By most metrics, the Kansas City Chiefs are among the biggest winners of free agency, keeping some of the most important pieces to a Super Bowl-winning roster in place and adding a marquee playmaker to Patrick Mahomes‘ supporting cast.
Signing Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and pairing him with Rashee Rice, who emerged as a legitimate threat as a rookie in 2023, on the perimeter should significantly upgrade Mahomes’ arsenal in the vertical passing game.
However, ESPN believes Kansas City needs to double down on its commitment to upgrade the receiving corps, listing the position as the Chiefs’ most pressing remaining need.
“The Chiefs still need more at wide receiver,” Adam Teicher writes. “Even after signing Brown. He’s signed only for the 2024 season, so his addition doesn’t eliminate the possibility the Chiefs would draft a receiver in the first or second round. Adding another veteran is also possible.”
What Does Patrick Mahomes’ Receiving Corps Currently Look Like?
Adding Marquise Brown is already an improvement over a receiving corps that dropped a league-high 41 passes in 2023.
With the NFL Draft still ahead, and some veteran bargain free agents still available, here’s a look at what the Chiefs’ receiving corps would look like in September, as currently constructed:
- Marquise “Hollywood” Brown
- Rashee Rice
- Justin Watson
- Kadarius Toney
- Skyy Moore
- Justyn Ross
While Moore has caught 43 passes for 494 yards with one touchdown in his first 30 games, he’s never quite lived up to his first-round billing. Meanwhile, after being made inactive for the Super Bowl, it isn’t inconceivable that Toney has played his final game in a Chiefs uniform.
If the Chiefs sign another free-agent receiver or invest a first-round pick at the position, it will likely be to upgrade the slot receiver role currently occupied by Watson.
Who Can Kansas City Chiefs Target at WR in the NFL Draft?
The Kansas City Chiefs are slated to pick No. 32 overall, and that selection could be earmarked to add another receiver into Mahomes’ supporting cast.
Xavier Worthy would add an element of dynamic speed the Chiefs currently lack, and could possibly be on the board when Kansas City is on the clock.
Likewise, Keon Coleman has reliable hands, is a contested-catch machine with plenty of speed to quickly develop into a big-play threat and carve out a niche in Mahomes’ arsenal alongside Brown, Rice, and All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce.
Meanwhile, if the Kansas City Chiefs wait beyond night one of the draft to address receiver, USC’s Brenden Rice, and Florida State’s Johnny Johnson are among the players who could be ideal scheme fits.
Look for Veach and the Chiefs to prioritize the position and round out a dynamic collection of explosive weapons on an offense that underperformed for stretches during a Super Bowl season.
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