Chiefs’ Offseason Needs: Wide Receiver

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With the Super Bowl completed, the focus of NFL fans shifts to free agency, pro days, the NFL Combine, and hearing plenty of Mel Kiper on ESPN. For the Kansas City Chiefs, there are some glaring needs for the offseason after last season’s 9-7 campaign. While the Chiefs have had two solid seasons under the helm of Andy Reid, getting back to the playoffs next season will require them to improve in various areas with the most obvious spot being wide receiver.

We don’t really need to remind anyone about the stat that made headlines across the board throughout this past season. The Chiefs went an entire season without a receiving touchdown. Yes, they have a conservative offense that focuses on getting the ball to their top playmakers, which happens to be running back Jamaal Charles and tight end Travis Kelce, but the stat is one that’s tough to swallow in the modern day pass-happy NFL.

Current Options

Dwayne Bowe – The 30-year-old receiver out of LSU has been the Chiefs best receiver for the past five years, although the last three have been modest seasons at best. He is currently clearly overpaid, as he has gradually regressed since catching 15 touchdowns back in 2010. The Chiefs will most likely cut Bowe if they can’t agree on a reduced contract, as he’s currently owed $11 million in 2015, which is not worth it for a wideout that was held out of the end zone for an entire season. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are able to reach an agreement, as Bowe has been a great locker room guy in recent years. At the same time, it wouldn’t be out of question if he wanted to pursue opportunities in a more dynamic offense.

Albert Wilson – As an undrafted rookie out of Georgia State, Wilson turned some heads in training camp and came on late in the season, posting 209 yards over the final four games. It remains to be seen if he can truly be a number 2 wideout, but he was able to provide a vertical threat the Chiefs desperately needed. In the end, depending on his performance next year at training camp, he could see himself playing solid snaps as a slot receiver.

Donnie Avery – The oft-injured speedster was supposed to be the vertical target Wilson ultimately provided late in the season. Coming in to the season, it was expected Avery would be the consistent starter opposite Dwayne Bowe, but injuries and somehow being in the coaches’ doghouse late in the season meant limited snaps and only appearing in 6 games. He is currently on the hook for $2.7 million next year.

Junior Hemingway – With all of the injuries and lack of depth in the receiving core, Hemingway had his chance to make a mark, but failed to produce much of an impact. Hemingway will be an exclusive-rights free agent in 2015.

A.J. Jenkins – Jenkins was someone I thought had a lot of promise coming out of the draft from Illinois and even after he got traded to the Chiefs for Jon Baldwin. However, it was another disappointing campaign that ended in him being placed on injured reserve in late November. He is still under contract for 2015 and if he can stay healthy, Jenkins may be able to get some slot snaps.

Other Receivers: Frankie Hammond, Armon Binns, Fred Williams, Corbin Louks, and Da’Rick Rogers.

With this group, the Chiefs have some flexibility to cut bait in various areas to save money. With this said, as a whole, the depth currently here needs plenty of improvement. While it possesses a steady number 2 contributor in Dwayne Bowe and intriguing youngsters such as Albert Wilson, it is desperately lacking a leader in the group. This leader has to be a no-doubt number one receiver. The Chiefs got a lot of heat when they failed to select a receiver in last year’s draft, instead choosing to take a backup in Dee Ford at probably their most talented position of outside linebacker. I believe this year GM John Dorsey will look to take one of the many talented college receivers with their first pick.

The Draft Field (18th Pick)

Amari Cooper, Alabama – Cooper is arguably the most talented receiver in the class and won’t turn 21 until June 17th. While Cooper might not have the size or speed of former Alabama wideout Julio Jones, he does know how to get open and has great hands. Ultimately, even in the top 10, he would be considered a safe prospect. With this being the case, the Chiefs would likely have to trade up to have a shot at him, as I could easily see the Crimson Tide wideout going all the way up at 4 to the Raiders.

DaVante Parker, Louisville – The Louisville product possess some incredible physical numbers, coming in at 6-foot-3, 208 pounds and running 4.39 forty. After missing the first seven games this past season, Parker dominated in the final six contests. Unless he falls between now and the draft, I see Parker going just outside the top 10.

Kevin White, West Virginia – The 6-foot-3, 210 pound receiver out of West Virginia truly had a breakout season in 2014 posting 1447 yards and 10 touchdowns. One thing that stands out about White outside of his strength is the ability to consistently catch the ball at its highest points. This physical nature allowed White to handle double teams with spotty quarterback play this past season.

Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma – I’ll list DGB as being a prospect out of Oklahoma, although he never suited up for them after facing consistent off-the-field troubles at Missouri that ultimately forced him out. He hasn’t played football in over a year and is a huge gamble. However, the potential can’t be ignored and with this being the case, he could turn out to be the top receiver in the class. To me, it seems like too big of a gamble, especially after seeing his off-the-field problems keep coming up during his time at Mizzou.

Jaelen Strong, Arizona State – Coming in at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, Strong is another intriguing prospect. He has the size and speed needed to be a number one at the next level. His father played basketball at Drexel and that basketball skillset presents itself in Strong’s game. In recent years, we’ve seen the basketball-player mold become much more common in the NFL.

Sammie Coates, Auburn – NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah described Coates as having “Terrell Owens’ body, Odell Beckham Jr.’s burst, and Darrius Heyward-Bey’s hands.” With this being the case, one thing he’ll need to improve is his hands. A lot of this breaks down concentration and ultimately his physical tools will be something scouts will covet.

Devin Smith, Ohio State – Throughout the Senior Bowl, Smith was able to silence some of the critics that he’s not just a deep threat. He posted some unique numbers in 2014, posting 12 touchdowns on only 33 receptions. While Smith may slip into the first round, I would be more comfortable taking one of the guys above in the first.

Philip Dorsett, Miami (FL) – Dorsett is a perfect example of a player taking advantage of pre-draft all-star games and work outs thus far. The explosiveness of the 5-foot-10 receiver turned heads at the Senior Bowl and has earned him comparisons to Antonio Brown and T.Y. Hilton. He looks to possibly be a threat to break Chris Johnson’s record combine time of 4.24 seconds. He may be a reach at #18, but could be a steal in the second round.

Free Agency

While the cap-stricken Chiefs likely won’t win out in a bidding war, there are some intriguing options out there. Some of the names that stand out include Jeremy Maclin and Randall Cobb. While I expect Cobb to stay with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, the potential of Maclin coming to Kansas City is interesting. After all Maclin went to Missouri and this could present a nice homecoming. Both Cobb and Maclin possess the versatility that can thrive in an Andy Reid led offense.

Jeremy-Maclin
Could Jeremy Maclin be returning to the state of Missouri next season?

Outlook

In conclusion, it is easy to see why this year’s receiver class is so coveted. It is stacked with top options. Aside from those listed above, there are plenty of other middle and late round targets. However, I think it would make most sense for the Chiefs to invest an early pick in one of the elite options. While, it would without a doubt be great to see them also land an elite free agent like Cobb or Maclin, it might be a bit of a long shot. Both have been rumored to be interested and in talks to remain with their current teams, whether it be through a new contract or getting the franchise tag.

In the coming weeks leading up to the draft, I’ll highlight some of the other needs on the current Chiefs’ roster.

 Follow me on Twitter @_BrandonOgle

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