Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford may have picked the wrong time to line up offside Juan Thornhill Jersey Mens , but he picked the right year to rack up 13 sacks. Ford now heads to free agency, unless the Chiefs opt to hold him in place via the franchise tag.“That’s out of my control,” Ford said, via NFL.com. “If it happens, it happens, and I don’t mind it.”He should mind it. Pass rushers have significant value in the NFL, and players maximize their value only by hitting the open market. While the franchise tag will entail great money (likely more than $15 million if tagged as a linebacker with the possibility of arguing that he’s entitled to the significantly higher defensive end tender), a first-day-of-free-agency contract for a high-level player at a high-value position becomes a multi-generational proposition.Ford also said that his first preference would be to stay put with the Chiefs.“That’s the option,” Ford said. “Of course, that’s home to me. I love the community and I’m just used to that environment, so I’ll be blessed to be able to stay. We’ll cross that bridge once when we get there.”Before they get there, Ford will have to make it healthy through the Pro Bowl, which entails a paltry payday in comparison to what he’ll make on his next deal. If Ford emerges healthy from a game that doesn’t count Bashaud Breeland Jersey , he’ll be counting lots of dollars soon — the only question is whether he gets more than $15 million guaranteed on a one-year deal or perhaps more than $50 million fully guaranteed on a multi-year contract with the Chiefs or someone else.A long-term deal with the Chiefs may be difficult to pull off, given the raw number of talented young players whom the Chiefs will be signing now and in the future. Unless the Chiefs will be clearing out a large chunk of veteran players, it won’t be easy to keep Ford, to extend Tyreek Hill and/or Chris Jones, and to plan for the mammoth contract that eventually will be paid to Patrick Mahomes.Kansas City Chiefs stock report after Week 1 STOCK UPWide receiver Tyreek Hill and quarterback Patrick MahomesLet’s get the obvious out of the way. Hill scored twice in the first quarter and again in the fourth. Mahomes threw four touchdowns, and appeared in full command of the game. These two might just be the most dynamic and exciting duo in the NFL... maybe even in NFL history before they’re done. That may sound like hyperbole, but there’s literally no ceiling on what these guys can do. Enjoy it.Linebacker Dee FordA sack and four quarterback hits for No. 55 show that Ford is healthy again. The plays he made in pursuit — both against the run and chasing the the quarterback — remind us of the unique speed he brings to the position. He’s still not stout enough against the run, but he was productive and disruptive against the Chargers. That’s a very good thing for the Chiefs defense.The Chiefs run defenseIt wasn’t a perfect game for the revamped front seven of the Chiefs, but they generally were very solid against the run. In 74 defensive snaps, they held Melvin Gordon to 64 yards rushing. Everyone got into the act, including Ford, Ron Parker, Derrick Nnadi Anthony Sherman Jersey , Chris Jones, Anthony Hitchens and Justin Houston. At least on the ground, the offseason focus on defense seems to be paying off.Wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas and fullback Anthony ShermanOn a team loaded with playmakers, advantages often come to guys that the opposing defense least expects to see touches. The misdirection on the goal line left DAT waltzing into the end zone, and one of the real highlights of the day was the beautiful pass from Mahomes to Sherman. Mahomes showed great faith in his fullback beating a linebacker down the field — even though Sherman was covered at the time he released it. Great offenses are able to spread the ball around. Role players like DAT and Sherman have to capitalize — and in week one, they did.Head coach Andy ReidThe head coach’s creativity was on full display. “Playing to the strengths of your players” sounds like a cliche, but it was clear that Reid had a great game plan for the Chargers, and the Bolts had no clue how to stop it.Formations like the play below — and the touchdowns to Thomas and Hill at the goal line — were works of art.Others trending in the right directionSteven Nelson, Derrick Nnadi, Dustin Colquitt, Spencer Ware, Ron Parker, Marcus Kemp and Chris JonesSTOCK DOWNLinebacker Terrance SmithMany were surprised that he was still on the roster Dustin Colquitt Jersey , but he has some obvious value on special teams. However, the fact that he’s in there on defense — and just running into blockers — is frustrating. I hope we see more of Dorian O’Daniel in the very near future when the Chiefs need an inside linebacker not named Ragland or Hitchens on the field.Running back Pat MahomesYes, you read that right - running back Patrick Mahomes.There’s no question the Chiefs have their game-changing franchise quarterback. At this point, the only thing that could derail his career would be getting hurt. Mahomes took some hits in this game — some of which were unnecessary. We love his aggression and willingness to move the chains. But he’s got to be more careful about sliding, pitching the ball on the option, and getting out of bounds when he should. The Chiefs versus running backs in the passing gameChargers running backs accounted for nearly half of Philip Rivers’ passing yards. The Chiefs aggression on defense hurt them on a number of screen passes. Rivers was also able to get the matchups he wanted down the field — like Austin Ekeler against Hitchens.Anyone trying to cover Keenan AllenAllen had a big game, catching eught passes on 11 targets for 108 yards and a touchdown. Most often, it was because Orlando Scandrick was either biting on the route for the touchdown, or just getting outplayed; Allen beat Fuller for the catch that set up the Chargers’ final touchdown. I actually think Scandrick (and Kendall Fuller, too) did some good things against the Chargers, but sometimes the guy lined up across from you is just better on that play. Others trending in the wrong directionDemarcus Robinson, Alex Ellis and the Chiefs’ tackling.STOCK FLATLinebacker Anthony HitchensHitchens was in on 15 tackles — two for a loss — against the Chargers. I saw a lot of fans on Twitter disparaging his coverage ability after giving up a touchdown to a running back. He also missed a couple tackles, as did the rest of the defense. But its plays like this one that re-affirmed Hitchens is who we thought he was: a real steadying force at the inside linebacker position. He’s got great instincts Rashad Fenton Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys , can close, and loves to hit people. Anything he can do in coverage is gravy.Tight end Travis KelceI nearly put Kelce on the STOCK UP list, because this week, he showed signs of being a real, complete tight end; his blocking was on full display for many of the big offensive plays. But he only had one catch on six targets, and he was remarkably far short of the consistent production we’ve come to expect. It’s a safe assumption that the Chiefs might only be able to feature one or two of their playmakers each week. Kelce’s day is coming.Others who are who we thought they wereKareem Hunt, Sammy Watkins, Justin Houston