Throughout the 2022 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Below you will find a Week 1 roundup for the Kansas City Chiefs in our consensus 2022 NFL Power Rankings.
ESPN -- Rank: 4
Who's on the hot seat: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Edwards-Helaire hasn't been a bust, but the 2020 first-round draft pick hasn't had the impact expected of one. He is in no danger of losing his job, but the Chiefs will have to decide on his fifth-year option at the end of this season. The addition of rookie Isiah Pacheco to the running back group could lead the Chiefs to decline the option if Edwards-Helaire doesn't have a big season.
Edwards-Helaire hasn't been a bust, but the 2020 first-round draft pick hasn't had the impact expected of one. He is in no danger of losing his job, but the Chiefs will have to decide on his fifth-year option at the end of this season. The addition of rookie Isiah Pacheco to the running back group could lead the Chiefs to decline the option if Edwards-Helaire doesn't have a big season.
NFL.com -- Rank: 7
Is a monster Patrick Mahomes season incoming? The prevailing narrative all offseason centered around the trade of Tyreek Hill and how that would limit Kansas City's offense going forward. Which, you know, makes sense: Hill is one of the greatest playmakers we've ever seen. But you could argue that Kansas City's offense was due to move in a new direction -- many Chiefs fans agreed after the second half of the AFC Championship Game. Do I think Mahomes wishes he still had Hill on his team? Sure. But do I also think Mahomes and Andy Reid revel in the opportunity to reinvent the attack and unleash a fresh assault on the enemy this season? Hell yes, I do.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 3
They have to get creative to replace Tyreek Hill on offense, but Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes will make it work just fine. The question is whether the pass rush is good enough.
The Athletic -- Rank: 2
The good news: The Chiefs have, at worst, a top-three quarterback, a top-three offensive line and a top-three offensive schemer. It might be as simple as that.
The bad news: Kansas City has the hardest schedule in the league. So even if it looks like the best team in the AFC, any playoff run figures to include having to win on the road.
Nugget to remember: In addition to their difficult schedule, the Chiefs also might be facing some injury regression after finishing 2021 as the healthiest team in the league by Football Outsiders' adjusted games lost. We'll find out this year just how powerful Patrick Mahomes is.
The bad news: Kansas City has the hardest schedule in the league. So even if it looks like the best team in the AFC, any playoff run figures to include having to win on the road.
Nugget to remember: In addition to their difficult schedule, the Chiefs also might be facing some injury regression after finishing 2021 as the healthiest team in the league by Football Outsiders' adjusted games lost. We'll find out this year just how powerful Patrick Mahomes is.
The Ringer -- Rank: 3
Tyreek Hill is no longer in Kansas City. Neither are defensive starters Tyrann Mathieu, Charvarius Ward, Jarran Reed, and Anthony Hitchens. But the straw that stirs the drink, Patrick Mahomes, isn't going anywhere, and that's why the Chiefs rank so highly to start the season. In a down year by his standards, Mahomes threw for 4,839 yards and 37 touchdowns and ranked second in the league in expected points added (EPA) per dropback in 2021. The Chiefs go as he goes, and he remains the biggest cheat code of any player in the NFL.
Yahoo! -- Rank: 3
A key player to watch early is rookie receiver Skyy Moore. It didn't seem through the preseason like he'll be a big part of the offense early on, but his versatility could be a nice asset through the season. Perhaps coach Andy Reid has an early-season plan for the rookie too.
PFT -- Rank: 4
How are they not more widely regarded to be ready to get right back to where they've been for four straight years?
Previous updates:
- Kansas City Chiefs 2022 Power Rankings Roundup: Post-Draft
- Kansas City Chiefs 2022 Power Rankings Roundup: Post-Super Bowl 56
More Kansas City Chiefs pages:
- Kansas City Chiefs Mock Draft Roundup
- Kansas City Chiefs Snap Counts
- Kansas City Chiefs Franchise Leaders
- Kansas City Chiefs Fantasy Football SOS
- Kansas City Chiefs Draft History
- Kansas City Chiefs Schedule
- Kansas City Chiefs Tickets
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