How the Chiefs can get stronger at huge receiver this offseason

The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have drafted an thrilling huge receiver every of the final two offseasons, constructing a basis for the subsequent period with two playmakers: Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.

They’re additionally the one confirmed wideouts signed for the approaching season, becoming a member of Skyy Moore within the ultimate yr of his rookie contract. 5 of the Chiefs’ 2024 huge receivers are hitting free company — and Rice’s availability for 2025 is unpredictable for well being and authorized causes.

So on this offseason, Kansas Metropolis wants so as to add wideouts. Basic supervisor Brett Veach should type a gaggle that may hit the bottom operating with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

How may he do it? Let’s see.

In-house options

Hollywood Brown

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A yr in the past, Kansas Metropolis signed Brown to a one-year deal, hoping to offer Mahomes with an skilled playmaker who would match into the Chiefs’ offense. However Brown’s preseason harm basically erased his season; we solely noticed flashes of his potential through the playoff stretch.

Execs: What little we noticed from Brown was intriguing — and performed very effectively off Worthy’s ascension as a quantity playmaker. At 28, Brown has years forward of him as an affect starter, taking part in with the sport pace Kansas Metropolis craves on the place.

Cons: Brown’s late-season flashes might be sufficient to drive up his market worth in an underwhelming group of free-agent huge receivers. He has additionally confirmed to be fragile, so the Chiefs should think about that issue.

DeAndre Hopkins

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A midseason addition, Hopkins began robust, scoring twice within the second recreation he performed for Kansas Metropolis. However his affect different by way of the common season earlier than bottoming out; he was principally a non-factor within the postseason.

For the Chiefs, it appeared Hopkins was merely a filler whereas Worthy developed and Brown recovered from harm.

Execs: Hopkins’ taking part in fashion enhances the pace of Kansas Metropolis’s major wideouts; he generally is a goal in tight home windows and within the crimson zone. An all-time nice, the 32-year-old can also be a precious mentor for youthful gamers.

Cons: Whereas having selection among the many receivers appears necessary, Hopkins could also be too gradual — and isn’t a lot of a menace after the catch, both. Besides in situational use, he doesn’t actually match into the Chiefs’ offense.

Different choices

Juju Smith-Schuster, Justin Watson and Mecole Hardman: Every of those gamers is vacating a small (albeit necessary) function within the Chiefs’ offense. There are instances to be made for retaining one and even two of those gamers, however every function would ideally stuffed by a youthful participant who may develop past it.

Free company

Tutu Atwell

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This speedy Los Angeles Rams receiver would undoubtedly match into the Chiefs’ offense. He’s coming into unrestricted free company after setting profession highs in receptions (42), receiving yards (562), and catch price (68%).

Since a lot of the notable free-agent wideouts are over 30, the 25-year-old Atwell may discover a aggressive marketplace for his providers. He possesses the pace that groups search for crossing routes and vertical patterns — and it’s exactly why Kansas Metropolis may goal him if Brown isn’t re-signed.

Dyami Brown

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A former third-round choose by the Washington Commanders, Brown can also be coming into unrestricted free company after his rookie deal. In 2024, quarterback Jayden Daniels fed him sufficient for a career-high 30 receptions and 308 yards.

Within the 2024 playoffs, Brown caught 14 of 18 passes thrown his manner, totaling 229 yards, 9 first downs and a landing. He averaged 16.4 yards per reception within the three-game stretch, displaying off downfield potential in a vertically-focused offense.

A house run commerce

D.Ok. Metcalf

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The Seattle Seahawks’ star huge receiver is scheduled to hit the open market after the 2025 season, making him a commerce candidate for this offseason. Whereas his 2025 cap hit (over $31 million) will possible result in negotiations between commerce companions, Seattle’s team-building course of may worth draft belongings over its current expertise.

If the Chiefs went for this massive swing, it might give Mahomes a downfield goal that overwhelms defenses with pace and physicality. On downfield passing ideas, the 27-year-old could be an excellent pairing with Worthy, forcing defenses to select their poison.

The draft

Luther Burden III

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The previous Missouri Tigers star shall be some of the intriguing huge receivers in April’s NFL Draft. The 21-year-old is prepared for the subsequent degree after 192 receptions for two,263 yards and 21 touchdowns over three impactful seasons in Columbia.

Whereas Burden has the expertise of a premier playmaker, the Missouri offense didn’t showcase him sufficient to provide him excessive draft inventory. Within the newest mock draft by NFL Community’s Daniel Jeremiah, Burden was not among the many first 32 picks. In different mocks, he has been chosen on the again finish of the primary spherical.

Burden has elite traits on quick-hitting performs, intermediate throws and downfield passes. He has an unbelievable really feel for locating area in condensed areas, avoiding tackles and maximizing yards after the catch on passes over the center.

Buying Burden would carry Kansas Metropolis’s passing offense to a different degree. With Rice and Worthy, Burden would type a completely deadly trio over the subsequent few seasons. Defenses would have bother accounting for all three of them.