Kansas City Chiefs could try to make play for big-time receiver
The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a Super Bowl victory. Although, will they run it back with their receivers or add a star on the outside?
Who needs Tyreek Hill?
That was the thought process of the Chiefs, who traded Hill to Miami last offseason for five draft picks. The result was a remade wideouts room with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Justin Watson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling brought in via free agency. Kadarius Toney came over from the Giants in a midseason trade, and Skyy Moore was selected in the second round. Incredibly, only Mecole Hardman was a holdover.
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Ultimately, Kansas City’s receivers accounted for 2,653 yards (Smith-Schuster led the group with 933). Meanwhile Hill accounted for 1,710 yards by himself on South Beach. Still, the Chiefs went 14-3, earned the AFC’s top seed and won their second Lombardi Trophy in four years.
Moving forward, though, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has a decision to make. With Smith-Schuster, Watson and Hardman all hitting free agency, there’s significant uncertainty for Patrick Mahomes and his weapons.
Which leads to an interesting question: will Veach make a play for an elite receiver this offseason?
While the free-agent market is barren — the best receivers out there are Smith-Schuster, Jakobi Meyers and Allen Lazard — there are some other intriguing possibilities.
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For starters, keep an eye on the Arizona Cardinals and former All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins. After serving a six-game suspension to begin the 2022 season, Hopkins played in nine games and posted 64 receptions and 717 yards with three touchdowns. With two years and $34 million remaining on his deal, the Chiefs could trade for Hopkins on what amounts to a pair of one-year pacts, with no guaranteed money left after a trade.
There’s also the potential of signing Keenan Allen, who could be released as a cap casualty by the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. Allen is scheduled to make $21.7 against the cap, and with the Chargers needs to cut $20.5 million to be compliant, the veteran is a prime candidate to get his walking papers.
If Allen becomes available, his versatility and route-running would be welcome in Kansas City, where he could get revenge twice on his former team. At 31 years old, Allen becomes a short-term answer who won’t cost as much.
For the Chiefs, there aren’t many needs, but receiver is one. How they attack it will be very interesting.
