When pondering by the highest 5 holes remaining on the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ roster final week, Arrowhead Satisfaction analyst Nate Christensen led off the listing with the extensive receiver place, particularly a wideout who can win on the skin, a “boundary receiver.”
It’s a necessity that highlights the strengths of the staff’s present receivers. Rashee Rice has confirmed to be a worthwhile high-volume weapon at his finest from the slot. Xavier Worthy has the game-breaking pace that Kansas Metropolis ought to maximize with catch-and-run, crossing routes out of the slot.
Tyquan Thornton is a real boundary receiver, however his strengths as a downfield route runner make him finest suited as a fourth complement to the three starters, much like former Chiefs wideout Justin Watson in 2022-2024.
The group may definitely imagine in Thornton’s ascension as a real “starter,” doubtlessly extra assured within the teaching employees’s skill to develop his expertise to be an even bigger issue on different routes, to the sideline and over the center.
The idea in Kansas Metropolis’s inner choices may additionally lengthen to the 2 most up-to-date draft picks on the place. Final yr’s fourth-round decide, Jalen Royals, was a boundary-dominant receiver at Utah State and will showcase that shifting ahead. This yr’s fifth-round decide, Cyrus Allen, is coming off a season enjoying almost completely within the slot at Cincinnati, so Royals may hold an edge on the newcomer by proving his skill to line up at X-receiver, beat press-man protection and make performs after the catch on slant routes, out routes and different fast hitters.
All that stated, if the staff values an instantaneous “starter” that may line up on the boundary and get open towards man protection, there are alternatives in free company. Earlier than the three free brokers who may elevate the ground of the Chiefs’ beginning rotation in 2026, we’ll get rid of a notable title from consideration:
Unlikely to suit the position: Deebo Samuel
The previous offensive weapon for the San Francisco 49ers remains to be out there, and sounds intriguing on the floor, however could be too redundant of the talents Rice brings to the desk in Kansas Metropolis. The 2 are distinctive gamers within the sense that an offense can’t (or shouldn’t attempt to) function each on the similar time.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 10: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Buffalo Payments appears to be like on throughout pregame warmups earlier than an NFL soccer recreation towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at GEHA Area at Arrowhead Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Photograph by Ryan Kang/Getty Pictures) Getty Pictures
During the last two seasons, enjoying for the New England Patriots and Houston Texans, Diggs has aligned within the slot on the vast majority of his snaps, marking the primary time since 2016 he was not primarily out extensive, in response to Professional Soccer Focus.
The transition is probably going out of age. If the 32-year-old “lost a step” in any respect, it could turn into more durable for him to win because the boundary receiver, however he nonetheless affords zone-beating savvy and is a powerful, dependable receiver in contested conditions, whether or not a soar ball or in stride with a defender draped over him.
He might be finest in a state of affairs with extra snap slots out there, and one which values yards-after-catch skill lower than the Chiefs. That stated, if either side have an interest, he will surely increase the Chiefs’ move recreation immediately.
His projected wage is almost $14 million, per Spotrac.
Oct 22, 2023; Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers extensive receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs with the ball through the second half towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at GEHA Area at Arrowhead Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Pictures
With greater than a decade of familiarity as a rival, the all-time Los Angeles Chargers extensive receiver proved he nonetheless has what a staff like Kansas Metropolis is on the lookout for in a veteran starter out extensive, regardless of turning 34 years outdated final month.
He was thrown to 122 instances whereas enjoying all 17 video games, catching 81 passes for 777 yards and 4 touchdowns. He lined up out extensive on 59% of move performs, which bucked the pattern of his profession as one of many league’s hardest protection assignments out of the slot.
Nevertheless, it’s price noting that Allen started his profession enjoying predominantly on the boundary. Over his first three years within the NFL, 80% or extra of his move snaps got here with him lined up on the skin in every season. He moved to enjoying primarily within the slot through the prime of his profession, however he was much less completely within the slot than his notion suggests.
Along with his expertise as one of many league’s most revered route runners, Allen appears like a worthwhile addition to any NFL staff’s receiving corps, however he would completely elevate the bar for the room in Kansas Metropolis.
Spotrac estimates Allen to demand slightly below $7 million in wage.
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 05: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins interacts with Kansas Metropolis Chiefs employees previous to the NFL match between Miami Dolphins and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at Deutsche Financial institution Park on November 05, 2023 in Frankfurt am Important, Germany. (Photograph by Alex Grimm/Getty Pictures) Getty Pictures
The opportunity of Hill returning to Kansas Metropolis is the most definitely addition; only a few weeks in the past, ESPN’s Nate Taylor shared his perception with 96.5 The Fan and went as much as 60% when talking concerning the probabilities of it taking place.
Should you observe Hill on any social media platform, you additionally in all probability really feel as if he desires it to occur, though it’s unattainable to rule out any “trolling.”
The familiarity with the Chiefs’ offense could possibly be a think about Kansas Metropolis’s curiosity, however Hill is just one of the best receiver out there, even when he has a extreme leg damage to get better from.
In a world the place Hill is lifeless set on making a comeback to Chiefs Kingdom, he has no cause to hurry the rehabilitation course of. The staff may problem its younger receivers to step up in 2026, and if Hill is simply out there nearer to the playoff stretch, it could nonetheless be a worthwhile signing whatever the timing.
The estimated wage for Hill is over $15 million, in response to Spotrac.
