WR DeAndre Hopkins sees significant workload in KC debut

The Kansas City Chiefs rose to 7-0 with one 27-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, remaining the NFL’s only undefeated team. Who stood out in KC’s win and which players did the team lean on to win?

As always, a closer look at the game’s snap counts provide clues as to who the coaching staff trusts, how the team is evolving and where the Chiefs might go next. Here are three things that emerged from KC’s snap counts in Las Vegas.

The biggest question about workload in week 8 was about the number of snaps newly acquired wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins could expect in his Chiefs debut just a handful of days after arriving in Kansas City. After making 23 of the Chiefs’ 72 offensive snaps (32%), Hopkins started his Chiefs career on a positive note.

Hopkins turned those snaps into three targets for two catches and 29 yards. although it was open more often. Of Quarterback Patrick Mahomes took the blame for the duo’s lone missed connection on Sundayit seems the sky is the limit for Hopkins.

While veteran Justin Watson (76%) and rookie Xavier Worthy (53%) led wide receivers in snaps taken, Hopkins was third, ahead of Mecole Hardman (29%) and Montrell Washington (7%).

Meanwhile, Worthy’s numbers (53%, 38 of 72) are below his season average he had only seen the field for less than 60% of snaps once this season (Week 3, 50%). It was a rough game at times for the rookie, despite a late touchdown that boosted his box score. I don’t consider Worthy’s dip a legitimate red flag, but something to note as the Chiefs figure out their best skill position groups and as Worthy continues to reach NFL speed.

Speaking of the Chiefs’ efforts to find the best position groups, four tight ends got significant work on Sunday, with Travis Kelce (57 of 72 snaps, 79%) and Noah Gray (52 of 72, 72%) leading the way. Kelce turned that workload into his most productive outing of the year, with a season-high 12 goals, 10 catches, 90 yards and one touchdown. It was a fitting return to form for Kelce, who has received more attention than his actual play warranted.

Gray’s box score wasn’t eye-catching, but he should be included in any discussion of the Chiefs’ most reliable weapons. Two of his three receptions resulted in a first down, and I can’t recall a time in recent history where Gray dropped a pass or appeared to be out of position when targeted by Patrick Mahomes. After consistently playing 52% of snaps during the first stretch of his NFL careerGray’s increased workload is a welcome sight.

The unfortunate news comes at the bottom of the tight depth chart, as Jody Fortson left and was later carted to the locker room after being injured trying to recover a Raiders onside kick with two minutes remaining. According to Nate Taylor from The Athletics,Fortson left the locker room on crutches. After the game, head coach Andy Reid said Fortson suffered a right knee injury and that the team would assess the damage. If Fortson’s injury is as serious as it appeared, rookie Jared Wiley may have to take on a larger workload in his rookie season. Fortson took 19 offensive snaps, compared to Wiley’s 17 against the Raiders.

After No. 2 cornerback Jaylen Watson was injured in Week 7the Chiefs’ cornerback depth immediately came under scrutiny. Watson played excellent football while KC’s other corners struggled to challenge him for the job in training camp or preseason. Nazeeh Johnson got the start in Nevada but was ruled out in the first half with a concussion. Johnson logged 18 snaps before leaving the game, leaving Joshua Williams (39 of 58 defensive snaps, 67%) as the next man up. Chris Rolland-Wallace was right behind him and took 31 photos (53%). Keith Taylor, who signed to the active roster from KC’s practice squad after Watson was placed on injured reserve, played on special teams and did not commit on defense.

Meanwhile, Trent McDuffie once again took 100% of shots as one of the best in the league.

Read more: Winners and losers from the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 8 win over the Las Vegas Raiders