This year, I\u2019ve added a new tier: Future Hall-of-Famers<\/em>. That group now includes quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and defensive tackle Chris Jones. All of them moved from the previous top category: Among NFL Elite<\/em>. Center Creed Humphrey, right guard Trey Smith and cornerback Trent McDuffie have all moved into that tier.<\/p>\n As we head into training camp, here are a few Kansas City players who might be moving up (or down) in the rankings \u2014 or at least have a golden opportunity to make a move.<\/p>\n T Josh Simmons: <\/strong>The hype train has left the station! The former Ohio State tackle has been getting rave reviews on his attitude, work ethic \u2014 and most importantly \u2014 his health. Could this be a situation similar to what we saw with Trey Smith\u2019s rookie season, where Simmons begins camp as a starter and never lets go? Based on the trajectory we\u2019ve already seen with the team\u2019s first-round pick, don\u2019t be surprised if he gets the left tackle job quickly.<\/p>\n WR Xavier Worthy:<\/strong> In his rookie season, the former Texas wideout was pressed into action a bit faster than the team probably intended. But when Rashee Rice went down at the start of Game 4, plans had to change. As the season wore on, Worthy delivered, scoring 12 total touchdowns (including playoffs), with two of his best performances in the AFC Championship and Super Bowl. Now it looks like Rice will be suspended, missing part of the upcoming season. When you combine that opportunity with the team\u2019s stated plan to bring back the deep passing game \u2014 and (hopefully) have improved pass protection \u2014 it adds up to a potential monster season for Worthy. That will start in training camp, as he and Mahomes put in the work to be on the same page downfield.<\/p>\n Others trending in the right direction:<\/strong><\/em> Guards Trey Smith and Kingsley Suamataia, tight end Noah Gray and Jake Briningstool, safety Jaden Hicks, running back Isiah Pacheco and linebacker Brandon George.<\/em><\/p>\n T Jaylon Moore:<\/strong> He\u2019s got to be wondering why he took this job (other than the nice payday \u2014 and a chance at a ring, of course). Moore went from backing up the great San Francisco 49ers tackle Trent Williams to backing up the next <\/em>Trent Williams. (<\/em>OK… it\u2019s far <\/em>too early for that hyperbole). Still, it can\u2019t be encouraging for Moore to hear the glowing reviews of his replacement before either of them hits the field in St. Joseph. But for Moore, the good news is that even if his rival gets the job, he has enough versatility to not only stick on the roster, but thrive at another spot on the line.<\/p>\n TE Travis Kelce:<\/strong> He\u2019s leaner and more motivated \u2014 but also in his 36th trip around the Sun. While we\u2019ve seen the \u201cbest shape of my life\u201d stuff about Kelce, we\u2019ve also heard general manager Brett Veach basically say the offense won\u2019t run through him any longer. In camp, I would expect the team to focus on developing its next wave of tight ends, while Kelce gets the \u201cfarewell tour\u201d treatment. He\u2019s still the GOAT (and a first-ballot Hall of Famer), but he\u2019ll likely be eating<\/em> a lot less this season (pun intended).<\/p>\n Others who could be trending in the wrong direction:<\/strong><\/em> offensive linemen Mike Caliendo and Wayna Morris, wide receivers Nikko Remigio, Skyy Moore and Rashee Rice, running backs Carson Steele and Kareem Hunt, defensive lineman Jerry Tillery and cornerback Joshua Williams. <\/em><\/p>\n With Kelce getting a reduced role, there will be plenty of reps for younger tight ends to make their move. Wiley is one who showed promise before the injury that ended his rookie season. He\u2019s tall and athletic \u2014 and seems to have soft hands \u2014 which is the exact profile for every season\u2019s training camp star. Watch for his development as soon as he\u2019s healthy enough to hit the field. He\u2019ll be easy to spot.<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As the team prepares to open camp in St. Joseph, which Kansas City players are trending up (or down)?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":80726,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-80725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\nBulls<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Chiefs](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/FKs1GJnMQ5YOYD6o-TyfMDEVdEQ=\/0x0:5129x3419\/320x0\/filters:focal(0x0:5129x3419):format(webp):no_upscale()\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/26059791\/2222301307.jpg)
<\/picture> <\/span> Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher\/Getty Images<\/cite><\/figure>\nBears<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Chiefs](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/NN5mtVqx58c_T3C6LMPYGeOGa3k=\/0x0:3741x2494\/320x0\/filters:focal(0x0:3741x2494):format(webp):no_upscale()\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/25910423\/usa_today_21303641.jpg)
<\/picture> <\/span> Kyle Terada-Imagn Images<\/cite><\/figure>\nValue (sleeper) pick: Tight end Jared Wiley<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Chiefs](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/O9tPxCaqkWPxXMWn5zFVW7R-bC4=\/0x0:2000x3000\/320x0\/filters:focal(0x0:2000x3000):format(webp):no_upscale()\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/26057588\/2181850960.jpg)
<\/picture> <\/span> Photo by Brooke Sutton\/Getty Images<\/cite><\/figure>\n