The Kansas City Chiefs Need Moore On Offense

One of the little reported items during the lockout talk has been the change in the way the Chiefs view Dexter McCluster. Gone is Dexter McCluster, OW (Offensive Weapon). Say hello to Dexter McCluster, RB. Frankly, the Merlin crystal ball is fuzzy on this move. For some reason, the Chiefs have decided that they will get more out of McCluster as a RB than they would moving him around, playing WR and RB. I can see some value in this. McCluster looked effective as a RB last year. Jamaal Charles, as wonderful as he is, can not handle a full load at running back. Thomas Jones is aging and may be close to done. McCluster does have the ability to spell Charles, but function as a similar type of player. Agree or not, this is the move. The problem is that this does open a hole at slot receiver. Currently, the Chiefs do not have a logical candidate on the roster to fill that spot. The best move available is to fill this with a free agent. What receiver possesses the good hands, quickness, elusiveness and toughness to function in the slot? My choice after the jump.

Assuming the old CBA rules are reestablished, Lance Moore will be an unrestricted free agent. Moore has been a vital cog in the Saints passing machine over the last couple of years. When evaluating a slot receiver, you look for a high number of catches, first downs and a high percentage of caught balls. How does Moore rate? As a slot receiver, he caught 66 balls for an average of 11.6 yards per catch. Of those 66 catches, 40 of them were for first downs. That is a 60.61% first down percentage. How are his hands? Over his career, Moore has caught 63.18% of the balls thrown to him. So, what you have here is a reliable slot receiver that will get you first downs and keep the chains moving.

Why would Moore want to go from the Saints to the Chiefs? This is a harder question to answer. The Saints have a large number of free agents. Scott Pioli tends to be a late player in free agency, waiting for the market to settle down and deals to emerge. This time, be may have to move fast. While the Saints are busy trying players like Roman Harper and David Thomas, the Chiefs could come in with a solid offer and steal Moore from the Saints. Moore would be another reliable, effective target for the Chiefs. His acquisition would give the Chiefs potentially a very dangerous set of skill players. The Chiefs should make a couple of veteran free agent signings. Filling the slot receiver spot is the most important need on the offense and arguably the most important need on the team.