The Kansas City Chiefs previously concluded an impressive campaign in the 2020 regular season by tallying a 14-2 record to sit atop the AFC West once again. They managed to make a return trip to the Super Bowl stage but ultimately failed to defend their title as they succumbed to the eventual champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After absorbing a disappointing 31-9 loss in the title game, the Chiefs are definitely motivated to bounce back stronger and have another shot at the championship next season. However, they will need some of their key guys to step up and deliver for them in order to make it back to the Super Bowl amid tougher competition next season.

Here are the top three breakout players for the Chiefs in the 2021 NFL season:

1. Mecole Hardman

Wide receiver Mecole Hardman is definitely headed to a good situation and will gain more opportunities to contribute to the team as he is expected to be one of the top receiving options of the Chiefs next season. Looking back, the Georgia product has already established himself as a potent threat in the Chiefs offense in just his second campaign in the league last season.

In 2020, he notched a total of 560 receiving yards on 41 receptions to go with four touchdowns through 16 games played as an occasional starter. Though the numbers don't seem quite glaring for many, Hardman has already shown glimpses of his potential over the past two years.

To add, 55 passes went to his former running mate in Sammy Watkins who recently relocated to the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason. His departure will definitely allow Hardman to gain more of those touches on the field next season. Not to mention that the 23-year-old wideout still has 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes on his corner to throw dimes towards his direction.

Heading to his third campaign with the team, Chiefs fans can expect Mecole Hardman to deal damage on the field and make an impact on the team's offensive attack alongside Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce next season.

2. Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is another player that is expected to break out after concluding an impressive rookie season. He saw immediate action in the Chiefs' starting lineup after former RB1 Damien Williams opted not to play in the 2020 NFL season. The LSU talent then made the most out of the opportunities given to him and successfully carved out a role for himself in a stacked Chiefs roster.

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In just his rookie season, Edwards-Helaire led the ground game with 803 rushing yards on 181 attempts to go with four touchdowns. He only appeared in 13 appearances due to hip and ankle injuries but there is no doubt that he could've tallied better numbers if he didn't get to miss any games last season.

Now firmly established as the top running back of the Chiefs, Clyde Edwards-Helaire will definitely have a chance to ball out and emerge as a vital contributor to the team's offense while playing in his sophomore season. A healthier campaign this time around will definitely help him in his bid to become one of the young rising stars in the league moving forward.

3. L'Jarius Sneed

The Chiefs' cornerback rotation turned out to be quite shallow as a starter in Bashaud Breeland was hit with a four-game suspension due to substance abuse to start the 2020 NFL season. Another key cornerback in Charvarius Ward also suffered a fractured hand in the team's season-opener which led him to miss a couple of games last season.

Amid all the absences, then-rookie cornerback L'Jarius Sneed was then entrusted to shoulder a heavier load on the defensive side of the field. However, he did have his fair share of struggles along the way as he went down with a collarbone injury in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite missing a handful of games, the 24-year-old still managed to bounce back as he made his return to the lineup later on.

He concluded his rookie campaign with 41 total tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions through nine games played last season. With Breeland being dropped as a free agent in the offseason, Sneed is already named as the starting left cornerback for the Chiefs.

After a decent rookie campaign, the Louisiana Tech product is projected to have a more productive season as he is set to play a larger role for the Chiefs in 2021. Kansas City is hoping that L'Jarius Sneed will emerge as a diamond in the rough for them and anchor the team's cornerback unit as they look to make another Super Bowl run.