kansas City Star

At least nearly everybody who started with the Chiefs (and all teams) will have gotten to suit up for four preseason games. The cutdown from 90 to 53 has to be completed by 3 p.m. Saturday. The Chiefs have some tough choices to make, like who fills out the second wide receiver corps after De’Anthony Thomas? Choose two from among Demarcus Robinson, Seantavius Jones, Jehu Chesson, Marcus Kemp and Gehrig Dieter?

Chiefs acquire offensive lineman Cameron Ervin in trade | The Kansas City Star

Erving, who played tackle at Florida State, could be an intriguing backup swing tackle for the Chiefs, who have auditioned different players there throughout camp, including Isaiah Battle and Jah Reid. Erving also offers the versatility to play guard.

Cleveland Browns trade Cam Erving to Kansas City Chiefs for fifth-round pick | ESPN

The Chiefs are set in their starting lineup at both tackle positions, right guard and center for the foreseeable future, with all four players being signed at least through 2018. The only opening for Erving in the starting lineup would possibly be at left guard; last year's starter, Parker Ehinger, has yet to play in the preseason after tearing his ACL last year.

Chiefs paying pennies on the dollar for former highly drafted players | ESPN

The Chiefs have made it more difficult for themselves in the next couple of drafts to move up in a given round for a player they covet. They packaged some picks this year so they could move up in the third round and draft running back Kareem Hunt.

That's a trade the Chiefs may not be able to make in the next two years and the type of player they may have to do without. So while dealing for former high-draft picks is not a bad strategy for the Chiefs, they need to be right about the players they are acquiring more often than not.

Why Rakeem Nunez-Roches is the Chiefs’ breakout player this season | SBNation.com

Nunez-Roches should also generate more of a pass rush than he did last season., especially against play action pass. With his get off, strength and a few nice moves I can see him being a guy that helps to collapse the pocket and make things easier for KC's edge rushers like Justin Houston and Dee Ford. And vice versa. If he stays healthy I could easily see Nunez-Roches coming home with 5+ sacks this season.

Kansas City Chiefs' Kareem Hunt ran with job last time he inherited it | ESPN

“Every running back in this league is different from each other," Spiller said. “Obviously you have bigger guys and smaller guys, but everybody does something special. The guys we have in our room, everybody can go on a different team and be successful. That’s how much confidence I have in all of the guys in the room, because we all bring something totally different. Everybody is unique in [his] own way."

Why KC Chiefs traded for Cleveland C Cameron Erving | The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs, however — and this is important — like him as a backup center and swing tackle. That’s a position of need, as I’ve gotten the sense the Chiefs haven’t been thrilled with what they have there (Isaiah Battle and Jah Reid are currently manning the spots). I still think Erving has some upside there, if the Chiefs can unlock it.

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