LA Chargers: Complete roster comparison vs. Kansas City Chiefs
By Jason Reed
The offenses:
Quarterback: Advantage, Kansas City Chiefs
This is where the biggest gap of talent exists as Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in football and Tyrod Taylor is a game-manager that many believe is better suited as a backup. These two are not really close, although that is not necessarily a terrible thing to say.
Mahomes is just a freak of nature and while he has benefited from being in a great system, he would still be an elite quarterback right now if the Chargers drafted him in 2017.
Running backs: Advantage, LA Chargers
This may seem biased towards the Bolts, especially with Justin Jackson being hurt, but I do like the Chargers’ running backs more than the Chiefs’. Yes, Clyde-Edwards Helaire is really good and had a great first game, but I have to see more of it before this is a conversation.
Realistically, Austin Ekeler has the track record and the Chargers have an impressive rookie running back of their own in Joshua Kelley, who made team history in Week 1 and would have had 125 yards himself (at his current pace) if he got the 25 carriers that Edwards-Helaire did.
Wide receivers: Advantage, Kansas City Chiefs
I truly do believe that the Chargers have the best receiver between the two teams in Keenan Allen, but the gap between he and Tyreek Hill is small and the Chiefs just have so much more depth than the Chargers. The Chargers’ WR3 is Jalen Guyton. The Chiefs’ is DeMarcus Robinson (or Mecole Hardman).
Tight ends: Advantage, Kansas City Chiefs
Again, I like the Chargers’ tight ends. They have a really talented pass-catcher in Hunter Henry and a great blocker in Virgil Green. However, Travis Kelce is one of the three best tight ends in the league. Green might be the third-best tight end but it doesn’t sway it in the Bolts’ favor.
Offensive line: Advantage, Kansas City Chiefs
The LA Chargers have one of the worst offensive lines in football that took a big loss when it was announced on Thursday that Mike Pouncey will miss the rest of the season. The Chiefs’ O-line, meanwhile, is above league-average but is not top-10.
Overall offensive advantage: Kansas City Chiefs