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Wednesday marked the second day of 2019 mandatory minicamp for the Kansas City Chiefs. Find day one observations here.
Here is what stood out to me from watching practice and speaking to some of the Chiefs players:
Absentees and injuries
The non-participants on Wednesday were TE Travis Kelce, TE Deon Yelder, OL Cam Erving, OL Jimmy Murray DL Chris Jones and S Juan Thornhill; RB Damien Williams was back in the mix for team drills. Goes without saying, but no Tyreek Hill.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
Videos
Two #Chiefs videos from today -- and the first is a look at some of the early defensive drills. You might have noticed I've mostly tweeted out defensive videos. That's because the defense warms up on the side the media can shoot from. The offense works on the far side. pic.twitter.com/Y2DPW6AUoF
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
One of the cool things we've noted about #Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is his willingness to work one-on-one with guys. Here he is working with LB Darron Lee (No. 50), whom he called over himself. pic.twitter.com/StGXRamFd5
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
Observations
There was a crowd for today's practice with the #Chiefs running a season ticket holder event called "First Look." The team provided a small radio to each guest, so you could hear calls made by @mitchholthus, a nice touch the team has been doing for a few years.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
Jimmy Murray was out after leaving practice early Tuesday, and I noticed Nick Allegretti, who the #Chiefs have said they drafted because they like his center tape, more in the mix. Kahlil McKenzie snapped balls during 7-on-7 work.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
I asked starting C Austin Reiter about McKenzie's progress on his DL to OL transition: "Kahlil has made good strides. Very strong player. We've all seen his lower body. I don't know what his calf size is. I think we all took bets on that one day."
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
Second day in a row I noticed Reggie Ragland getting some early work with LBs coach Matt House and assistant LBs coach Britt Reid. Anthony Hitchens joined again later. #Chiefs developing Ragland-Hitchens 2.0 as an MLB/WLB combo to be reckoned with.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
A guy we should be talking about more is DE Alex Okafor. 6-foot-4, 261 pounds and had the defensive play of the day Wednesday by way of an easy pick-six in the flat on a Patrick Mahomes pass to his right in 11-on-11. #Chiefs probably feel they "got one" in Okafor.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
CB Keith Reaser had two interceptions during 7-on-7 work just a few plays apart from one another. Reaser picked off Chad Henne and then Chase Litton.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
Speaking of Litton and the QBs, Kyle Shurmur had a couple nice throws at practice Wednesday. Mahomes is set, Henne is set, but maybe, just maybe, QB3 is up for legitimate grabs between Litton and Shurmur.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
Wait until you see (and hear) Frank Clark at training camp. Clark is disruptive every play and isn't afraid to let the offense know about it. Clark's presence alone will make Eric Fisher, Patrick Mahomes and #Chiefs offense better before they even play a preseason game.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
I noticed Daniel Sorensen and Anthony Hitchens had nice days. The two combined for a good breakup on a pass from Patrick Mahomes to John Lovett during 11-on-11. With Juan Thornhill out, Sorensen was everywhere on Wednesday. Jordan Lucas was also in the mix.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
The best throw and catch of mandatory minicamp came Wednesday. During 11s, Mahomes rolled to his left and threw off his hip on the run to find Mecole Hardman down the left sideline. Byron Pringle had an outstanding catch in the end zone from Henne late during red-zone work.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
It was a great day across the board for wide receivers. After a bad drop in individual work, Mecole Hardman was perfect in team. Sammy Watkins also looked good. Mahomes slightly overthrew Watkins on a pass 40-50 yards in the air that stirred up the crowd.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
I find that Mahomes and Watkins may still be a bit away from perfect chemistry with one another. This isn't a great concern for me, as it is so early, but it's there.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
I noticed Darwin Thompson getting some premier time Wednesday, which was refreshing. Carlos Hyde looked to be getting into a groove with Mahomes in the backfield. He called signing with the #Chiefs "a dream come true" after practice, citing willingness to use RBs in pass game.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
Remember these two names when it comes to the roster bubble: H-back John Lovett and WR Rashard Davis. Lovett does not drop passes, and if he can play special teams, he'll be hard to cut. Davis is playing his way into the conversation.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019
After all the positives from Wednesday, I have one glaring negative, so bear with me: If the NFL season started tomorrow, the #Chiefs would not have a true starting tight end on their roster able to go. Highly concerning.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2019