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NFL 2017 preview: Looking at strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for all 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) talks with head coach Andy Reid during a time out during the first half of the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) talks with head coach Andy Reid during a time out during the first half of the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas City Chiefs

2016 Record: 12-4, First Place in the AFC West

The Kansas City Chiefs found their heir apparent to veteran quarterback Alex Smith by moving up to grab former Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes in Round 1 of the NFL Draft.

Mahomes won’t start this year, and he might not even be quite ready in 2018. That leaves one, possibly two seasons for Smith to finally “get over the postseason hump.”

Smith is still effective, if not overly dynamic. He has a slew of favorite weapons, including tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Expect these two to be major contributors through the air.

But the real focus remains with the Chiefs defense. This is a primary reason Kansas City managed to win the vaunted AFC West last year, and re-signing safety Eric Berry had to be a No. 1 priority.

Strengths

The Chiefs secondary, with Berry and cornerback Marcus Peters, is a top strength for Kansas City heading into 2017.

Having linebacker Dee Ford, who posted a team-leading 11 sacks last year, also helps keep any pressure off the defensive backfield. Overall, this defense remains strong even if the team had to let defensive tackle Dontari Poe walk in free agency.

And fans already know what kind of weapon Kelce is.

Weaknesses

Merely OK quarterbacking play has long paralleled Smith’s career. While calling him a game manager is a bit unfair, the Chiefs had to realize something more was needed. For now, Smith is it though.

How effective will the Chiefs offense be this season, especially with Smith a year older.

X-Factors

Adding former Toledo running back Kareem Hunt in the NFL Draft was a smart move. It will be nice to see Kansas City’s ground game be dynamic once again, considering it wasn’t last year. But will Hunt be able to nicely contribute his rookie year?

The bigger question will be whether or not the Chiefs can finally get over that playoff hump. Not just get in.