The Kansas City Chiefs’ receiving corps left much to be desired last season.
Patrick Mahomes‘ supporting cast led the league in dropped passes, with the dubious distinction weighing down an offense that was largely carried through the postseason and to a Super Bowl victory by the MVP quarterback’s heroics and coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
However, within the Chiefs’ receiving corps resides a diamond in the rough who has been simply dominant running one of Mahomes’ favorite concepts on the route tree.
Kansas City Chiefs WR Justin Watson Leads NFL in Corner Route Production
![Kansas City Chiefs' Underrated WR Leads NFL in Key Route 1 Kansas City Chiefs, Justin Watson](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/USATSI_19728483_168400517_lowres-1024x788.jpg)
While Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Xavier Worthy, and Rashee Rice will likely dominate the stat sheet and command the most attention from opposing secondaries this season, Justin Watson has developed a reputation for feasting on corner routes.
Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness put together a list of the receivers across the league with the highest grades on each route, including Watson’s dominance on corners.
“Watson’s 157 yards on corner routes trailed only George Pickens of the Pittsburgh Steelers,” McGuinness points out for PFF. “In the regular season and playoffs, while his six receptions were tied with Mike Evans for the most in the league.”
According to McGuinness, Watson posted an elite 97.5 grade on his corner routes run last season.
All told, Watson set new career highs last season, catching 27 total passes for 460 yards and three touchdowns, while averaging 17 yards per reception.
Despite the Chiefs’ wholesale investment in upgrading the receiving corps this offseason, if Watson can continue his consistency — averaging just under two yards after the catch per reception in 2023, he has the chance to remain a favorite target of Mahomes and a viable weapon in the offense.
![Kansas City Chiefs' Underrated WR Leads NFL in Key Route 2 Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Downloader.la-665169f06add0-1024x683.webp)
For More Football News:
Follow Matt Lombardo on Threads at @MattLombardoNFL. To read more of our articles and in-depth NFL coverage, click here.