Day one of Kansas City Chiefs training camp is in the books.
The players were eased in with a quick practice that lasted just over an hour. They got some quality work in, though, running 7-on-7 drills as well as full 11-on-11 scrimmages.
Keep in mind that players are not dressed in full pads yet and are not making a lot of contact with each other. The easiest evaluations to make at this time are cornerbacks versus wide receivers and noticing what personnel the Chiefs are using in certain situations.
I was among those in attendance for Kansas City's first training camp practice on Sunday. Here are my top observations on the day:
Rookie WR Xavier Worthy stole the show
After missing all of OTAs and mandatory minicamp with a hamstring injury, the Chiefs wasted no time getting him some work. He caught several passes on the day, including a 50-plus-yard touchdown bomb from starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Not only are the Chiefs getting Worthy comfortable within the offense, but they're instilling fear into opposing defenses.
The battle for the starting left tackle job is on
Perhaps the biggest storyline for Chiefs training camp this year is the competition between rookie Kingsley Suamataia and second-year man Wanya Morris for the starting left tackle job. Both players got some reps with the starting offense, and they frequently rotated in and out. The real evaluations of these players will happen when the pads come on. This battle could drag all the way through the preseason unless one of them quickly separates himself as the better player.
WRs Skyy Moore and Justyn Ross disappoint
Moore and Ross were training camp darlings last year and fans expected them to make big contributions in 2023. That didn't happen, however, as Moore failed to make an impact and Ross spent the majority of the seasons suspended. This year, they find themselves fighting just to grab a back-end spot on the roster. Both Moore and Ross dropped crucial passes in the endzone during practice today.
Joshua Williams gets the nod at No. 2 CB, but struggles
With Jaylen Watson still working his way back from torn labrum surgery, Williams got the nod at one of the starting cornerback spots during practice on Sunday. Unfortunately for Williams, he struggled to stick with multiple receivers, including this one against Hollywood Brown.
There's a lot of competition for CB depth behind Trent McDuffie, so Williams will need to elevate his game if he hopes to start opposite of him.
Rookie TE Jared Wiley gets snaps with the first-team offense
Wiley generated some hype during OTAs with a strong first impression, and that has led to him getting some run with the starters. When the Chiefs lined up in two tight end formations, Wiley was in with Travis Kelce each time. Those two could make a lethal duo, especially in the red zone. There's still a lot of proving for Wiley to do, but it's telling that the coaching staff is already comfortable with him playing with the starters.
